College Diploma AFTER Bachelor's Degree??

[jinjupearls]

So my plan was to finish my Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry and THEN go to get a diploma to become a Medical Laboratory Technologist. My reason for doing this is that I'm in the 2nd year of my degree so I might as well finish, right? & I want to get a diploma for Medical Laboratory Technology because it's somewhat of a related field but also seems like a reasonable career pathway.

Will having a bachelor's degree AND diploma increase my chances at getting a job?
Do you think that this is good thing to do? & by good, I guess I mean is it smart to invest my time in this way??

[Ryougo]

You should apply and accept to MLT if that's what you want to do as a career, it's never a sure thing to get in and if you wait and find out you can't get into MLT after what will you do? For the sake of argument let's say you could still get in for sure afterwards, the cost of staying at school is two years worth of expenses and your missed opportunity costs for what you would have made working.

[jinjupearls]

I think I should've mentioned that I will also be applying to the Medical Laboratory Science B.Sc program (which is a 4 year degree) after my 2nd year, which means that I will still be taking 6 years of school before I'm able to work anyway. The pathway I mentioned initially is actually an alternative route I could take to get there (from what I've read and researched) but both ways take the same amount of years.

[Zarazakzr]

If you do the MLT program you will have to do a work placement as part of your school training. From what I hear, the majority of these placements offer their trainees a job after the placement is done if they don't suck. Having a B.Sc. might open more doors for you later in your career and may help you move up. Since you're only going into 2nd year I would probably go for MLT now but you are probably too late if you wanted to start this Fall.

As for the Medical Laboratory Science B.Sc program, if it's accredited so you can get the CMLTO cert I would personally do that.

[Syne]

If you do the MLT program you will have to do a work placement as part of your school training. From what I hear, the majority of these placements offer their trainees a job after the placement is done if they don't suck. Having a B.Sc. might open more doors for you later in your career and may help you move up.

Not only that but having a related B.Sc. will also get him the best co-op placement pretty much guaranteed and put him well ahead of his classmates with regard to some of the material.

If you can't get a job after a STEM degree and a STEM diploma combined, there's something wrong with the job market.

[MissMalfoy]

I think it's really common for people to get college diplomas after a Bachelor degree. The learning style is completely different and gives you different kinds of opportunities.

I think in your case, it would be a smart move.

[brian.gerson]

Me, I don't see why you'd want to go to a 4 year ugrad program that required further study at a community college for you to be employable. I went on to a higher degree, but I could have gotten a good job right after ugrad engineering.

[Syne]

^ I agree that it does seem a little backwards, as your workload will essentially be cut in half in College providing you tried decently hard in university.

[raymondh]

I have a buddy whos doing the opposite of what your doing. He says he will be getting hands on and theory experience. Not sure if thats going to be good enough tho.

[meagicano]

I'm doing a graduate certificate at Algonquin, starting in the Fall. I already have a BComm... so I wouldn't consider it any sort of step back or anything. It's just another way of getting what you want.

[neonlily]

Not only that but having a related B.Sc. will also get him the best co-op placement pretty much guaranteed and put him well ahead of his classmates with regard to some of the material.

If you can't get a job after a STEM degree and a STEM diploma combined, there's something wrong with the job market.

As someone who has a B.Sc and is doing a College Diploma in Med Lab I can tell you this isn't true. Almost all of my class has some sort of University experience, most having a degree so it's not going to put you ahead for your clinical placement.

Also, why does it matter your workload is cut in half? You need to be able to get certified under CSMLS and you have to go to a certified Technologist program to do this.