8 answers
Nabiha
Student
Winona, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
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I am an undecided student but I want to major in Radiology. How can I get started ?
I’m a student at Winona state Univeristy, and my major is undecided. I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field, and I was interested in Radiology. I want to be a radiology technician and i’m wondering if it’s worth getting a bachelors degree for it. Are there any pros & cons? What classes are recommended? Please let me know.
5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nabiha !
The program that you are speaking of at Winona State University is the Bachelors in Radiography. I left a link for you below of the Program Course Requirements for this Major. No one can tell you whether or not you should do it, but I can say that it is an excellent career choice, one that you'd always be able to obtain work for.
Your first step that would help you would be to read over the program outline of required courses. This program also offers students the chance to do Clinicals at The Mayo Clinic ! This is an outstanding opportunity. Keep in mind that this path would be for being a radiology Technician. A Radiologist is a medical doctor and you'd have to go to medical school for that.
Your second step that may help to decide would be to visit the Radiography Department at the college. Ask to speak with the Chairperson or Dean and obtain information about how to start being a Radiography Major. Then visit your academic counselor and discuss it. Based on the information they provide to you, you'll know whether or not you'd want to register for Radiography as a Major.
The only way any major is "worth it" for you is if you have a strong drive and passion for the career. No one can tell you what's best for you because your future belongs to you. You will have to believe it is the right thing for you. I think that if you start learning about the work that radiography technicians do, you can see if you'd like to do it as a career or if it's just a fleeting interest. I left a link to some videos for you below. Also, you would not know your pros and cons until you begin and stay in your career for a while.
So before you decide, first learn about the actual work duties involved, obtain information about declaring a major from an academic counselor on campus as well as a department head at the Radiography Department at your college and be true to yourself about what you major in because the degree is going to have to qualify you for the career you really want.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
BS MAJOR FOR RADIOGRAPHY AT WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULL PROGRAM COURSE REQUIREMENTS https://catalog.winona.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=38&poid=7040
VIDEOS ABOUT RADIOGRAPHY WORK https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+radiography+technicians+do
The program that you are speaking of at Winona State University is the Bachelors in Radiography. I left a link for you below of the Program Course Requirements for this Major. No one can tell you whether or not you should do it, but I can say that it is an excellent career choice, one that you'd always be able to obtain work for.
Your first step that would help you would be to read over the program outline of required courses. This program also offers students the chance to do Clinicals at The Mayo Clinic ! This is an outstanding opportunity. Keep in mind that this path would be for being a radiology Technician. A Radiologist is a medical doctor and you'd have to go to medical school for that.
Your second step that may help to decide would be to visit the Radiography Department at the college. Ask to speak with the Chairperson or Dean and obtain information about how to start being a Radiography Major. Then visit your academic counselor and discuss it. Based on the information they provide to you, you'll know whether or not you'd want to register for Radiography as a Major.
The only way any major is "worth it" for you is if you have a strong drive and passion for the career. No one can tell you what's best for you because your future belongs to you. You will have to believe it is the right thing for you. I think that if you start learning about the work that radiography technicians do, you can see if you'd like to do it as a career or if it's just a fleeting interest. I left a link to some videos for you below. Also, you would not know your pros and cons until you begin and stay in your career for a while.
So before you decide, first learn about the actual work duties involved, obtain information about declaring a major from an academic counselor on campus as well as a department head at the Radiography Department at your college and be true to yourself about what you major in because the degree is going to have to qualify you for the career you really want.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice.
Jeffrey Wallk
Product Management & Knowledge Engineering
15
Answers
Schaumburg, Illinois
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Hi Nabiha,
Building on Tanaka's response above, you may want to consider adding the following courses and skills:
Master Clinical and problem-solving skills
- radiologists are integrators of information combining imaging data with patient medical history, lab results, and physical exam to form a holistic diagnosis.
