Medical Technologist Forum - Can I become an MLS in CA?: Hello all, I made my first account just ...

Hello all, I made my first account just to post because I am making some life changing career decisions. I ended up with MLS as my dream career and have been thinking about this for the past half year. This career goes back to my roots and what I loved in high school (lab work), and fits into what my strengths and weaknesses are as a person and abilities. Because I was immature and I didn't think my grade mattered in undergrad, I really suffered in GPA, and I think maybe my only option is to get into an online NAACLS 1-yr program like Texas Tech or University of Cincinnati, and then do well in those and then apply to an out of state 1-year hospital internship. Would that qualify me for a California CLS license? (I believe the main hurdle here is 1-year clinical internship) Surprisingly, I haven't found any information on my particular situation online, are there any other forums about this career? Thank you for anyone who takes the time to respond to this, I really need some input, I've tried adding hundreds of CLS's on LinkedIn but they only added me and never gave me their input. Any opinions on how you feel about this career so far and about the career choice, what it takes, what kind of person this is great for are great too. I honestly am a lab nerd and would fit in great I think. (please remember that CA is unique, because of the higher salary, I realize MLS really sucks in some other states, and people don't specify their location when they give their inputs) My stats: UCLA Environmental science B.S., environmental engineering minor, (did premed prereqs) 2.7 cumulative, 2.5 science BCPM gpa ; summer of lab experience at a prestigious research place in high school (Does this even matter? It was 2006, and so long ago, would it help me get a specimen processor job at quest?) (was thinking of taking courses this fall and getting A's, like organic chem and microbiology, but from CC or my university's extension?)