Clinical Laboratory Professions Are My Next

Abstract

![Graphic][1] ![Graphic][2] In 2015, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) launched “What's My Next” an interactive campaign to address the workforce shortage in laboratory medicine. An important part of “What's My Next” is the Lab Hero program (formerly known as the Career Ambassador program). Since 2009, the Lab Hero program has put laboratory professionals and pathologists in classrooms across the country to teach students about career opportunities in laboratory medicine. Here, Rezvaneh Parsa talks about her experience in the program . My journey to the Lab Hero program began about five years ago, when I was having lunch in the break room of the laboratory where I worked, and I overheard a couple of my histotechnologist colleagues talking about an interesting volunteer opportunity through the Lab Hero program with ASCP. I researched the ASCP website and discovered more about this program, that seemed like a wonderful way to get involved. You can imagine my excitement when I was accepted into the ASCP Lab Hero program for the 20112012 school year. After the program's orientation, I thought about ways to spread the word about my career. I sent a round of emails and letters to the principals, counselors, science teachers, and biology department heads at my daughters' schools in Frisco Independent School District in Frisco, Texas. Those messages … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif