CAREER DAY LIED—BUT MLS TOLD THE TRUTH.

Amplifying The Medical Laboratory Science Story with Better Career Days

AIM:

This article tells a story that many MLS students and professionals will find familiar—It emphasizes the crucial role career days play in raising awareness about Medical Laboratory Science (MLS).

GIVEN:

Career days, Medical Laboratory Science, awareness.

METHOD:

Expository Essay

PRINCIPLE:

She saw a white coat. I saw courtroom robes. We met halfway—in a lab coat.

Career days in secondary school? Iconic.

The day when everyone dressed up as what they wanted to be, or at least what they assumed they were supposed to/want to be — Doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers — even if you weren’t exactly sure about your future, you could always count on one of those to make a solid statement.

For me, I dressed as a doctor, even though I wanted to be something else. My white coat was sewn just in time for the big day. I borrowed a real stethoscope from a doctor, and posed like I knew what I was doing.

It was a whole performance. The school buzzed with ambition and borrowed costumes. There were engineers wielding plastic hammers, nurses with toy syringes, and bankers with fake briefcases like the stock market depended on them. Yet no one, not even a single person, showed up as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. It wasn’t on the career board. No one came to speak about it. No posters, no banners, no costume ideas. I didn’t even know it was a profession—until one conversation turned everything around

Source: Marvin McTaw

PROCEDURE:

Unlike many science students who adored medicine, I knew from the start it wasn’t for me. I had courtroom dreams. Big words. Big wins. A gavel in my hand and drama in the air; not because I was in love with law, but because I figured it’d fit my personality. However, life had other plans—and by “life”, I mean my sweet, loving Mother. She had her heart set on Medicine and Surgery for her first child. And honestly? I don’t blame her. It was the classic, respectable choice. So, science class it was.

I found myself navigating the maze of physics, chemistry, and biology, with one thought constantly echoing in my mind: I don’t belong here! Then came Aunty Ronke, a family friend. Well, technically, a family friend of a family friend. It was one of those unexpected encounters that ended up shifting the entire course of my life. She was a tear rubber scientist from the prestigious University of Jos. We had been talking about school and careers —the usual adult-small-talk-with-teenager routine. I don’t remember much about the day, like what I wore or what the weather was like, but I remember telling her how I didn't want to be a Doctor. She leaned forward with a slight glint in her eyes as she asked, “Have you ever heard of Medical Laboratory Science?”

The term barely registered. “Isn’t that like… science lab technology?” I asked, genuinely confused. I knew she'd been in university for years, but all the talk of inductions, licenses, and internships had sounded so strange. Definitely not the regular bachelor’s degree flow.

Aunty Ronke would go ahead to break it all down for my young mind. Her voice was clear, sure, almost rhythmic with every word she uttered and her eyes sparkled, not just with knowledge, but with excitement. She explained the intricacies of the Medical Laboratory Science profession—how it was more than just working behind the scenes, involved real science, real impact, real responsibility. She described the different paths—haematology, chemical pathology, histopathology, microbiology—and for the first time, I saw a path I could explore. It didn’t feel like a push. It wasn’t a sermon. Just one woman sharing what she knew, and unknowingly helping a teenager see a whole new world.

And just like that, MLS made its entrance—not loud, not dramatic. Just…. intriguing.

Becoming a lawyer was the dream, Medicine was Mama's plan. And Medical Laboratory Science? It was the middle ground. The best ground I could imagine standing on at this moment in time. It was not the courtroom I saw myself waving my hands at, nor the consulting room where my mother swore I would cure cancer, but the quiet little laboratory where miracles are measured in microliters.

Source: Pinterest

Was I instantly in love? Not really. But I wasn’t repulsed either. At first, I wasn’t jumping out of my seat with excitement, but I began to see a path I could walk. I realized how Medical Laboratory Science makes sense of the unseen, turning invisible things into knowledge. This is probably what I love most about Medical Laboratory Science—the magic of it all. People often say Medical Laboratory Science is behind the scenes, but I think it’s the reason the scenes even make sense.

