Author: Erin Wilson
A love for analysis led student Batool Alakech to the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. She’s always been fascinated by the medical diagnostics and procedures behind deducing exactly what is going on for a patient.
“That kind of naturally led me to Medical Laboratory Sciences, because that's the core of where that work happens— they're the ones that take the patient's specimens and samples and analyze them, run tests, figure out what's going on and relay it back to the care team,” Alakech said. “I think that [MLS] is the perfect crossroads between analysis and medicine, two things that I'm very passionate about.”
Alakech plans to go to medical school following graduation from the MLS program and considers medicine “one of the most direct ways that you’re able to help people.” She’s interested in exploring pathways to improving health care access for underprivileged populations through her career.
“I’m very passionate about the science that goes behind it, and I also very much care about the patient care aspect,” she said. “I think helping people is one of the most noble ways to use your time and being able to apply those skills through medicine is very valuable.”
Though she’s originally from North Dakota, Alakech had her eye on the University of Minnesota MLS program because it's one of the only in the U.S. to offer it as an undergraduate degree. The end of last semester marked a milestone for Alakech, who said it was a difficult semester that forced her to evaluate how much she’s committed to her career choice.
“I felt like giving up multiple times, but as I progressed, I realized more and more that this is what I want to do and I'm going to work as hard as I possibly can in order to make this my future,” Alakech said. “It was strenuous, but I think I learned a lot about myself, what my limits are and how to push past them.”
Alakech said interacting with faculty and students in the MLS program has been encouraging because “their passion is infectious,” adding that she feels supported and believes it’s an underrated program for what it provides. She sees herself pursuing pathology one day as a continuation of lab work blended with her interest in patient care.
“I have always seen myself working in a lab, because that's where I'm most comfortable. But as I proceed in this program, I'm seeing more opportunities,” she said. “Pathology has a lot to do with the work and data that MLS brings to the table. Even if I don't end up pursuing medicine, the crossroads between MLS and pathology would help me practice better.”