Potential HT/HTL seeks advice
Hello Histonetters:
I am not actually an HT or HTL, but a college student who is switching
majors and interested in becoming one. I was going to major in information
systems, but the recent recession has made me aware of how sketchy the
business sector can be during an economic downturn. After much research I
have narrowed it down to majoring either in Radiologic Technology or
Histology. I know there is a shortage of radiographers and
histotechnologists/technicians in the country so I was wondering if any
current HT or HTL's can give me some specific feedback of how the job
market is.
The major reason why I am posting this message is because I want to get a
BS in order to become a histotechnologist...yet moving to FLA or MI for the
BS histology programs is a little out of my range at this
moment. Fortunately, I do live only 20 or so miles from Mt Sac. where they
offer an HT AS program. Is anyone familiar with this program and how well
it prepares students for the working place? However, when it comes to my
career, I wanted to obtain a BS so that I can be more qualified for jobs
and have better advancement opportunities. Does anyone find that there is
a lot of disparity between technicians and technologists? In what areas do
differ?
I am familiar with the NAACLS recommendation of getting a BS in a related
field in order to sit for the HT exam, however I am encountering problems
when it comes to choosing a related field. Most of the California
universities I have contacted say their biology department does not have
any histology strengths or even courses and have recommended that their
programs will not train me for a career in histology. Can anyone recommend
a university in CA that offers a biology option that will give me enough
theory and prepare me for working in histology and to sit for the HTL
exam? I know a BS in biology or microbiology will give me the theory
behind histology, but when it comes to the specific techniques of working
in the lab, I would have to find a hospital/office that would be willing to
train me for the NAACLS required year before taking the HTL exam. Some I
have talked to recommend that I get the AS at Mt Sac and then go for the
BS. But the AS there is not a transfer program. I have been told by Mt
Sac advisors that the histology courses will not transfer. I would have to
go back and take pre-majors for the BS major.
Even though histology is my first choice, I am drawn to radiology because I
can get a BS at several schools near my home. Of course there are other
reasons why I am concentrating on these areas, but this is too long
already. Well, any advice is welcome!
Lisa Suhovy
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