What can you do with a Clinical Laboratory Science degree?

First, some facts. Of the Clinical Laboratory Science graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 254 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Clinical Laboratory Science graduates have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 26% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Clinical Laboratory Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Clinical Laboratory Science degree?
• What do Clinical Laboratory Science graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Clinical Laboratory Science degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Clinical Laboratory Science degree?
• What are the best colleges for Clinical Laboratory Science?

View a random Clinical Laboratory Science graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 66% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2015 from Jefferson Health with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Clinical Laboratory Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Clinical Rotation Cooper University Hospital May 2015 - Jun 2015 The clinical rotation at Cooper University Hospital directly applies the clinical skills and knowledge obtained in the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science, making it highly relevant. Clinical Rotations Temple University Hospital Apr 2015 - Aug 2015 Clinical rotations at Temple University Hospital provide practical experience in laboratory settings, closely aligning with the core competencies of the Bachelor's degree. Medical Laboratory Scientist Temple University Hospital Feb 2016 - Nov 2017 As a Medical Laboratory Scientist at Temple University Hospital, the role directly utilizes laboratory science knowledge and skills essential to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. Medical Laboratory Technologist II Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Feb 2016 - Aug 2020 The position of Medical Laboratory Technologist II at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia directly involves laboratory techniques and diagnostics learned during the Bachelor's program, validating its relevance. Quality Improvement Specialist Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Jun 2019 - Aug 2020 Although the role of Quality Improvement Specialist at Childrens Hospital may not directly use laboratory science knowledge, it may involve some understanding of clinical processes and standards, making it somewhat related. Medical Technologist MultiCare Auburn Medical Center Aug 2020 - Dec 2021 Working as a Medical Technologist at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center engages some laboratory skills relevant to the degree, but may also include broader healthcare tasks that aren't strictly laboratory-focused. Project Program Coordinator Virginia Mason Medical Center Oct 2021 - Jul 2022 The role of Project Program Coordinator at Virginia Mason Medical Center primarily involves project management skills rather than specific clinical or laboratory science knowledge, thus lacking direct relevance to the degree. Organizational Change Analyst Seattle City Light Sep 2022 - Present As an Organizational Change Analyst at Seattle City Light, the job does not require knowledge or skills acquired through the Bachelor's in Clinical Laboratory Science and focuses on organizational dynamics instead. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Science - MS The George Washington University - School of Business 2019 - 2021 ABOUT I am a passionate and dedicated OCM/Change Practitioner who thrives on navigating organizations through transformative journeys. My experience includes successfully guiding organizations through strategic change by implementing effective strategies, communication plans, stakeholder engagement, and training & development initiatives. I am committed to shaping cultures that embrace change and drive innovation.Let's connect and explore opportunities for transformative growth together.

What jobs can you get with a Clinical Laboratory Science degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Medical Technologist
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist
• Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Laboratory Supervisor
• Laboratory Manager
• Medical Technologist II
• Senior Medical Technologist
• Laboratory Technician
• Microbiologist

When looking at the job trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, it seems clear that a significant number of them have pursued careers that are directly relevant to their field of study. The most common roles include Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, and various specialized positions such as Blood Bank Technologist or Microbiology Lead. Across numerous job descriptions, the relevance of these roles to Clinical Laboratory Science is strong, as they entail applying laboratory techniques, conducting tests, and analyzing samples—essentially the core competencies one would expect from a graduate in this discipline.

However, there are also instances where graduates have ventured into jobs that don't appear to directly relate to Clinical Laboratory Science. Positions such as Human Resources Assistant, Sales Associate, or even roles in project management focus more on skill sets like administration, customer service, or logistical planning, rather than the technical skills of laboratory work. While some of these jobs may benefit from soft skills or a foundational understanding of healthcare, they generally lack the practical application of laboratory science principles that characterize the majority of the listed careers.

In conclusion, it’s evident that graduates of Clinical Laboratory Science predominantly find employment within the realm of medical and clinical laboratories, where they directly utilize their education and training. Yet, the occasional drift into unrelated fields does highlight a broader spectrum of career possibilities for these graduates, albeit with varying degrees of relevance to their academic background. Overall, sticking to laboratory-focused careers seems to be the path most aligned with their degree, ensuring they apply their specialized knowledge effectively in the workforce.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Clinical Laboratory Science graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Clinical Laboratory Science graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Analyzing the career trajectories of recent graduates in Clinical Laboratory Science reveals a mixed bag of outcomes. For many, the journey begins with a solid entry point: most graduates begin their careers as Medical Laboratory Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists shortly after finishing their degrees. This is encouraging as it shows that many are finding jobs directly linked to their field of study, which is crucial for gaining experience and developing skills. Positions at hospitals or medical centers are prevalent, suggesting that graduates are effectively stepping into roles that utilize their educational background and training.

As we dive deeper into their careers five or ten years out, the landscape becomes more varied. Many graduates stay within laboratory roles, pursuing advancement to supervisory or managerial positions, which indicates a successful climb up the professional ladder within healthcare organizations. However, there are notable exceptions. Some graduates seem to drift away from traditional laboratory roles, moving into unrelated fields such as sales or management. For instance, graduates moving into roles in business development or customer service highlight a potential trend where some individuals find themselves outside the clinical sphere altogether. This could be indicative of a broader trend where the skills gained in clinical laboratory science are applicable in multiple arenas, but it might also reflect a lack of satisfaction or opportunity within the field itself.

Over the years, those who remain in the field often specialize or transition into higher-level roles, such as laboratory managers or clinical supervisors, showcasing the potential for growth and leadership in the healthcare sector. However, instances of graduates returning to school for further education, transitioning to roles not directly related to clinical laboratory science, or even taking part-time or temporary positions raise questions about job stability and satisfaction within the field. It's clear that for many, the first step in their career aligns well with their studies, but long-term commitments may vary significantly based on personal interests, market demands, and job satisfaction. Overall, while the future remains bright for many, the journey can lead in multiple directions, illustrating both the versatility and the challenges of a career in clinical laboratory science.

How hard is a Clinical Laboratory Science degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you enjoy science, especially biology and chemistry, and have a knack for detail-oriented work, you might find it a bit easier than other degrees. However, it does require a solid grasp of complex concepts, plus a good amount of lab work and practical skills that can take time to master. Overall, it’s definitely more demanding than your average degree because you need to juggle coursework, lab sessions, and sometimes even clinical rotations, but if you're passionate about it and stay organized, you'll probably do just fine!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Do Clinical Laboratory Science graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career trajectories of these Clinical Laboratory Science graduates, it seems that many have established stable careers, with numerous holding positions that suggest they are making decent money. Individuals who have moved up to supervisory or managerial roles, like the Medical Laboratory Scientist at Baylor Scott & White Health or Hospitalist Physician Assistants, typically command higher salaries. There are also quite a few graduates with multiple transitions that led to more senior positions, which often come with significant salary increases.

However, some recent grads and early-career individuals are still in entry-level positions, like the Medical Laboratory Technician at Saint Alphonsus or those who just started as Medical Laboratory Scientists after graduating. While they may start at lower salaries, their upward mobility in the industry tends to improve as they gain experience and credentials. Overall, it looks like the field has good potential for income advancement, depending on the specific path one chooses after college.

What buzzwords do Clinical Laboratory Science graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Clinical Laboratory Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Clinical Laboratory Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
University of Cincinnati	93	10