College, Department or UnitCollege, Department or Unit
Within a year of my graduation in 1994 from Illinois State University, my career took me out of the hospital lab and into a crime lab. I was offered an opportunity to train in forensic biology and DNA analysis for a well-known police agency. The DNA analysis, which takes roughly four months, begins when law enforcement agencies collect crime scene evidence and submit it to the forensic lab. DNA analysis provides a profile that gives a basis for inclusion or exclusion of a suspect. If the profile on the evidence matches that of a suspect, I may also be required to testify a subsequent trail.
I have received several promotions since entering the forensics division. In my current position, I no longer do case work; I deal with budgets and managerial issues such as reviewing case files with state’s attorneys and detectives. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice science. My clinical laboratory science degree laid the ground work that helped me move onward and upward in the forensic science field.
"My interests have always been with forensics and in recent years, microbiology. I thought that my only option was to get into nursing and specialize in these areas. While taking a Health Science course in Medical Terminology during pre-nursing, I learned that there was a major, Clinical Laboratory Science, which could prepare for exactly what I wanted! I researched the program, visited hospital laboratories, and discussed the major with professionals. Therefore, once I started the major, I had a very good handle on the expectations of the student and what to expect in the classroom."
"The coursework is challenging. Immunology and coagulation were particularly tough for me. But you can get through the courses. The faculty always has time for you and is there to help. They want you to do better. They maintain high standards and expectations. The small class size is beneficial. You get to know all of your classmates."
"I started as a biology major at ISU having no idea that there was a Clinical Laboratory Science major or what it was about. My first encounter with this major was when I volunteered to be a research assistant for one of the CLS professors. While doing the research project, I received some insight as to what CLS was all about. I found it to have a more focused career path and schedule than I had with biology. At the same time, this major still satisfied my interests in biology. Because of the focused direction of the program, I knew what to expect in all of my courses."
"Your junior year is when you really start getting into the major coursework. You start with focus and direction so that you are not bombarded from different directions with information. The labs and lectures compliment each other well. Many good internship sites are available for your senior year. The internship is not easy, but it is a great learning experience and I am very glad I did it. CLS is a good major and I stand behind it. Anyone who enters the major will not have second thoughts."
"The CLS professors are helpful, encouraging and understanding. You will find diverse, beneficial courses in the General Education sequence. Your major courses will be more specific. The Bloomington-Normal community adds to a great experience with all the activities and resources available to students. It is a growing profession with a great need for medical technologists. I have several potential job opportunities to consider when I graduate."
"I graduated from the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Illinois State University in 1994. Since graduation, I have held several professional positions ranging from staff technologist at a small rural hospital, to manager of a large urban medical lab, to the position I currently hold, business development manager for a medical instrumentation producer.
I found that the classes I took at ISU left me well prepared for the challenges of the professional world. My education allowed me to see that I was not limited to working at the bench; there are many opportunities open to CLS grads beyond the typical laboratory setting."
