what do you think is the best path to take?? I NEED ADVICE...PLEASE!

I'm 21 years old from Jacksonville Florida. In Jacksonville we don't have a University that offers a BS in Medical Lab Technology however an AS degree is offered at the local community college. I want to eventually become a Medical Technologist so I'm planning on taking classes at the community college starting this fall and I will graduate December 2010 as a MLT. After getting my MLT license I was planning to transfer to a University to get a Bachelors in molecular Biology while working as an MLT. The program director at the community college told me I could get my MLT and work for 3 years then take an AAB exam to become a Technologist but I wanted to go ahead and get my bachelors degree so I can expand my job options...

My question is do you think it's best that I just start taking classes at the University and work on my Bachelors in Biology degree first OR take the MLT classes first and work as an MLT while pursuing my bachelors in biology??? I'm really torn and am not sure what I should do....I would greatly appreciate any advice... PLEASE!

CeCe88 in Jacksonville, Florida said: I'm 21 years old from Jacksonville Florida. In Jacksonville we don't have a University that offers a BS in Medical Lab Technology however an AS degree is offered at the local community college. I want to eventually become a Medical Technologist so I'm planning on taking classes at the community college starting this fall and I will graduate December 2010 as a MLT. After getting my MLT license I was planning to transfer to a University to get a Bachelors in molecular Biology while working as an MLT. The program director at the community college told me I could get my MLT and work for 3 years then take an AAB exam to become a Technologist but I wanted to go ahead and get my bachelors degree so I can expand my job options...

My question is do you think it's best that I just start taking classes at the University and work on my Bachelors in Biology degree first OR take the MLT classes first and work as an MLT while pursuing my bachelors in biology??? I'm really torn and am not sure what I should do....I would greatly appreciate any advice... PLEASE!

I would think your credits for the MLT program would transfer towards your BS, check the policy where you intend on getting your BS and see what they allow, working as an MLT you can work around your school schedule and still make some decent coin.

I've been a medical technologist for 18 years and I wouldn't take the route the program director is suggesting. Yes you could work as a MLT while going for your B.S. degree, but very few places are actually hiring MLTs and those that are do not utilize them as they had in years past. Also, taking the AAB exam to get MT credentials would be a mistake. Most employers do not want to accept anything less than MT credentials from ASCP or NCA. The only way to get those credentials is to get a B.S. and take their exam. I suggest you investigate the requirements for those exams more carefully before you plan your future.