Original post:
https://www.reddit.com/medlabprofessionals/comments/8vwh9l/mls_coworkers_are_boring_people_and_so_is_the_job/ So I just graduated as an MLS (and passed my ASCP!), and accepted a job from one of my rotations last month. I'm working as an evening shift tech in micro/chemistry/and hematology. While I'm still learning a bit, I'm finding the job to be incredibly repetitive and boring (I probably didn't notice as much in school as I was always studying). My coworkers also seem to be boring older moms, with whom I can barely relate. I know work is work, but I didn't realize how mind-numbing this job was going to be. In college, a lot of my friends are nurses, and I still find myself hanging around the phlebs and RNs. My coworkers seem very unsociable and stodgy. Is this the norm (I've rotated through 4 labs and it seems the same everywhere).
I'm planning to do this for a year or so and try for PA school (or MBA if that doesn't work out). This field definitely isn't for me. I like being around people, getting to use my brain, and staying in shape. This doesn't seem to be the case for the lab. A lot of coworkers are borderline anti-social, hate any kind of change/thinking, and are in poor health (no I don't want the cheap cake/donuts you keep bringing!) I'm also finding that working holidays absolutely sucks. How do you people do it?
Was wondering if anyone is in the same boat/feels the same?
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level 1
imaginaryme24MLS-Generalist 45 points·
5 months ago I’ve been in this field for 13 years and have worked with all ages and types. I can’t think of anyone I haven’t been able to find at least something good in and something I could relate to and there have been very few people I haven’t outright liked.
I find your blanket statement that everyone is boring and stodgy more a testament to your unwillingness to be open minded than a testament to them. It’s not your coworkers job to entertain you.
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DerfalkenMLS-Generalist 10 points·
5 months ago Good points. I have a similar mentality to you; someone would have to really push my buttons to get me to dislike them. From what OP wrote, it doesn't seem like their coworkers did anything to antagonize them, except having the gall to offer them sweets, and not having the same interests!
Some people are very quick to find qualities they don't like about others. OP came off as very judgmental by writing their coworkers (and other techs) off as anti-social bores, and only after a month working there!
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Kimberkley01 37 points·
5 months ago Not sure what you were expecting. Yes a lot of us are introverts. That's one reason why we're drawn to the lab. It's not a club or the fashion industry after all. We're nerdy.
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jenny530-9 points·
5 months ago(2 children)level 1
Miss_SarahMLS-Molecular Pathology 57 points·
5 months ago Jobs are what you make of them. I enjoy being a tech. I'm 27 and I thought the same thing about my coworkers when I started. But guess what? As you grow and learn each other's personality you will get along more. My best friend at work is 55. You don't have to partake in the doughnuts or cake that they bring in. Just be greatful that someone was trying to be friendly and share something with you.
These "problems" are in each job that works as a team. It's not limited to the lab. I guarantee that PAs and Nurses have boring days and share cake too.
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danteheehaw 12 points·
5 months ago They just don't share the cake with the lab. Assholes.
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Zodnick11MLS-Blood Bank 24 points·
5 months ago Dayshift eats all the cake... Night shift gets the crumbs
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imaginaryme24MLS-Generalist 3 points·
5 months ago So true
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kai_al_sunMLS-Management 5 points·
5 months ago That's why second shift brings in stuff and hides it till dayshift leaves.
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danteheehaw 2 points·
5 months ago I would hide cutlery for night shift. Only told night shift the location. Left a note on it saying, "For night shift. We do not have access to the cafeteria after hours". Every fucking time day shift would find it, ransack all the forks and spoons.
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danteheehaw 2 points·
5 months ago One lab I worked at held a party every year on lab week. Night shift, without fail, got 1 slice of stale veggie pizza and diet coke. Even though, every year, night shift was promised a small budget for their own party, and promised to be able to listen to music. We were told every time, when we got in, no music because 1st and 2nd shift got rowdy. By rowdy they mean some of the music had bad words that offended a tech.
