Selection of clinical laboratory science as a career

This study investigated the factors that influenced students to choose clinical laboratory science (CLS) as a career. Demographic data on 28 CLS students was collected using an eight-item questionnaire. Data related to influencing factors in the selection of CLS as a career, and the most and least attractive characteristics of CLS were collected using a nominal group technique. Seventeen out of 26 (65%) students indicated that an interest in science influenced their selection of a CLS career. Thirteen out of 26 (50%) students indicated that job opportunities influenced their selection of a CLS career. Twenty-four out of 26 (92%) participants viewed the CLS degree as an intermediate step to medical school, higher education, or another career. The data collected from this study increases understanding about what attracts students to train for CLS careers, and may have implications in the retention of graduates within the clinical laboratory profession.