How I got here

There are many ways to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Mine was not the straightest path. It took me much longer to get here because I did not know this was my final destination. Schools don't usually talk about Medical Laboratory Science as a career. They speak of doctors, nurses, and PAs. These are the careers you hear about and see portrayed on television.

Laboratory medicine provides the support necessary for clinicians to diagnose and treat patients accurately. It is an imperative part of our health system. Understanding the many career options and paths you can use to get there is important. That is why I feel it is important to educate students in both high school and college, so they know what options are available.

While in college I worked at a local hospital as a nursing assistant. I graduated from Lock Haven University in 2005 with a BS in Biology with a concentration in Organismal and Cellular Biology. I was not able to find a job with my degree at the time, so I continued working at the hospital. In 2006 while I was working the night shift the nursing supervisor asked me what I was still doing as a nursing assistant. I explained that I was having issues finding a job with my degree. She told me to meet her by the elevator at 7 am.

She took me down to the laboratory and introduced me to the Program Director of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program. The director allowed me to shadow the techs for two days. I decided to apply for the program. I was accepted to the program with a July start in 2007.

I graduated from that program in 2008. However, I had my first position offered to me in April 2008 contingent on successful completion. I started my first role as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) the Monday after I graduated. That was so different from my career search post getting my bachelorette.

Let's look at the retrospective view. I attended a university that offered a 3-1 program for MLS. If I knew this was a career option, I could have attended 3 years at Lock Haven and my last year of clinical at the same program I ended up at years later.

I also worked at the hospital for almost 3 years before knowing was an MLS was. I went down to the lab to pick up blood products for patients. I did not know what the education was of the staff that handed me that blood. I still did not know this was an option.

If it had not been for a nursing supervisor who took a personal interest in my success, I would not have been here. This is why I am passionate about providing education regarding the field and all the potential career options.