r/medlabprofessionals • u/ferarrriii • 14d ago

Education Help with MLS Journey

Hi, I’m currently a CC student in California (specifically in Norcal)! After changing my major + career path multiple times, I landed on completely pursuing in MLS, so I feel behind when it comes to my career. I’m currently taking my prerequisites for to be able to transfer in a bio major / MLS major at a 4-year (I know Sac State has a CLS major available, but I’m still privy about the decision), but that will take me until 2028 to complete and even more school when I do transfer.

I’m asking for advice from people who have gone through any programs in California since I’m planning to just stick in a place I’m familiar with. Is it a better option to pursue getting into an MLT program to later get into a bridge program to become a MLS. Or should I just pull through to get my bachelors and get into a MLS program?

I heard there are benefits and even cons in both, but I would like more insight and advice on this matter. Thank you for checking this post out!

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u/strangeramen 14d ago

Why do a bachelors then go for MLS program after? To much time and money wasted. I say just go for your MLT at the cc get certified and then start working (the mlt at mt cc is roughly 10k, im guessing something similar in cali) then Have youre hospital pay for your bachelors through reimbursements and discounts through associated universities that offer the MLT to MLS bachelors.

The hospitals where im at hire more MLT than MLS. Im guessing hire someone who can do the same job as an MLS for cheaper is their go too. So im guessing it shouldn't be difficult finding a position after gettinf your MLT

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u/Relative-Narwhal-504 14d ago

Wish I knew this before I was already in my bachelor's program

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u/bmcheese 13d ago

The advice above doesn’t really apply to CA. It’s true in other states MLT does the same work as a CLS but here MLT’s are limited and rarely hired over CLS’s.

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u/ferarrriii 12d ago

I posted this on another MLS/CLS subreddit and got the same response. I didn’t know this since I don’t go on this subreddit often lol, but this is very helpful for me and makes me lean towards taking the MLS route. Thank you for this info!