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honeybee620MLS-Microbiology/Molecular 7 points·
5 months ago This. Exactly. It takes a bit to warm up to techs but in my first lab I had a “work mother” who was 55 and pretty much took me under her wing. Also all these people taught me so much knowledge in the Micro world.
I think it’s sad that people feel you don’t use your brain at all for anything in this job. I love being a Micro tech and deciphering stuff and watching Micro resistance develop.
And RNs have boring days and repetitive days too. Even in the ICUs. Yeah sure, occasional codes and stuff. But my friends who are nurses know the routines. Wait on patients hand and foot, meds, vitals, charting, etc.
Only reason lab doesn’t get paid more is because we don’t have an organization to back us up like the nursing peeps do.
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MurrrtitsMLS, PA-C 1 point·
5 months ago And also work holidays
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Needtoreup 63 points·
5 months ago Yeah we work in the lab so we don’t have to talk to people.
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Shower_caps 1 point·
2 months ago I don’t mind talking with coworkers about work stuff but have you found that people in labs you’ve worked at who don’t talk a whole lot socially are sort of ostracized?
I don’t even mind small talk but I’m tired of working at places where you are basically treated like something is wrong with you if you don’t join in when people are laughing and talking or just don’t talk a whole lot socially.
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jenny530 0 points·
5 months ago That's definitely not why I signed up.
I have no problem communicating with people. I've found that interacting with other people helps me grow as a person.
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IGOMHN 13 points·
5 months ago lmao then you probably should have done literally anything else
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Kimberkley01 12 points·
5 months ago Where I work now, it's mainly 20 somethings, across a shifts and they really do all hang out and do stuff outside of work. Sometimes they re yacking away even when there's workvto do. I think it depends on the place but I for one don't need that level of stimulation and quite frankly don't want it. I have a very busy life outside of work with people I actually want to be with, lol.
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stphniMLS- Generalist extraordinaire 19 points·
5 months ago I'm very much a "gloves on, mouth shut" tech. It's frustrating sometimes because I get labeled as being anti-social, when really I just don't like socializing when I am on the bench and actively working. I like to laugh and have a good time, but I also don't like mistakes being made because we're not paying attention.
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Kimberkley01 6 points·
5 months ago Yup. Me too. IDGAF. Not there to make friends. But bonus if I do.
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medlabber 5 points·
5 months ago I am like you. I hate it when ppl don't do work and talk loudly in the lab, distracting ppl in the lab. I don't want to hear about their personal life. Ppl need to shut up and do the work.
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Shower_caps 1 point·
2 months ago I’m interested in this career path and this is how I prefer to work. Have you noticed it’s affected your work environment negatively apart from being labeled as anti-social?
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stphniMLS- Generalist extraordinaire 2 points·
2 months ago Not really, but I also make an effort to socialize on breaks, during the shift when it's appropriate, and outside of work sometimes. You just have to establish clear boundaries of when to work and when to have fun. When everyone knows that patient care is the reason, it makes a difference.
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b_gsdMLS-Generalist 10 points·
5 months ago You might encounter the same thing being a PA. Older moms and dads.
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xAsianZombieMLS-Generalist 18 points·
5 months ago What I find is that people feel this way about most jobs, it's not like it's unique to MLS.
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SmackadoodleJ 15 points·
5 months ago I mean you'll find a similar thing in most fields. Some labs are better than others. At least they aren't vindictive, catty, back stabbing and such. Maybe try for first shift eventually or try for blood bank or plate reading. They do get repetitive but are more stimulating in my opinion. It just seems pretty drastic to consider changing your entire field from only one less than ideal job experience. That being said, you got yourself into a field with high turnover. My advice would be stick it out and if it's really bad find another lab. Sounds like a lab with a higher ratio of younger people would be good for you.
