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Work/school balance in a MLS program?
I have finished all my prereqs and will be starting a Clinical Laboratory Science program, am curious how previous studies or graduates have handled l working while in school. Will I be able to work full time and go to school full time? Or how many hours or days of work should I limit myself to?
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Joshua Allard, Ph.D.
Data Science & AI, Quantum AI designer developer
22
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Joshua’s Answer
This is a fascinating question, and many people probably wonder how they can do this. Let me tell you a little bit about myself and my work-school balance. I have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Cyber Security, a master's Degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Data Science & AI with a focus on Quantum AI, all while working a full-time job and having a family. So, this is not a question of whether it is possible. It comes down to the individual and the type of motivation you have. For instance, my studies were all online, and maybe that was a benefit either way. I focused my time effectively doing full-time work, spending a few hours with the family after hours, and then dedicating my evening to studies. I ended up getting 3 to 5 hours of sleep at night, so I am not saying this is easy; there is an excellent factor of focus and motivation involved.
This resulted in me not getting much sleep in my case, but it was not impossible. Time management is critical, but your motivation is the driving factor. I wanted to reach the moon, so I shot for the stars. I have said this to myself many times, which has been my mantra. You have to find what you have to focus on there 24 hours a day; if your company knows you are doing something that will benefit them, they may even be willing to work with you occasionally. But again, I am going to circle back around to motivation. What is your driving factor? What do you want to achieve? Once you know these, hold on to them, write them down, and look at them whenever you feel overwhelmed. Put your focus music on and dive into it. Tell yourself you can do it, and never give up. I am sure you have heard all this before, but there is a reason for that it works, it helps if you want something, don't stop if you feel you can do it.
Make sure to save a few hours to unwind and reward yourself for finishing that assignment. Never take it all at once; focus on one week or assignment at a time, and talk to your professor if you need extra time. They have been in similar situations in most cases, so do not feel you can not go to them. So, to summarize, if you are asking if you can do school and work full time, the short answer is yes; it is up to you what will work and to motivate yourself to achieve your goals.
Find your motivation
working on dividing your time but giving full foucse to that task at the time
give yourself rewards
never give up YOU CAN DO IT
This resulted in me not getting much sleep in my case, but it was not impossible. Time management is critical, but your motivation is the driving factor. I wanted to reach the moon, so I shot for the stars. I have said this to myself many times, which has been my mantra. You have to find what you have to focus on there 24 hours a day; if your company knows you are doing something that will benefit them, they may even be willing to work with you occasionally. But again, I am going to circle back around to motivation. What is your driving factor? What do you want to achieve? Once you know these, hold on to them, write them down, and look at them whenever you feel overwhelmed. Put your focus music on and dive into it. Tell yourself you can do it, and never give up. I am sure you have heard all this before, but there is a reason for that it works, it helps if you want something, don't stop if you feel you can do it.
Make sure to save a few hours to unwind and reward yourself for finishing that assignment. Never take it all at once; focus on one week or assignment at a time, and talk to your professor if you need extra time. They have been in similar situations in most cases, so do not feel you can not go to them. So, to summarize, if you are asking if you can do school and work full time, the short answer is yes; it is up to you what will work and to motivate yourself to achieve your goals.
Joshua recommends the following next steps:
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Sally
Updated
Damien’s Answer
This is a tough question to answer because what you can handle, as far as work and school, is entirely your domain. No one can really say only work this long and go to school this long because you may be able to do more or less based on your own physical, mental and emotional capabilities. Also, we don't know your financial situation or what kind of support you have. Maybe you need to work a full time job to go to school. We don't know.
This being the case, I offer the following advice... Focus on your schooling first and foremost, if you can. You'll have plenty of time to look for work once your classes have finished, and only one chance to learn what you want without life's distractions really getting in the way. If anything, look for volunteer or internship opportunities while you're in school because those can be immensely helpful in getting your foot in the door of whatever industry you want to pursue.
Consider how much you need to work and how many hours you need to devote to school.
Is your job supporting or taking away from your education?
Consider interning or volunteering, if possible, instead of working.
This being the case, I offer the following advice... Focus on your schooling first and foremost, if you can. You'll have plenty of time to look for work once your classes have finished, and only one chance to learn what you want without life's distractions really getting in the way. If anything, look for volunteer or internship opportunities while you're in school because those can be immensely helpful in getting your foot in the door of whatever industry you want to pursue.
Damien recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for your encouragement!
Sally
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Working while pursuing CLS is challenging. I personally did this so I know it will be a challenging path but not an impossible path. You need to be very organized and manage your time very well between working hours and school. Try to limit your hours of work to no more than 21 hours as a max but if you can just do 15 hours of work to earn money that would be more advisable so that you can devote your time for your course work and your clinical hours as required by NY state.
Once you finish and graduate with your bachelor’s degree study for 3 months straight before taking your ASCP board exam for MLS. The exam is designed to test your knowledge via textbook style learning. Do your best to not be scared of the exam and delay yourself in the process. The more you delay the exam the more work you will have to put into preparing for the exam. If you do not pass the first go at it, don’t lose hope just work harder for the second attempt. You have a total of 5 attempts to pass your ASCP exam via route 1 of the application process.
