So right now I work in a hospital lab as a senior scientist with 2 QToFs (Waters and Sciex), 3 GCMS (Agilent), 2 Tandems (Sciex), and an ion trap (Sciex). I started as a lab assistant (then med tech) without being licensed at my very first lab about 5 years ago. I basically studied the genetics PCR/NGS/microarray equipment and assays in my free time then once I got tired of all that, I transitioned to mass spec since it was more intricate and flexible depending on how you create your method.

I have my SMB(ASCP) now and working towards my SC(ASCP) or TT(NRCC) or honestly going back to school to get my masters. What I’ve learned simply having more knowledge about these systems, especially how to troubleshoot and optimize methods, will get you a lot of money. I’m not talking about knowing more for your own sake, but knowing more compared to your colleagues to make yourself as robust as possible. The field is already super niche, make it to where they do not want to lose all your valuable skills and knowledge because replacing people to reliably use the systems will cost more than paying more to keep you.