Reading these and similar postings over the last few weeks I'm 
truly staggered that a number of my colleagues in the US have an 
apparent  disregard for academic qualifications. While OJT is invaluable, 
without decent recognised qualifications they are as nothing. How on earth 
do you think our jobs will be recognised as a distinct specialised branch 
of science without formal qualifications. Get a grip of yourselves, the 
more highly qualified we become the greater our standing in the scientific 
community. Educationally, I have a first and second degree but that is not 
enough to make me a fully rounded scientist so I have started another 
degree course and I'm in the twilight of my career. Please, education is 
there, grasp it, it's a precious beautiful gift, don't let our branch of 
science become some OJT training only job, we are career scientists, never 
forget it.
         Take home message from my rant, get qualified as soon as possible. 
Any qualification in biological science, coupled with suitable training 
makes you a more attractive proposition to a prospective employer. You can 
demonstrate both technical ability and that you have an open enquiring mind 
receptive to the ever changing world of biological science.
Ian.



>But lets say I wanted to be a Histotechnologist (is that the term?), what 
>kind of education would I need? What is the difference in education for a 
>Pathology Assistant, Technologist, etc? Sorry for the simple question, I 
>read everyone's emails about certification and I'm just curious. Very 
>interesting....
>
>Kelly McQueeney
>
>
>Robyn Vazquez wrote:
>
>>Kelly,
>>
>>I have been doing histology for going on 15 years (?) and never certified 
>>as my own choice.  I do EXCELLENT QUALITY work.  I was taught in the 
>>military as OTJ training.
>>
>>Robyn
>>
>>
>
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Dr. Ian Montgomery,
Histotechnology,
Graham Kerr Building,
Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences,
University of Glasgow,
Glasgow,
G12 8QQ.
Tel: 0141 339 8855
Office: 4652
Lab: 6644.
Pager: 07623 975451
e-mail: ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk  


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