Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS-PA President
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| This redesigned website serves as a resource for students or recent graduates who are interested in, but know very little about, careers in the laboratory sciences. |
Have you visited the new and improved LaboratoryScienceCareers.com? Beginning in March of 2018, I had the pleasure of working with two ASCLS colleagues—Lezlee Koch and Susie Zanto—to redesign LabScienceCareers.com, a website housed under the Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce. This website was initially created to serve as a resource for high school students who were interested in, but knew very little about, careers in the laboratory sciences. We are happy to announce that the new and improved LaboratoryScienceCareers.com (LSC) is live!
Promoting All Laboratory Professions and Recruiting New Laboratorians
LSC is not only a resource for careers in clinical pathology (e.g., medical laboratory scientist) but also anatomic pathology (e.g., cytotechnologist, histotechnician). It also covers lesser known careers, such as a laboratory information systems administrator, and provides information for careers in public health, industry, research, and education.
Questions such as, “What is laboratory science?” and, “Is laboratory science right for me?” are answered. Although the website originally had a target audience of high school students, we felt there should also be information for college students who are undeclared or students who may be graduating with a general health or science degree and want to know what opportunities are available to them.
The important role laboratory professionals play in healthcare is discussed, along with a brief history of laboratory science. Students learn some of the personality traits and skills that are helpful when working in the laboratory sciences, and the site details next steps to take if they believe a laboratory science career is the right fit for them. Students are encouraged to meet with their guidance counselor, science teacher, or health professions advisor; find a personal or professional mentor; and ask for a tour of the laboratory facilities at their local hospitals.
Education pathways, certification, and licensure are discussed, and students are able to easily search for programs they’re interested in that are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
“We ask that you send [LaboratoryScienceCareers.com] to guidance counselors at your local high school and advisors at the program you graduated from or are currently enrolled in. And share the site with friends and family who may have an interest in or know someone who may be interested in laboratory science career opportunities.”
Looking for Personal Stories
There are many medical laboratory professionals featured on LSC who share their journey to becoming a medical laboratory professional. We are currently looking to feature individuals outside of the clinical laboratory who showcase diversity in the laboratory sciences. If you know someone who may be a good fit, please contact me at joshua.cannon@jefferson.edu.
Share LaboratoryScienceCareers.com
We ask that you send LSC to guidance counselors at your local high school and advisors at the program you graduated from or are currently enrolled in. And share the site with friends and family who may have an interest in or know someone who may be interested in laboratory science career opportunities.
Please visit www.laboratorysciencecareers.com to learn more. If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact me.
Joshua J. Cannon is instructor and education coordinator in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Biotechnology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.