Volume 39 Number 1 | February 2025
Two Years in Review from a New MLS
Katie Guise, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum Chair and Developing Professional Director
Like many of us in this profession, I truly stumbled my way into the clinical laboratory field. Two years ago, I sat in my dorm room at a crossroad—should I continue studying biomedical sciences and immediately go to graduate school, or should I open my decision letter to the University of Central Florida’s Medical Laboratory Sciences Program that had been collecting virtual dust in my inbox for days. I was excited-nervous, but far more nervous than excited at the time. The MLS program was a complete derail from the future I had planned, and my application had been the result of a last-minute decision, shrouded with uncertainty. One acceptance letter later, and I began my journey into the clinical lab.
The start of the semester had me feeling like a fish out of water; not only was I studying a completely new field, but I was determined to go all-in. I also began my first healthcare position as a laboratory assistant at a nearby community hospital. While my intention was to find my place in the clinical laboratory profession via full immersion, doubt quickly crept in. Did I make the right choice? Was the clinical lab for me? Why did I feel so out of place? The doubt was from two fronts—first, in my program at school, and second, at my new job that required me to learn a whole new skillset at a whirlwind pace.
As the semester progressed, and the months passed at work, my confidence grew in my knowledge and technical abilities. I was learning in school, getting more comfortable at work, but I couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of being out of place—the lack of belonging.
This month’s ASCLS Today topic, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), is critically important as these initiatives create the cornerstone that allows an individual to feel valued and empowered. For me, feeling like I belonged in the laboratory space was the key difference between finishing my program and becoming the MLS I am today, or leaving the field behind.
I realized that while I enjoyed the science and technicality of the field, I was missing something deeper—a sense of connection. Like many of us laboratorians, I am an introvert at heart and had to force myself out of my comfort zone to form new relationships. I met a small group of women through my job, whom I now endearingly refer to as my “lab ladies,” who supported me through my educational journey, helping me mesh what I was learning with actual patient cases.
Over time one of them, a member of ASCLS, became my first professional mentor and now, a lasting friend. She was a guiding force in my development, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear through both my struggles and victories. My program director also played a crucial role, patiently listening when I showed up at his office, questioning if I was on the right path. It was he who suggested I explore what the clinical lab had to offer beyond my program and introduced me to ASCLS for the first time. Both individuals listened to my concerns, helped me navigate challenges, and reminded me that my unique perspective was valuable to the field. Slowly, I realized that I wasn’t just learning how to operate instruments or analyze blood samples, but rather to actively engage in our field in a new, fulfilling way.
Joining ASCLS and attending my first Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) in Providence, Rhode Island, played a pivotal role in my perception of community and togetherness in the laboratory community. Despite not knowing anyone, I felt earnestly welcomed. I got to experience the depth of our field presenting an academic poster and hearing about projects medical laboratory professionals were working on across the United States. Hearing advanced CE sessions inspired a new burning sense of curiosity I wanted to continue to feed. I began to see the endless possibilities within the field and realized that there was much more to the profession than I had initially understood and, as a result, that I had a place beyond just “fitting in.” ASCLS provided me with a sense of purpose and direction outside the walls of my program. With it came the start of a new feeling: belonging.
As I approached the critical milestone of taking the ASCP Board of Certification exam, the stress began to mount. The pressure to pass weighed heavily on me. The months leading up to the exam were filled with late nights of studying and grappling with anxiety about whether I was truly ready. My lab family I had built over the last two years—my classmates, mentor, and program director—became my unwavering support system. Particularly with my peers, whom I had worked so hard to connect with, there was a collective understanding that we were all in this together, and that made all the difference. We studied together, shared tips, and celebrated each other’s small victories along the way.
When the word “pass” flashed across the screen on my exam, it was a moment of immense pride. But more importantly, it was a validation of everything I had worked for and all the support I had received. It wasn’t just about passing a test, it felt like I had finally conquered the last test to find my place in a field that was becoming increasingly familiar, one where I felt recognized and valued. I will forever remember walking out to the car where my mentor sat for the entire duration of my exam, getting to tell her the good news, and immediately calling my program director in tears to tell him, too.
Two years ago, the decision to pursue clinical laboratory sciences seemed daunting and uncertain, but with it came a greater sense of community and connection than I could have ever imagined. It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment that made me feel at home in the laboratory—attending my first JAM, Legislative Symposium, and state meetings; passing my boards; and forging meaningful relationships within the community all served as significant milestones. Each of these experiences contributed to a growing sense of belonging and purpose.
As I reflect on these two years, it’s clear that the connections I made, both personal and professional, allowed me to thrive. These relationships pushed me to learn, grow, and ultimately succeed in a field I’m proud to be part of. These connections embody the very essence of what it means to feel valued, included, and supported. Belonging is not just about fitting in; it’s about finding a space where you can bring your whole self, something that I firmly believe I’ve found in the clinical laboratory.
Katie Guise is a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) at Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida.
Author Katie Guise with her first professional mentor, Emily Woten, at the 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting. Emily was a guiding force in Katie’s development, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear through both her struggles and victories.
“Belonging is not just about fitting in; it’s about finding a space where you can bring your whole self, something that I firmly believe I’ve found in the clinical laboratory.”