Finding a Second Career Calling in Medical Laboratory Technology
From vet tech to lab tech After spending two decades as a veterinary technician, Jennifer Rector ‘21 knew she needed to make a career change. In her early 40s, she realized that the physical nature of the job was taking a toll. She found a second calling—and a much more lucrative career—through Oakton’s medical laboratory technology program.
“It had been more than 20 years since I had gone to school. I knew my first step would be to update my science and math credits, so I started part time. That was a good way to get back in the habit of studying so that when I started full time in the MLT program in 2019, I was back in the swing of things. Of course, about two-thirds of the way through my first year of the program, the world changed.”
Facing challenges and building a network Jennifer and her classmates faced unique challenges as they attempted to continue their education during the Covid pandemic. Much of the hands-on learning in the MLT program requires clinical rotations in which students learn on site at local health care facilities. Despite these major challenges, Jennifer and most of her classmates were able to graduate on time.
“The teachers and directors of the program were able to think creatively and pivot. The program is small and tight-knit. We all got to know each other really well and I think going through Covid just made all of us even closer. And now I've discovered that the lab world is a small world. Once you get out of school, no matter where you end up, you find someone who knows someone at another hospital. My classmates really did end up being my colleagues.”
Finding a lab with variety One of the locations for Jennifer’s clinical training ended up being the perfect fit, and she was hired immediately after finishing the program and passing her licensing exam.
“I work at Advocate Good Shepherd in Barrington, where I did most of my clinical training. Sometimes when you work at a hospital, you have to specialize in one bench. What I love about my job at Good Shepherd is that I’m always rotating different benches. One day I'll be on chemistry; one day on a manual bench where I’m analyzing body fluids and reading the blood films; and then the next day I’m on blood bank, which is something near and dear to my heart because I am a lifelong blood donor. When I send the blood up to the floor, I know that I am literally saving someone's life that day.”
The joy of having two fulfilling careers As a lifelong learner who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others (both animals and people), Jennifer is committed to continuing her career journey by seeking advanced training for her future in the lab. She’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become a medical laboratory supervisor.
“When I first actually stepped foot in the hospital lab I got the feeling of: ‘Ah, yep, this is it. This is what I can do until it's time to retire.’ After 23 years as a vet tech, I didn’t know if I’d find another calling, but I find this career very, very fulfilling. We’re helping the doctors make their decisions by running the samples that give them the information they need to choose what to do next. It is a joy to find the second thing that I love doing this much.”
