March 29, 2022
Graduating last semester with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology, Erin Morrison (Hometown: South Point, OH), decided to pursue her second degree from Shawnee State University in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT).
SSU’s MLT program is offered in a five-semester sequence that prepares graduates for professional certification and careers working in the medical field in a range of testing and analysis roles. Morrison found that the MLT program offered a personalized classroom experience that allowed her to connect well to the program and her classmates.
“I chose Shawnee because it was close to home and the smaller class sizes drew me in,” she said. “I love that I get to connect with my professors and feel comfortable going to them with any problems I may have in the classroom.”
As a student worker in SSU’s labs, Morrison found a true passion for microbiology. This love aided her decision to pursue a second degree in MLT.
“I worked as a lab assistant for the microbiology class at Shawnee since the summer of 2019,” she said. “I found a lot of joy sharing my knowledge of microbiology with other students and it was such an awesome experience that I could show other students the techniques and everything that goes into the microbiology lab.”
Through both of her degree programs, Morrison has experienced low student-to-faculty ratios that have made a big difference in how she has felt her educational career was valued at SSU.
“My favorite part of the program is that I have such great professors that truly care about my learning experience,” said Morrison. “It is also nice that we have a small class size – I am close to all the students in my class. Since we are all close, it is truly a judge-free learning experience.”
Graduates of the MLT program can complete testing in blood banking, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. MLT positions continue to be in high-demand at hospitals and medical facilities, and graduates tend to find starts to their careers quickly. The program is currently accepting applications for its Autumn 2022 semester until Friday, Apr. 1. For students interested in MLT, Morrison offers encouragement.
“To anyone thinking of pursuing a career in Med Lab, I would say to go for it,” she said. “Med Lab gives you a way to still help patients while working behind the scenes.”
Learn more about Shawnee State University’s Medical Laboratory Technology program.