Over the years, I've learnt that I’m not stuck in the laboratory behind a desk with several machines, the bench is a launch pad to the several possibilities that are available to me. I could easily enter into the research space, command respect in public health, establish dominance in genomics, lend my strong voice to health communications, excel at data science, rule in toxicology and forensics, add to the body of knowledge by educating the next generation, among other career opportunities available to me. The possibilities are indeed endless. Medical Laboratory Science gives you wings if you’re willing to fly. It gives you a microscope, yes—but also a megaphone, if you find your voice.

And that brings me back to Career Days.

Career Days: The Footwork Involved.

Source: Pinterest

While Career days are riddled with dressing up and aesthetic pictures, they should be more than that. Career days should, in its core, be an avenue where students are introduced to a variety of professions, both conventional and non conventional ones. It should be an opportunity to broaden the horizons of the young minds participating.

In reality however, the kind of work involved in making this happen is often too much for the schools and students to handle. Even with the best curriculum, schools and educators need the support of the wider community of professionals, organizations, and creative platforms to reinforce and amplify the message. That’s where innovation and collaboration come in.

Events like science fairs and career workshops where young students are provided the information needed about underexplored career choices like the Medical Laboratory Science profession. It’s not enough for students to simply hear about it; they should be given the chance to see it in action. Visual tools like handheld machines, charts, microscopes, and engaging activities like games and interactive storytelling can spark interest early on. These experiences will demonstrate that Medical Laboratory Science is not just a fallback option, but a legitimate and exciting career path.

Our organization, MedLabConvo (MLC) is already leading this charge with events like Medical Laboratory Science Career Day (MLSCD), Forging A Career Path and communities like the UniVerse and INTERNtional; taking awareness and impact to new heights.

Beyond Footwork: Leveraging on Social Media

As stated above, career days should carry more weight than they currently do and this can be achieved through collaboration with interest organizations and actual foot on the ground. However in this current day and age the power of social media cannot be removed from driving influence. Capitalizing on the reach of the global village is a key factor in getting young aspirants to see the truth and prestige of the Medical Laboratory Science profession.

When students are exposed to Medical Laboratory Science through school activities, it’s just the beginning. But when they see it celebrated across social media, discussed in trending podcasts, and spotlighted in viral videos, the impact deepens. Medical Laboratory Science isn’t just a field of study—it’s a story that needs to be told. Why can’t learning about it be fun, engaging, and shareable? Platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram can bring science to life in creative ways, from behind-the-scenes lab tours to real-life stories of professionals saving lives every day.

MedLabConvo is already making waves through its podcast, LabCast—making Medical Laboratory Science relatable, engaging, and fascinating. We need more of these conversations—more podcasts, live talks, and social media series where Medical Laboratory Scientists (and even non-lab folks!) share their stories, demystify science, and make the field come alive. Ensuring that as awareness grows about Medical Laboratory Science, the professionals in the field—those making a real difference—get the spotlight they deserve. We can have kids who dream of becoming the next Odinaka Kingsley Obeta, shadowing amazing professionals like him and seeing the impact they make firsthand.

COMMENTS:

At the heart of it all, career days still matter, but they must evolve. They’re not just events that fill the school season calendar, they’re springboards. As Medical Laboratory Science professionals and conversations show up more in schools, on socials, at events, the profession ceases to be a mystery and starts being a real option. Students will not just consider it, but choose it.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Medical Laboratory Science profession could use more exposure and louder voices. If we want the profession to outlive us, it is time to turn up the conversations and make them loud enough to spark curiosity, clear enough to inspire choice, and cool enough to carry into every space occupied by the present and future generations of humanity. .

P.S. My mother couldn’t be more proud—and thankful she didn’t force MBBS on me. These days, she’s the one tired, because I won’t stop talking about Medical Laboratory Science. She sees the passion, the purpose, and yes, she’s proudly Team LabCoat now.