Bad career choice?

I was very happy after I changed my major from chemistry to MT, but now I'm having second thoughts after reading some posts on this forum. I am doing my clinical year next year and then I will be receiving my Bachelor's. I chose this major since I'd like to go into forensics. I know that is a small field, and if that didn't work out I'd like to work for the CDC and go more into public health. Did I make a bad degree choice? I am more interested in microbiology, etc. Should I have chosen that as a major? What kind of degrees can I pursue in grad school? I know people say you should go into nursing, pharmacy (that is NOT a possibility at this point), or med school, but I do NOT want to be a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist! I'm much more interested in public health and forensics. Any suggestions??

WorriedStudent in Mount Prospect, Illinois said: I was very happy after I changed my major from chemistry to MT, but now I'm having second thoughts after reading some posts on this forum. I am doing my clinical year next year and then I will be receiving my Bachelor's. I chose this major since I'd like to go into forensics. I know that is a small field, and if that didn't work out I'd like to work for the CDC and go more into public health. Did I make a bad degree choice? I am more interested in microbiology, etc. Should I have chosen that as a major? What kind of degrees can I pursue in grad school? I know people say you should go into nursing, pharmacy (that is NOT a possibility at this point), or med school, but I do NOT want to be a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist! I'm much more interested in public health and forensics. Any suggestions??

Go with your heart, yet follow your strengths. Do you possess analytical strenghts?. History, Empathy? Do you look at your past to know where your future will be? Quick to decide and slow to change, or Slow to decide and quick to change the mind? Be empty, my friend.

I'm just finishing up my clinical year and am about to graduate. I've worked in a lab (phlebotomist) since 2002, so I do have an idea how things work and the general attitude of med-techs. Do not base your career choice on the opinions of this message board. I've found that it is EXTREMELY negative when compared to the reality of working in a lab. This is probably due to the anonymity that the internet provides so people use this as a place to vent. Unfortunately the positive aspects of the career are often overlooked.

Most med-techs that I know are very happy with their career choice. This is a career that offers a good deal of flexibility. You do not have to spend your entire career on the bench in a hospital. You can specialize, go into management, research, forensics, anywhere you want really. I know that the state criminal lab in WA does hire med-techs so you could easily go into forensics that way. If later on you would like to go for more education (epidemiology maybe?) you will have a strong background and will be more likely to find a job flexible enough to allow you to study.

So once again, be wary when reading these boards and don’t get discouraged by all the negativity here. Good Luck!

While theortically most state crime labs would hire med techs most states have hiring freezes on so you most likely wouldn't be hired.
I wouldn't say most techs are happy with their profession by a long shot...the previous poster was overly optimistic...

As a stepping stone to another career it has its uses but it isn't a desireable field for a long career.

I am a career counselor as have some ideas for you. Do some research and see where your interests are. It is most important that you like what you are doing. What are your goals? Do you want to travel or stay in one place? Do you like the atmosphere of a hospital or a private company? Large or small. You might make a lot more money in a larger company with more responsiblity as well as possibly more stress. What is your personality and how does it fit in with these options?

Some options for MT's are in pharmaceutical companies. I know a person that got her Masters in Microbiology, while the tuition was paid by her employer. If you have the interest in the process of making pharmaceuticals or manufacturing, you could get a degree in Chemical Engineering or some BioTech field. There are many jobs in those companies. There is the forensic areas, but those jobs don;t pay as well and, as the other person said, there are job freezes. You can consider a degree in Forensics and work for a private lab.

The bottom line is this: You need to take some "field trips" to hospitals or pharmacuetical companies or small labs. Call and make an appointment with someone in human resources and ask for a tour. Tell them what you are looking for. Consider this part of your education. In addition--ask around--your friends, professors, etc and get connected with someone that works in those fields ot get an honest take on those areas. You will find out a lot by just being in that setting and talking with people who work at those jobs.

I wish I had done this when I was going to college. I didn't know enough about the options in my field and the practical points. Make an appointment with your career counselor at your college and discuss these issues with them.

