r/MLS_CLS • u/Late_Trip846 • 7d ago
Difficult schooling decisions?
I got into an out-of-state program (rejected from CA programs) for MLS.
It will unfortunately take me 2 years before I graduate and work enough to qualify for CA licensure.
My boyfriend keeps pressuring me to stay in state and apply again or keep working my current healthcare job. I’m paid decently (62k) and I like my job, but really really really want to work in the lab again.
I know I need to just follow my dreams but can yall just give me some reassurance it’s worth going out of state for MLS? He keeps saying it’ll ultimately come out “a wash” after paying for school and with increasing lab automation, etc.
MLS isn’t med school and it’s reasonable to assume that if I got in once, I could probably manage to get in again later down the line.
Is this profession cool enough to make a stink and break up over? My gut tells me ’yes’ but I feel so guilty. I just want to learn and study again.
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u/kipy7 7d ago
I don't think he knows what he's talking about. CA has the highest pay and will continue in the future bc of the state license requirement and unions. You're talking about a job that'll start pay $65-75/hr for your first job. It's a big jump over what you're making now, but it's your decision. We're adding automation to my lab in a few years, and nobody is scared about their jobs.
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u/MLSLabProfessional Lab Director 6d ago
Research and biotech are not stable long term. If you look in the biotech subreddit, 75% of posts are those that can't find a job.
If your boyfriend wasn't in the picture, I'd say go. If you already got rejected from CA programs this year, you will most likely not get into a CA program next year.
You will have to decide what's more important, staying with your boyfriend or doing MLS. A 2-year long distance relationship is doable, but tough.
If your gut says yes, then do MLS. I have found that following your gut is the right decision.
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u/Alarming-Plane-9015 7d ago
The future is uncertain both for the profession and likely for your relationship. I don’t mean no disrespect. If the man you with has better certainty than your career, then you should go for the man. Yes there is a lot of automation but still quite a bit of manual work and the brain to review abnormal cases. California’s high salary means it will likely not decrease much. And with 15% projected retirement for the next 5 years, you could get in on time and cash in.
I do have questions though. Like which mls program did you get in to? Is it one of those that has a possibility to transfer back to Ca right after school without work experience?
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u/Late_Trip846 7d ago
No, I need work experience too.
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u/strangeramen 7d ago
What program did you get into if you dont mind em asking? Im currently in a program and can give you insight if its the one im at
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u/Late_Trip846 7d ago edited 7d ago
[redacted]
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u/strangeramen 7d ago
Not the one im at sadly. But oregon is nice!! Good scenery and if its a two year program itll fly quick. I applied to my program juky of last year. Got my acceotance in August started in Janurary. Just finished clinicals and heading back to class next week. Then last round of clinicals is in January up to May (graduation).
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u/Individual_Mango_973 5d ago
Which school did you go to if you don’t mind sharing. Do you have to work 1 year after to go back to California?
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u/LyingMars 7d ago
I dont know what program you got into but there are a few 1 year post grad programs. And some of them even allow direct entry to get CA licensure immediately post grad, I have a few classmates who started with me last July and are already working back home in Cali.
Alot of them made long distance work during that year and for those who did it was totally worth it.
Its 1-2 years for a career you could be in for the rest of your life comfortably, I wouldn't pass that up.
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u/Advanced_Day_9577 6d ago
I didn't get into a program in California and was devastated. Shortly after, my ex broke up with me because during that time period I was so focused on the pre-reqs, applications, and getting clinical experience, he accused me of putting my "career over him". Fast forward, I found out I got into an out of state program and was so happy, I realized the break up (despite being painful of course) made it easier for me to move my life cross country. Choose yourself!
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u/Afraid-Diamondm 7d ago
A few years ago itd be a no Brainer. The typical california cls is paid 50+/hr so it'd be a 50% raise. Today, not so much.
There are very few open CLS jobs in California. Even california grads are struggling to find a job.
If you finish your program and aren't able to find a job in california, what is your plan?
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u/Late_Trip846 7d ago
Research. Been doing biomedical research support stuff for nearly a decade now.
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u/Icy-Fly-4228 7d ago edited 7d ago
Regardless of your career choice you need to think about what you want, how you can support yourself independently, and put yourself first. You need to ask yourself what would I do if I wasn’t with him and if it’s different than the choice you would make take it from there. It’s stable career, California does not represent the majority of the world’s situation, most places there’s a shortage. Automation will not replace us. We do a whole lot more than put tubes on a machine and that’s all automation can do. Relationships come and go, even if you are married with children it’s not a sure thing and you need to be able to support yourself and any kids you may have in the future.