Gaven enrolled at FSC as a Marine Biology major, but soon switched to MLS. In addition to his academic pursuits, Gaven was a member of the FSC men’s ice hockey team, serving as an assistant captain, and held executive board positions, including vice president, in his fraternity, Sigma Chi.
What first attracted you to MLS major? Why did you think MLS was right for you?
What first attracted me to MLS was getting to experience the clinical lab at Lakeland
Regional Health through a tour hosted by FSC. This tour allowed me to see all of the
different instruments and tests that are performed in the clinical lab. I knew that
MLS was right for me when I learned about the variety of work opportunities available
to MLS graduates. Once you become an MLS, you are able to work in the various departments
of the clinical lab (hematology, coagulation, chemistry, serology, urinalysis, etc.),
and you are also able to work in specialty departments, such as microbiology and blood
bank.
What is the most exciting or rewarding aspect of the program?
The most rewarding aspect of the program was during my clinical rotations. During
our rotations through the different departments of the lab, we were able to apply
our knowledge and the procedures that we had learned about during our classes.
How is MLS different from other majors?
One way that MLS differs from other majors is in the variety of potential work opportunities.
With an MLS degree you are able to perform laboratory testing in human medicine and
veterinary medicine. There are also employment opportunities with the companies that
are making the laboratory instruments.
What are your career goals, and where do you hope to use your training after graduation?
My career goals are to graduate veterinary school and become a large animal veterinarian.
Even though I am going to school to be a veterinarian, I am still planning on maintaining
my MLS license. Lab work is crucial in veterinary medicine and the training I received
from the program is going to be extremely helpful during my time in veterinary school
and as a practicing veterinarian.
Update:
Gaven was accepted into veterinary school and is now attending Midwestern University
in Arizona. He was also accepted into a Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externship
Program designed to provide prospective veterinarians with exposure to, gain experience
in, and develop networking opportunities in equine veterinary medicine within the
racing industry.
