Riley Mansini discovered the Bridge to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-Life Sciences program by accident when visiting St. Louis Community College’s website.
The program sounded like something she would enjoy, so she applied. She was offered an interview, qualified for the program and is now a full-time phlebotomy lab assistant.
The Bridge to STEM-Life Sciences program has a foundation of developmental education with built in supports of tutoring, networking, industry support, and job readiness. Participants must have a high school diploma or GED, and must be available to take classes 8 a.m.-1 p.m. daily, Monday-Thursday. Upon successful completion of the 32-week program, graduates earn a Life Sciences Lab Assistant Certificate of Specialization from STLCC.
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The program is designed to prepare students for entry level-positions in life science research, development and production. Students in this program will learn to master basic lab techniques and methods used in life sciences research and development laboratories such as pipetting, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, centrifugation and more. Students will also learn laboratory math to support their life sciences lab skills as well as the language skills they will need to effectively communicate with others in the field.
Mansini said STLCC gave her the confidence and encouragement she needed to do the task at hand and have the confidence to know exactly what she was doing.
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“Although I am not in a lab setting every hour I am on the job, knowing all of these skills I learned in the program has made me a better phlebotomist because I can actually understand what happens after I draw the blood and deliver it to the lab,” Mansini said.
The Bridge to STEM-Life Sciences program begins Aug. 19. Classes will be taught in the state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories at the Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park, 1005 N. Warson Road, across from the Monsanto World Headquarters.
“In order to be successful in this program, you need to be driven and not afraid to accept a challenge,” Mansini added. “I thank STLCC for helping me shape my dreams into a reality.”
To register, call 314-513-4961 and leave detailed contact information. Include the correct spelling of your first and last names, your current telephone number and an email address. The program coordinator will call you to provide more information.
Established in 1962, St. Louis Community College is the largest community college district in Missouri and one of the largest in the United States. STLCC has four campuses – Florissant Valley, Forest Park, Meramec and Wildwood – that annually serve more than 81,000 students through credit courses, continuing education and workforce development programs. For more information about STLCC, visit www.stlcc.edu.