Jessica recommends the following next steps:
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Sally
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Sally!
Work/School Balance in an MLS Program
In a Clinical Laboratory Science program, balancing work and school can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the coursework and clinical rotations. While some students may choose to work part-time during their studies, working full-time while attending school full-time can be extremely difficult to manage effectively.
Factors to Consider:
Course Load: MLS programs typically have a rigorous curriculum that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. The workload can be intense, requiring significant time and effort outside of class hours for studying and completing assignments.
Clinical Rotations: Clinical Laboratory Science programs often involve clinical rotations at affiliated healthcare facilities. These rotations are essential for gaining practical experience in a real-world laboratory setting but can also add to the time commitment required.
Time Management: Balancing work and school requires excellent time management skills. Students must prioritize their responsibilities, set realistic goals, and establish a study schedule that allows them to stay on top of their coursework while meeting work obligations.
Financial Considerations: While working during school can help offset educational expenses, students should carefully weigh the financial benefits against the potential impact on their academic performance and overall well-being.
Recommendations:
Part-Time Work: Many MLS students find it more manageable to work part-time while pursuing their degree. This allows them to maintain a source of income while still dedicating sufficient time and energy to their studies.
Flexible Work Arrangements: If possible, consider seeking employment with flexible hours that can accommodate your class schedule and clinical rotations. Communicate openly with your employer about your academic commitments to ensure they understand your availability limitations.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to academic advisors, faculty members, or career services for guidance on balancing work and school responsibilities. They may offer valuable insights or resources to help you navigate this challenging period successfully.
In conclusion, while it is technically possible to work full-time and attend an MLS program full-time, it is not advisable due to the demanding nature of the program. Opting for part-time work or flexible arrangements is generally a more feasible approach to maintaining a healthy work/school balance during your studies.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS): ASCLS provides valuable resources and information for students pursuing careers in clinical laboratory science, including insights on education requirements and professional development opportunities.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): NAACLS sets standards for accreditation of MLS programs, ensuring that educational institutions meet quality benchmarks in preparing students for careers in clinical laboratory science.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers data on job outlook, salary information, and educational requirements for medical laboratory technologists and technicians, providing valuable insights into the field’s landscape.
These sources were consulted to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the topic of balancing work and school commitments in an MLS program.
God Bless You,
JC.
Work/School Balance in an MLS Program
In a Clinical Laboratory Science program, balancing work and school can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the coursework and clinical rotations. While some students may choose to work part-time during their studies, working full-time while attending school full-time can be extremely difficult to manage effectively.
Factors to Consider:
Course Load: MLS programs typically have a rigorous curriculum that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. The workload can be intense, requiring significant time and effort outside of class hours for studying and completing assignments.
Clinical Rotations: Clinical Laboratory Science programs often involve clinical rotations at affiliated healthcare facilities. These rotations are essential for gaining practical experience in a real-world laboratory setting but can also add to the time commitment required.
Time Management: Balancing work and school requires excellent time management skills. Students must prioritize their responsibilities, set realistic goals, and establish a study schedule that allows them to stay on top of their coursework while meeting work obligations.
Financial Considerations: While working during school can help offset educational expenses, students should carefully weigh the financial benefits against the potential impact on their academic performance and overall well-being.
Recommendations:
Part-Time Work: Many MLS students find it more manageable to work part-time while pursuing their degree. This allows them to maintain a source of income while still dedicating sufficient time and energy to their studies.
Flexible Work Arrangements: If possible, consider seeking employment with flexible hours that can accommodate your class schedule and clinical rotations. Communicate openly with your employer about your academic commitments to ensure they understand your availability limitations.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to academic advisors, faculty members, or career services for guidance on balancing work and school responsibilities. They may offer valuable insights or resources to help you navigate this challenging period successfully.
In conclusion, while it is technically possible to work full-time and attend an MLS program full-time, it is not advisable due to the demanding nature of the program. Opting for part-time work or flexible arrangements is generally a more feasible approach to maintaining a healthy work/school balance during your studies.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS): ASCLS provides valuable resources and information for students pursuing careers in clinical laboratory science, including insights on education requirements and professional development opportunities.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): NAACLS sets standards for accreditation of MLS programs, ensuring that educational institutions meet quality benchmarks in preparing students for careers in clinical laboratory science.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers data on job outlook, salary information, and educational requirements for medical laboratory technologists and technicians, providing valuable insights into the field’s landscape.
These sources were consulted to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the topic of balancing work and school commitments in an MLS program.
God Bless You,
JC.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Sally
Updated
LaTausha’s Answer
It depends on if you have other priorities (kids, family etc), outside of work and school that require your time. The hiccup will be during your clincal rotations. Often times you're at the mercy of the facilty where you are placed as fat as scheduling goes. Depending on your program the clinical rotations may take 1-2 semesters to complete. That's the time you want to display your knowledge, skills, work ethic, and even network in hopes to leave a good impression for future employment. The goal isn't to just graduate you want to be employed. You want to also make sure your dedicating enough time to your coursework. The curriculum can be rigorous and is designed to prepare you for the certification exam.
Be honest with yourself when making this decision to prevent any additional stress.
Be honest with yourself when making this decision to prevent any additional stress.