h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey Susan, I wrote back to your thread earlier without first visiting your site and found some things to add...I'm considering entering the science field, it's seemed to be the one subject I've been able to take an interest, and thus excel, in. So I was interested to see you work in a lab...is that researching for PSU? What type of work is that? I know the field im entering, just not sure on where I'm gonna take it as a career Oh and I have to ask, are the lions gonna holy their head up this year in football?! haha I try to be a fan, but how are they lookin? wouldnt wanna lose any money...lol

Actually, I started out in the business/supervisor field for the first incarnation of my career and was an office manager of a hospital based medical office when for whatever reason I decided I wanted some initials after my name. I had gone to college just out of high school but didn't stick with it. So in my thirties I went back to college. I had seen a display for Medical Technologist at the hospital (we are the ones that run all the lab tests that the doctors order) so that's what I wanted to do. I got my degree and got certified as a med tech. At the time there were no openings at the hospital and really I had decided I wasn't sure I wanted to work shifts, and week-ends and holidays. We lived in Hollidaysburg at that time so State College was not that far away. There was an ad in the paper for a part time cell culture technician at the Animal Diagnostic Lab so I applied and got the job. That was ten years ago and I'm still here. I'm not doing cell culture anymore but have done any number of things here, like virology, fluroescent antibody testing, PCR, aquaculture and ELISA testing. We are a full service diagnotic lab with 7 pathologists on staff, micro lab, EM lab, histology and immuno-histo-chemistry. Right now I do all the ELISA testing for mammalian diagnostics and help out with Serology, Virology and aquaculture. We mainly do diagnositc testing on cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, goats and horses to help the vets figure out what is wrong with the animals. We also do a lot of regulatory testing, such as tests that are required before an animal can be exported, bought or sold. In reality I am doing pretty much what I would be doing at a hospital(in fact we use some of the same test kits) but I'm doing on animals instead. And I don't have to work week-ends, shifts or holidays. It is about as secure a job as one can get these days since Penn State is not likely to go out of business and you can probably imagine that there are quite a few farm animals of economic importance in PA. We are part of a three lab system in PA that includes the Pennsyvania State Vet lab down there in Harrisburg with you (it's right across from where the big farm show is every year) and the New Bolton Center at the University of PA. If you are ever heading this way let me know and I'll be glad to give you a tour. We are quite proud of ourselves actually. I would also not hesitate to recommend a Med Tech degree as the best all round training for someone who wanted to go into lab or research work, even though it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. (yes, we do a bit of research but our main mission is diagnostic) Oh, and I did end up with all kinds of initials behind my name (B.S.,MT, ASCP)

That would definately be a cool job to look into, I'm currently looking at being a pharmaceutical dr., since I'm not really sure how happy I'd be working in a closed in lab situation. I'd love a tour, and I'll be up in the area a good bit, as I said, my brother will be attending South Hills for the next 3 years...I'm glad to of met you, 2 weeks on the site and its already proving useful! Thanks for the info, being 16 any shove in the right direction when it comes to a career is much appreciated!

When you are in the area just give me a call at work (865-5795) and as long as I'm here I'll be happy to show you around. And if you want something more in-depth like following some of the departments around for a day or two I'm sure something could be arranged.
Susan

thanks much...you may get a ring this fall

Casey