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wangston1 7 points·
5 months ago I only worked for a year but I liked everyone I worked with. Even the really anxious workers that aren't good at there job. You just have to learn how to talk to all sorts of people. Some people are harder to get to open up than others. But most people don't mind talking about there hobbies or things they like. I learned some crazy things about horoscopes, and crystal balls etc, also what it's like to run a record store. Also how to cook various foreign dish.
I enjoyed learning about what people have a passion for outside of work. Lots of things I have never done. That being said I wouldn't really hang out with those people outside of work, but while at work you can bet I'm going to have a good time.
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penguin_zombie8888MLS-Generalist 5 points·
5 months ago Yep. Sounds about right to me. However, I've just accepted it because I feel like it would be impossible for me to change careers at this point. I also value reliability and stability in my job, so I'm afraid to give that up.
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Shower_caps 3 points·
5 months ago Because I feel like it would be impossible for me to change careers at this point
If you feel comfortable sharing, why do you feel this way?
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penguin_zombie8888MLS-Generalist 2 points·
5 months ago Even though my post sounds pretty negative, I do actually like working as an MLS. I'm not actively looking into changing careers, but I do daydream about it sometimes. The reasons why I feel it would be very difficult to switch careers are mainly financial and logistical ones. I need my full-time MLS job to pay the bills and keep a roof over my head. It's not really possible for me to give this up and go back to school; I wouldn't be able to support myself. So, this would limit my career choices to something that could be achieved by going to school in the evenings only. Even then, most career programs require some type of internship somewhere that would probably take place during the daytime. So, I don't feel like this is really attainable for me. It seems like I just have to make do with what I have.
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jenny530-11 points·
5 months ago(2 children)level 1
onwisco15MLS-Generalist 6 points·
5 months ago I think what has saved me is I’ve mostly worked alone. So while that stinks, it’s nice not having to deal with unsociable coworkers. But I’m easily 25 years younger than the next youngest tech at my place so I had low expectations when it came to relating to them
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ajdin313 6 points·
5 months ago Sounds like you work in a shitty lab, all of my coworkers are awesome.
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Aldo-BloodlinesMLS-Generalist 9 points·
5 months ago Sounds to me like you've made up your mind about this honestly. I work in a lab where most of us are about the same age 24-30 around there. We're pretty social and we get along pretty good, but at the end of the day work is work. it also takes a while to build up a good friendly relationship with coworkers. The job becomes extremely routine after a few years, but its strange to me that you feel that way already? You just started if im not mistaken, so tough it out at least 6 months before you dip.
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Tess-LaCoilMLS-Microbiology 6 points·
5 months ago I love my job. I'm a microbiologist in Australia, we get a lot of resistant bacteria which keeps it interesting and we're all pretty young. I even got to work in Cambodia training local scientists for most of last year. I think the job is what you make of it mate.
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jwaxonwaxoff 4 points·
5 months ago Although it varies from lab to lab, I find that usually the evening shift people are less likely to be the “social type”. Usually supervisors and managers aren’t there, there are less people and usually the people who work that shift like to get on with their work because there’s typically not a lot of time to chat. I’m an extremely social person and have not had a problem with anti social behavior in any of the labs I’ve worked in.
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someNIGHT 5 points·
5 months ago My coworkers are great. Everyone is really outgoing and hilarious. We have gone out to happy hours, done beach bbqs, community service events and even gone to theme parks together. It really depends on where you work, but that can be said about any career. Not all labs are the same either.
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chemousey 4 points·
5 months ago The job is what you make it; I love going in every day. I enjoy socializing with my peers, and while many simply wont accept an invitation to do anything, others are absolutely great people to hang out with. A majority of my coworkers keep in good physical condition as well.
It just seems you've gotten a snapshot of one lab and are expanding that to all labs, which is far from reality. If/when you find yourself searching for a job you should consider more than just hours and pay scale; sometimes the offer(s) that seem the best on paper are really the worst choices if you really take a look at the day-to-day of the facility.
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busterbrew 3 points·
5 months ago Why don't you try working at a biotech company? It's not so repetitive and the field typically draws in a younger and more extroverted crowd.
