Taylor Hennessee didn’t set out to pursue a career in medical laboratory sciences. A routine doctor’s visit in high school sparked a curiosity that would ultimately shape her future and lead to a prestigious summer opportunity at the Mayo Clinic.
“It was honestly by accident,” Taylor said. “I had a doctor’s appointment in high school and my physician noticed I had never had any baseline labs done. After having that done, I was curious. I started wondering: Where did all the samples go? Who ran all of the testing? Is it all robots or were there people behind all of the results?”
That curiosity led her to discover a field that operates largely behind the scenes but plays a critical role in patient care. Now a junior in the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program at NIU, Taylor has immersed herself in the specialized coursework that prepares students for careers in diagnostic testing and analysis.
“It was absolutely perfect,” she said. “I knew I wanted to go into healthcare but I knew nursing wasn’t for me, so to discover a career that was behind the scenes but still has a significant impact on patients was exactly what I was looking for.”
Her academic path recently opened the door to a highly competitive summer experience. Taylor was selected for the Mayo Clinic Summer Lab Science Program, a 10-week paid opportunity that places students at clinical sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin, where they gain hands-on experience and learn from professionals in the field.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who has helped me get to this point,” she said. “I can’t wait for all the things I’ll learn and the people I’ll meet that work in my field.”
Taylor will spend the summer at the program’s Eau Claire, Wisconsin site, where she will assist with tasks such as specimen and reagent preparation, data analysis and educational sessions while observing high-complexity testing performed by certified laboratory professionals.
Though the work often happens out of public view, she says its impact is undeniable, especially as demand for laboratory professionals continues to grow.
“It isn’t easy, but it is so rewarding knowing the impact you have on patients even though you never see them face to face,” she said. “It’s definitely a vital career, but it’s not talked about nearly enough.”
Learn more about MLS at NIU.
