After graduating from my histotechnology program and passing my HTL exam in 2017, I remember feeling overwhelmed during the first few months of my histology career. My brain was crammed with information, and I was excited to apply the topics I learned in my histology program towards my histology career. During my previous job as a pharmacy technician, I realized the topics I learned in school did not always translate to the working world. Even with graduating and obtaining my certification, I knew there would still be a lot to learn! Below are a few important tips, based on my own experience, that all new histology graduates should be aware of when entering the working world after graduation.
Review your resume, network, and volunteer.
The first tip I have for new histology graduates is to review your resume. Make sure to list your histology internship as well as the skills you learned while there. If you were involved with any societies, organizations, or participated in any activities, make sure to include those. Ask classmates and family members to review your resume. They may be able to catch something you miss or help you explain your skills a little better.
Networking can also be helpful when trying to search for that first histology job—this can be as simple as creating a LinkedIn profile! Even after you land your first job, networking is very important for career growth and can usually help you find those secret opportunities you would have not found otherwise. Consider getting involved with the local histotechnology society in your state and the National Society for Histotechnology (NSH). The NSH has tons of various volunteer opportunities that do not require an unreasonably large time commitment. By being involved with these societies, you will always get more from it than what you put in. I have found the volunteer work and the NSH Convention to be very rewarding!
Always be humble and ask for support.
Your new coworkers will understand that you still have a lot to learn, and they do not expect you to be an expert right away. The microtome at my first histology job was different than the microtomes I used as a student. When I first noticed the difference, I was a little worried and scared that I would struggle. Instead of acting like I knew how to use the microtome, I let my manager know that I would like a few practice blocks as I had never used that specific microtome before. I learned how to use the microtome fairly quickly after the practice and was ready to start on patient tissue. Even though I understood how it worked, it still took me months to become proficient.
Focus on quality over quantity.
Once I learned how to use the microtome at my first histology job, I wanted to catch up to speed with everyone else. As a student, I was a fast cutter, and I was expecting that same speed on the first day on the job. However, now, I was working with patient tissue and in a very different environment. No longer was I in a student lab! I had to add extra steps to ensure that I had printed out the correct slide and that the block I was cutting matched the slide I printed out. Slowing down to ensure patient safety came first. Do not focus on speed as a new histology graduate. Focus on quality and the speed will eventually come!
Ask questions.
At my first histology job, I sat next to a histology tech with years of experience. A few of the questions I asked felt like dumb questions, but she never made me feel like they were, and she was very supportive. I have found that most people are very excited to help new histology techs, so do not be scared to ask questions. We were all a new histology tech at one point and we are now eager to give back! Even now, I still ask my coworkers questions. Depending on where you work, you may specialize in a certain area such as immunohistochemistry, grossing, or special stains. We all have various knowledge areas and asking questions is a way for everyone to continue to learn.
There is always something to learn in histology.
Every lab is different—different specimens, different equipment, and different processes and procedures. Once you become an expert at your first histology job, there will still be a learning curve with every new histology job you start during your career. My first histology job was in a high-volume hospital lab, and once I switched over to a veterinary research position, I felt like I had to re-learn how to cut since animal tissue is very different from human tissue. It also took me a while to adjust to a slower environment where I could focus more on quality since some of our researchers use images of our slides in presentations and research papers. If you switch to a new lab after a couple of years, do not be discouraged if you feel like you are starting all over! It takes time to get adjusted to a new environment.
Celebrate yourself!
As a new graduate entering the histology profession, be patient with yourself, lean on your co-workers, and keep moving forward. Entering a new career can be daunting, and it’s important to remember that success takes time. Trust the process, keep working hard, and be patient – your efforts will pay off in due time. Don’t forget to thank those who helped you along the way and be sure to celebrate yourself for all your accomplishments.
Written By: Sara Sheppard McCracken, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC
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