PS large hospotals and other large companies will also have better benefits, such as: health insurance, 401K plans, etc.

I hope this helps.

Don't let the opinions on this forum discourage you. These forums cast a very negative light on the profession compared to the reality of laboratory careers. Some of these opinions are from MTs with 20+ years of experience that have forgotten why they went into clinical lab science. They don't realize how unclear of a picture it paints for those entering the field when they fail to mention any the positive aspects. I'm not trying to sterotype older MTs here, but you have to take some of the posts with a grain of salt.

This field offers definite possibilites for advancement and specialization for those that are interested. The salary and benefits are better than the US national average and the stress levels are in the low to moderate range. The growing shortage of MTs also means that job prospects and pay are increasing. Some other fields like nursing and pharmacy currently offer better pay, but these come at a cost. These people deal with sometimes tremendous amounts of stress and potential liability. Those of us that work behind the scenes sometimes forget this.

On another note, Microbiology is one of the most diverse, and in my opinion interesting, specialties within Medical Technology and Medical Technology is an excellent route for those looking for careers in Microbiology. There are a lot of Microbiologists in research that have a sort of tunnel vision view of Microbiology that focus on one or a few topics of interest. Clinical microbiologists (MTs), on the other hand, have extensive knowledge in all subspecialties (bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, and virology). As a result, MTs who work in microbiology rarely get bored or "burned out." They see a lot of variety in their work and don't perform as much STAT testing. It's less stressful and more "hands on" than other departments. I have been working as an MT (ASCP) in Micro for almost 5 years. I have never questioned my career choice and couldn't imagine myself anywhere else

Joe great responce, would you consider getting your DCLS?

WorriedStudent in Mount Prospect, Illinois said: I was very happy after I changed my major from chemistry to MT, but now I'm having second thoughts after reading some posts on this forum. I am doing my clinical year next year and then I will be receiving my Bachelor's. I chose this major since I'd like to go into forensics. I know that is a small field, and if that didn't work out I'd like to work for the CDC and go more into public health. Did I make a bad degree choice? I am more interested in microbiology, etc. Should I have chosen that as a major? What kind of degrees can I pursue in grad school? I know people say you should go into nursing, pharmacy (that is NOT a possibility at this point), or med school, but I do NOT want to be a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist! I'm much more interested in public health and forensics. Any suggestions??

Hi, I'm currently a Senior in high school and I plan to major in MT next year. I think this field would be a great oppourtunity for me, and so for you. I was reading your comments and I see you're having second thoughts. Don't let these comments on this forum stop your career, because this is why some people today change their majors, and now they can't do anything with it.It's probably hard for them to find jobs and etc. So go with what you think is best for you and not these comments. I have ready so many bad comments about MT's but that doesn't mean I'm going to change my major and have second thoughts. I'm going to keep my major and make me and my parents proud.
Do what's best for you?!!!

Are Medical Lab Technician (2 years degree) not MT, are employed in the state of IL? I was looking at some jobs ad and i saw mostly MT (Medical technologist) or phlebotomist. I would like to go for the 2 years degree but not too sure. Also how much do they make an hour? Please i would love to hear from someone who is or knows about the field, not those people who just saying things without having an idea. thanks!!!!

I was just looking at bad things about medical technologt what bad things can happen and everything....Geesh...Oh and i am a 7th grader just wondering about whats bad about medical technology!!!

for associate degree techs: check: bls.oco.gov (bureau of labor statistics) and search for the jobs you are interested in.

hourly pay varies by specialty, experience, and location: phlebotomy is one of the lowest paying ones as an mlt, while towards the other end of the spectrum i have a friend who works in a pharmaceutical chemistry lab and gets about $19 an hour to start w/ associate MLT degree + Certification.

Not sure if people usually allow MT's to work in Micro section when they could possibly hire more specialized Microbiology majors, though MT's do get trained to know what to do in the Micro section, but that's just my opinion. I switched to biomedical engineering after MLT, but am finding the courses very difficult I so am thinking about switching to microbiology or biotechnology instead of finishing an MT degree, that's just me though.

good luck in your pursuits.