BC’s new Research Laboratory Technology (RTEC) Baccalaureate program is a new opportunity for those who are looking for a career working with new and advanced laboratory technology.

The program manager, Dorothy Mullen, had some time to talk about the benefits and skills this emerging initiative offers to its applicants.

Mrs. Mullen said that this program involves being more “hands-on” and “less theoretical.” Its purpose is to be able to teach students to go into a lab setting and “use equipment and maintain it.” Students in the program will learn to “set it up, [and] break it down.”

When asked how difficult the program is she said that “if you’re someone who has an interest in sciences” then it would be a good option. “It’s geared towards community college students,” she added.

Mullen also thinks this is a great chance for students. She elaborated, “I think it’s tremendous, a really great option to save money.” It is “cost-effective” and “a great opportunity for people who don’t want to go out of town.”

Mullen outlined the jobs available to these graduating students, stating that students can become biological, chemical, environmental, and geological technicians. Mullen and other people involved in this program will “visit local labs in the next couple weeks to see what equipment they’re using” so they can get some ideas for what they should use.

They are gearing the program towards what is currently in demand in the market. They will “tour the Kern County crime lab” and “Sun World in Wasco.” “The goal is for students to work jobs in the Central Valley,” said Mullen.

If you want more information regarding this program, RTEC is hosting multiple information sessions for both of Bakersfield College’s baccalaureate degree programs, Industrial Automation and Research Laboratory Technology. They will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m., and Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. Do not miss it if you’reinterested. All three sessions will be held on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center building.