Why Temping Is the Smartest Summer Move for Pharmacy Students

If you’re a pharmacy student staring down a summer of textbooks, unpaid internships, or retail shifts that make you question your career choices, hit pause.

There’s a smarter move.

Temping through a platform like Relief Buddy is quickly becoming the go-to summer hustle for pharmacy students across Canada. And it’s not just about extra income (although that’s pretty sweet too). It’s about setting up your career before you’ve even graduated.

Let’s break down why working temp shifts this summer is the power move pharmacy students need to make.

1. Build Real-World Experience (and a Resume That Stands Out)

You can only learn so much from lectures and labs. Temping gives you front-line exposure to:

• Real patients
  
• Real systems (dispensing, verification, insurance)
  
• Real pharmacists who could become mentors or references

Whether you’re assisting behind the counter or helping with compliance, every shift is a step closer to being job-ready.

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2. Earn While You Learn (at Rates That Actually Matter)

Forget minimum wage student gigs.

Pharmacy assistant shifts on Relief Buddy often pay higher than local competitors (check them out for yourself!), and some summer surge shifts offer even more for short-notice coverage. Plus, you can:

• Filter shifts that match your skills
  
• Accept jobs that fit around your classes or travel plans
  
• Stack hours when you want, or pause when you don’t

3. Explore Clinics, Pharmacies & Regions Before You Commit

Not sure if you want to work retail or hospital? Big chain or independent? Downtown or rural?

Temping lets you test different settings across Loblaw, PharmaChoice, neighbourly locations, local community pharmacies and remote towns with high patient loads. It’s career exploration without long-term commitment.

4. Boost Confidence & Communication Skills

One shift in a new setting forces you to:

• Communicate clearly under pressure
  
• Adapt to different teams and workflows
  
• Ask the right questions—and learn fast

These soft skills are what set standout pharmacy grads apart when it’s time to apply for residencies, permanent jobs, or hospital placements.

5. Get a Head Start on Your Future Network

You never know who might remember your name.

• A pharmacist who supervises you this summer could become a reference later.
  
• A practice that loved your work may offer you a spot post-graduation.
  
• Other temp pros you meet could connect you with future gigs.

Temping = networking, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Plus, You’re in Control

Relief Buddy is built for on-demand work. That means:

• No long-term contracts
  
• No cold calls or resume drop-offs
  
• Just shifts that match your availability, skill level, and travel preferences

One app. Full flexibility.

So… What Are You Doing This Summer? 👋 

You could:

• Work random shifts that don’t help your future
  
• Scroll job boards hoping something clicks
  
• Or, start earning, learning, and building your pharmacy career—right now.

Thousands of pharmacy pros across Canada already use Relief Buddy to pick their perfect shifts. You can too.

Pharmacy students, make your summer count.

Sign up on Relief Buddy today and start temping on your terms.