Name: Amy DesRoches

Position: previously a medical technologist; worked at various hospitals in New Hampshire and El Passo, Texas

Education: Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology

• Q: What inspired you to get into the field of medical technology? A: As a young mother in the 50s and 60s, I wanted a career that paid pretty well to support my five children. I also have always been fascinated with science and the human body.
• Q: What was the path to your previous job? A: I went to the University of New Hampshire, graduated in four years, and applied to be a medical technologist starting in El Passo, Texas.
• Q: What were your basic roles and responsibilities? A: I would draw blood from patients, analyze blood, prepare blood for transfusions, and operate medical equipment.
• Q: What was the most rewarding aspect of being a medical technologist? A: I would say being able to save lives through blood transfusions was the most rewarding part. 
• Q: What was the most surprising aspect of your career? A: I was most surprised at seeing all of those patients with diseases I only read about in my textbooks. It was like seeing illnesses I read come to life.
• Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your career? A: The most challenging part was learning the new technology developed as time went on.
• Q: What is advice you would give to someone going into the health field? A: You need to stay focused. Make sure you do well in your classes and make sure you enjoy math and science. If you don’t love your job, don’t suffer— find work you actually enjoy if the health field isn’t for you.