IS LABORATORY SCIENCE RIGHT FOR ME?

Laboratory science is a critical healthcare field that impacts the well-being of every individual! Now is the perfect time to pursue a career in the laboratory sciences because of the ever increasing need for healthcare services, creating many job opportunities that offer good salaries and room for professional advancement.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics has projected an eleven per cent growth between 2018 and 2028 for laboratory professionals. This is twice the average 5% job growth rate! An additional 35,100 trained professionals are needed within this time frame. On average, there are about 6,000 laboratory trained graduates, yet the number needed now and in the near future has been estimated to be between 7,000  and 12,000.

Careers in laboratory science are perfect if you are analytical, enjoy problem solving, and are interested in the science of healthcare. Whether working as a medical laboratory professional, cytotechnologist, or histotechnologist, there are a variety of opportunities requiring different levels of education and training.​

ASCP Releases Its 2018 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories Report
Access the full report here.

The survey showed increased vacancy rates for laboratory positions across all laboratory sections. The overall retirement rates are at its lowest suggesting that the field has already experienced loss of personnel with a vast amount of experience. These results show that there should be a focus on retention of qualified and certified laboratory professionals, crucial factors in addressing the needs of the laboratory workforce. The profession of laboratory science must intensify its efforts on recruiting the next generation of laboratory personnel.
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Learn more about laboratory science careers→

Personality Traits and Skills

​Is a laboratory science career right for you? A laboratory science career may be perfect for you if you:
  • Have a strong interest in science especially biology and chemistry
  • Have a strong desire to help people
  • Like challenges and responsibility
  • Like to solve problems and puzzles
  • Are a team player
  • Work well under pressure
  • Are self-motivated
  • Enjoy working with computers and state-pf-the-art technology
  • Are detail-oriented
  • Are willing to persevere to find the right answer
 
A solid foundation in high school biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics usually provides the groundwork for most laboratory science careers.

​If you are in college and have a strong interest in science, or have completed a science-based degree, you may be a perfect fit for a laboratory science career.

What Are My Next Steps?

​​Do you feel like you're a good fit for a career in laboratory science? Be sure to check out our Careers page to learn more about a variety of laboratory science jobs. 

​Still have questions about a laboratory science career? Like, what steps can you take in deciding or preparing for a laboratory science career?  What type of courses you should be taking? How do you see what laboratory science professionals really do? Here are a few ideas:
Meet with Your Guidance
​Counselor, Science Teacher, or Health Professions Advisor
  • Make sure you are taking the right math and science courses, such as chemistry, biology, physics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.  English, business, and computer courses are also a plus!
  • Ask your science teachers if it would be possible to have a laboratory science professional visit your class and talk about their career.
  • If you are in college, ask your advisor about switching to a laboratory science major.​
Find A Mentor
  • Reach out to a person familiar with careers in Laboratory Science who can give you advice, answer your questions, or knows who you can contact at a local hospital.
  • This person might be a science teacher, health professions advisor, family member, or friend who works in a hospital, public health laboratory, or as a laboratory professional.​
Gain Inside Knowledge –
​Ask for a Tour
  • Experience what Medical Laboratory professionals do by asking for a tour or to spend a day with these healthcare professionals by contacting your local hospital.
  • If your school sponsors a health career day, stop by and visit with the laboratory professionals or college representatives that offer laboratory science programs.  Ask them for assistance in seeing a medical laboratory and/or anatomic pathology laboratory.
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