After working in a diagnostic lab for two years following my biology degree, I found the Histotechnology program. With the help of my degree and references, I got my first job at a local hospital three months after graduating, during the pandemic, and passed the HT exam. About four months later I passed the HTL exam. Working at the hospital was a great experience that involved me at every step in a single day, promoting multitasking, general knowledge and even troubleshooting. I currently am a traveling technician on my first assignment in a larger lab, which I hope will be an equally fulfilling experience.

The program Drexel offered was appropriate for both medical knowledge and real-life application. The histology professors truly care about your performance and will shape your career nicely. Oftentimes the best was asked of us, and that is what is needed when eventually students become real technicians (those 12 months pass quickly). To those wondering about the shadowing experience: I fundamentals I learned applied to both smaller and larger hospitals. Viewing the scale of a larger hospital is not something I would try to miss. It feels like that is the trend of the profession, and it has the potential to show you things that may not be in the learning materials.

Along with many others I would like to thank the program director, Chris Mignogna, for his tireless work at two very well-known institutions while making our experience feel like he had all the time in the world for us. Instructor Robert Munger, with his experience and conviction, demonstrated almost-lost techniques that I feel privileged to have seen. If I were asked why histology, in short I'd say because it's an applied, hands-on science that feels like a craft, that offers job security and a flexible lifestyle. If I were to ask why Drexel, I'd add that it is the only master's program, which will enable graduates to obtain supervisory through director-level opportunities, after they have gained experience, as well as the benefit of the reputation that comes with graduating from a career oriented school.