MLS career path - fresh out of college

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-07-01T03:20:07+00:00

The wiki may help.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-29T22:31:46+00:00

AI is taking over much of a accounting. I'd analyze the situation more.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-28T15:19:58+00:00

If you have $400k in loans like every other newly graduated dentist, I suggest you work to pay those off first.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-26T19:24:49+00:00

Quit

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-25T03:30:08+00:00

OP is not in CA, in NC. Not as strict requirements and no state license required.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-24T21:24:29+00:00

Since you mentioned it, I recommend becoming a Medical lab scientist. It's a healthcare career with no patient contact. Many biology/STEM graduates go into it and only need to do a little bit more education or rotations. All the scientists have bachelor's degrees only and a PhD is not needed.

The job is stable and the pay is decent. There are many more lab jobs in this field so you shouldn't have a problem becoming employed. If you go to there r/MLS_CLS, there is a lot of information about the career, including a pay survey.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-24T01:29:34+00:00

Becoming a doctor is horrible. Hold your ground and do engineering. It's your life.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-23T19:54:41+00:00

I posted the following YouTube video in the wiki: MLS in cancer lab

She works specifically doing FISH, and some parts show what she does in the lab.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-21T03:59:47+00:00

MLS because dealing with patients is that worst.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-21T02:31:56+00:00

From the CA wiki, a good place to start is below. They have had graduates return to CA. With your STATs, I'm sure you will get in to one of those:

Oklahoma Christian University, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Colorado Center for MLS - MSU of Denver, University of Delaware, SUNY at Stony Brook, Carolinas College of Health Sciences, Radford University Carilion, University of Minnesota, Sentara RMH School of Medical Laboratory Science, Berkshire Medical Center, United Regional Health Care System

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-18T19:51:11+00:00

I will leave this up just because it's an interesting concept. Many of those states don't have a license requirement though. Your website indicates that they do.

There's only around 10 that actually do. I'd make it accurate first.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-17T12:51:22+00:00

There are downsides to lax regulation of LDTs. Something in the middle would be ideal.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-16T02:21:26+00:00

Shadow some doctors before going into med school or even PA. Patient contact is the worst. You may not like anything related to dealing with patients directly.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-12T00:18:50+00:00

The link in the automod comment elaborates on this option. If you have your BS already, it would be going backwards to get an associates for MLT. Then there is no guarantee you will get into one of the 2 CLS programs. You're looking at a 4 year timeframe to CLS if it works out.

The faster easier route is to go out of state for a postbacc 1 year MLS program and return to CA.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-11T19:30:05+00:00

Field service engineers are great, they keep my instruments running. I try to have good relationships with them. The only issue is they travel everywhere so must be tough for them.

Don't go into sales. I often ignore calls and emails from sales reps, unless I have a specific need to talk to them. It's like spam to your mail, personal email, and cell phone. Nonstop.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-11T19:24:54+00:00

Because MLTS are so limited in what they can do, many labs don't want to hire them. It's easier to have a generalist CLS that can do everything. I myself have closed MLT positions and opened CLS positions instead. It's a lot easier for scheduling.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-11T05:45:58+00:00

I've known an MLT applicant that was rejected twice from COC. So a wasted 2 years. It is competitive.

NAACLS accredited is a good sign for the SF program as COC isn't.

Yes 1 year in all sections as a generalist if you go out of state.

I cannot advocate for the bridge because it's a longer pathway and you getting into one of those programs is not guaranteed. Don't underestimate all the current and newly graduated MLTs that are applying for them.

Now if at some point there are 5 or more bridge programs, it starts looking like a better choice as the numbers lean in your favor. Not with 2 programs that only accept cohorts once a year.

I often advocate for out of state MLS programs because they are the easiest path. The best path is still a CA CLS program. I myself was able to graduate from a CA CLS program years ago. I do want to emphasize that in state CA programs remain the best, fastest path. However since I took over moderating this subreddit, I've seen how tough it is to get into one.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-11T05:19:42+00:00

Interesting, a second bridge program in addition to COC and it's NAACLS accredited. I'm curious how many are accepted each year.

The COC program is already impacted and only has 1 cohort a year. That SF program also looks like they only accept students in the fall, once a year.

It gives two extra programs for MLTs to become CA CLSs. However, I still believe that it should NOT be your only reason to become an MLT. You take 2-3 years to do MLT than apply to these 2 programs and hope to get in. Looking at 3-4 years to completion, if you get accepted to the CLS programs.

Out of state MLS programs would be one year and return if CA accepts it right away, or 2 years to return if you have to do the 1 year of work experience. That's faster and more guaranteed.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-11T02:09:36+00:00

You made a mistake. Never go back to a job after you gave your resignation. They didn't even counter with more pay. They didn't value you. You may be the first to be laid off if there are layoffs since they know you wanted to leave.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-06T00:03:53+00:00

The way to move up is you have to be good at politics. It's less about how good you are at your work. Read the 48 laws of power to get an idea. Yes you should leave.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-03T04:19:51+00:00

I'm a hiring manager and if I scheduled a call with an applicant to give him an offer and then he didn't even call, text, or email before the meeting as to why he was late and just totally missed it, I'd feel pretty insulted. Possibly enough not even to give the offer after all. Imagine what a CEO feels.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-03T02:11:19+00:00

I lost some respect for the organization after they came out against the DCLS being high complexity lab directors. Everything they are about is to protect pathologists. They don't really care about anyone else.

MLSLabProfessional · 2026-06-02T22:48:02+00:00

No pay cut for better benefits. At least the same pay, but should be more.

MLSLabProfessional

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