Bluffton University

Job offer in hand

10/18/2024

Hands on experience in the classroom prepared Imani Smith-Enamorado for a medical career.

Medical laboratory science major has skills

Imani Smith-Enamorado ’25, a medical laboratory science major from Middletown, Ohio, has been working in a laboratory and feels prepared to graduate and start her career in the medical field. 

Enamorado has been working at Kettering Health-Dayton and has been able to work in a lab and see firsthand what the work environment is like. Now, Enamorado is finishing up her final year of classes and is gaining even more experience working in a lab setting. 

“My classes this year are really hands on, which has significantly helped me,” said Enamorado. “Most of our time is spent working in the lab with real human specimen, which is unique and helps us gain better knowledge of our field, so we are prepared after we graduate.” 

Originally a pre-medicine and biology major, Enamorado heard about Bluffton’s medical laboratory science major from Dr. Sarah Lehman, assistant professor of biology. Dr. Lehman encouraged Enamorado to try out this major, and after a few courses, Enamorado says she really enjoyed it. 

“All my science classes here at Bluffton did a good job teaching me basic skills such as how to use a microscope and do certain things,” said Enamorado. “This helped me when I got my job because I didn’t have to learn those skills since Bluffton taught me them.” 

After Enamorado graduates in May, she plans to continue working at Kettering Health-Dayton. As a student, Enamorado received this job to gain more hands-on experience, and this experience has led her to receive a full-time job offer once she graduates. 

Medical laboratory science is one of Bluffton’s newer majors. The degree prepares students for careers as scientists who conduct and read medical tests. In their final year of study, students like Enamorado complete coursework through the West Central Ohio Medical Laboratory Science (WCOMLS) Program administered by Ohio Northern University while remaining students at Bluffton. The WCOMLS program is the only program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences run by a private college in Ohio.