- collaboration and communication skills are key when working with other specialists to make complex judgements beyond the image analysis
Embrace Technology
- yes, AI is being viewed as a threat but only by those who have not been able to incorporate it as part of their professional toolkit
learn the fundamentals of AI (how algorithms work, the capabilities and limitations of statistical reasoning, and the inherent concerns with inferencing and hallucinations
- add AI-focused electives where you can find them in your school
play with some of the existing AI engines on the internet and see what they know and what they can do
Specialize in Complex and High-Demand areas
- focus on complex areas like interventional Radiology which involves minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. AI can assist but the decision-making remains with the radiologist
- you may want to consider learning about Genomics and incorporating personalized data about patients along with their biological data with the imaging as personalized medicine continues to grow and evolve. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of disease and how it manifests within patients (individuals)
Regards,
Jeffrey
Building on Tanaka's response above, you may want to consider adding the following courses and skills:
Master Clinical and problem-solving skills
- radiologists are integrators of information combining imaging data with patient medical history, lab results, and physical exam to form a holistic diagnosis.
- collaboration and communication skills are key when working with other specialists to make complex judgements beyond the image analysis
Embrace Technology
- yes, AI is being viewed as a threat but only by those who have not been able to incorporate it as part of their professional toolkit
learn the fundamentals of AI (how algorithms work, the capabilities and limitations of statistical reasoning, and the inherent concerns with inferencing and hallucinations
- add AI-focused electives where you can find them in your school
play with some of the existing AI engines on the internet and see what they know and what they can do
Specialize in Complex and High-Demand areas
- focus on complex areas like interventional Radiology which involves minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. AI can assist but the decision-making remains with the radiologist
- you may want to consider learning about Genomics and incorporating personalized data about patients along with their biological data with the imaging as personalized medicine continues to grow and evolve. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of disease and how it manifests within patients (individuals)
Regards,
Jeffrey
Tanaka Ndoro
13
Answers
Updated
Tanaka’s Answer
Greetings Nabiha,
Yes a degree is required by employers if you want to because a radiology technician. They may require at least an associate degree.
Pros are :
There's good salary, it's on high demand so you will not struggle with employment and the training period in order to become a capable radiology technician is only two years and you will have your associate degree.
Cons:
It is a physically demanding job due to long standing hours and helping patients to position well during radiation.
They're shifts and you might have a shift at night or on holidays and weekends.
Recommend classes in highschool are ;
Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Science, Chemistry , Mathematics, English and Computer Literacy
You need to have these subjects in order for you to apply for a Radiology technician associate degree.
Yes a degree is required by employers if you want to because a radiology technician. They may require at least an associate degree.
Pros are :
There's good salary, it's on high demand so you will not struggle with employment and the training period in order to become a capable radiology technician is only two years and you will have your associate degree.
Cons:
It is a physically demanding job due to long standing hours and helping patients to position well during radiation.
They're shifts and you might have a shift at night or on holidays and weekends.
Recommend classes in highschool are ;
Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Science, Chemistry , Mathematics, English and Computer Literacy
You need to have these subjects in order for you to apply for a Radiology technician associate degree.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
833
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I would highly recommend reaching out to your schools, alumni association. Specifically looking for people who took a similar path to the one you are considering. You can ask those individuals what they wish they would have known before going into the field, and if they would recommend it to others.
I almost made a career change and based on feedback from others, I decided to stay where I am and I am glad I did.
I almost made a career change and based on feedback from others, I decided to stay where I am and I am glad I did.
Ubani Serah
Midwife
3
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Ubani’s Answer
Hi
It's a good thing that you aspire to go higher
Radiology is a very good course, you will work in diagnostic centers or hospitals
With radiology you will be able to visualize internal organs and identify problems associated with them
However, for you to excel in it, you have to be determined and make up your mind to do so, in that way, it will not be too difficult for you to comprehend every aspect the course
Thanks
It's a good thing that you aspire to go higher
Radiology is a very good course, you will work in diagnostic centers or hospitals
With radiology you will be able to visualize internal organs and identify problems associated with them
However, for you to excel in it, you have to be determined and make up your mind to do so, in that way, it will not be too difficult for you to comprehend every aspect the course
Thanks
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