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TheGhostOfRichPianaFormer MLS-Mortuary/Medical Student 3 points·
5 months ago I had similar experiences... I knew about 1 year into my degree that I wouldn't keep doing it as a job any longer than I had to. If I hadn't gotten into medicine then I was going to leave for the army or police.
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MycobacteriumLIS 6 points·
5 months ago Most techs are OAF, and are already not sociable which is why they are in the lab. These two factors make for some unpleasant people.
I’m 44 and pretty non-social on a “normal people” scale...but I feel pretty good about things if I compare myself to some of the troglodytes I’ve worked with. If you can’t make it about the work and not the people then yea, find another field.
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jenny530 -3 points·
5 months ago > Most techs are OAF, and are already not sociable which is why they are in the lab. These two factors make for some unpleasant people.
That's what I'm coming to realize. In school they called them "toxic techs", but these seem to be the people who hang around the longest. I have no interest in becoming one of them.
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Psyker_girlAustralian SBB/SH 2 points·
5 months ago I think it all depends on your job. I've been a specialist haematology/blood bank scientist for 5 years at the same job and I love it. I get to see new interesting cases pretty much every day of the week (large reference lab) and my coworkers are varied in age and experience.
ReplyShareReportSaveGive Awardlevel 1[deleted] 2 points·
5 months ago I'm not an MLT/MLS, but I work in the "pre-analytical" part of our hospital lab. I work with mostly either older adults, people with associates, or people with bachelors who need experience. A lot of people ended up at this job because it's the only one that would hire them, but a few are working towards becoming a med tech.
Even though my experience may be different, I find the same to be true. I agree with
Miss_Sarah; you will get to know them better and get along better. However... most people working in a lab are probably introverts. This means that, even if they're actually really interesting, they probably won't talk much.
I'm planning on going into nursing now (end game psych mental/health nurse practitioner). I need more stimulation than I would get even if I
did work back in autolab/chem/hem/urines/whatever (instead of printing labels/sorting all day lol).
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jenny530-5 points·
5 months ago(5 children)level 1
brotatochip4u 1 point·
5 months ago I work in a molecular laboratory and we're constantly implementing our own LDT's and trying new platforms. We just got a sequencer last week and I will be doing the validation. It's never boring for me...just have to find a lab willing to grow and have a sweet research budget.
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5 months ago That's a really awesome find!
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EJK1199 1 point·
5 months ago I think it truly depends on the lab and the “office culture.” Every work environment will have the toxic people, and every environment will have some people you connect with more. I’ve worked in hospitals, private labs, and now pharma/biotech. Each place has a different vibe. I personally enjoy biotech more than the other two, but it took a little while to figure it out. Don’t base career changes off one less than stellar environment. Maybe look into being a travel tech, or move to a new city! Try different types of labs and give it a real genuine shot. I’ve hung out at work happy hours with people ranging from ages 21-60. I’ve also avoided them because I’m more introverted and sometimes we don’t feel like conversing after 8 hours of it. Don’t write off an entire career just yet, give it a fair chance :)
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BoxeswithBears 1 point·
5 months ago Totally the norm, and yes, mostly mind numbing. If you like going through the motions and waiting to clock out, this may be the field for you! It is incredibly repetitive by the very nature of it. The people are probably more varied, but it is hard to argue with you as my coworkers sound just like yours.
ReplyShareReportSaveGive Awardlevel 1[deleted] 1 point·
5 months ago The people in my rotations were awesome and outgoing. A big part of that is my charm which always brings out the best in those around me. Maybe they sense your negative vibes. Regardless, like you I'll be moving on to nursing or PA because I'm drawn to people. I would have (and should have) bailed on this long ago. I stuck with it because I'm not a quitter.
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SlugSnailTwistMLS-Generalist 0 points·
5 months ago Draw a venn diagram of reddit users and MLS workers, and you'll have a good explanation for the responses you're seeing here.
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jenny530 0 points·
5 months ago I think that's what I'm seeing here for sure.