The question I get asked repeatedly by patients, colleagues and even friends is why I switched careers after already having begun a career in Kinesiology and completing a bachelor’s degree. Honestly, the transition between the two has not been all too different or difficult. For myself, having already completed a degree I have a strong foundation in the knowledge of the body, the medical field and strong study skills all of which have been reviewed again in the cardiology technology program. What a load off those courses were! Already having a base in anatomy and physiology, research and health care practices, I was able to really absorb new and even obscure facts I may have missed the first time around. Revisiting all these things was definitely great as well because you forget things you do not use all the time (I cannot tell you how many times someone will have to tell me what side of the body the pancreas is on before it sticks (left). Yes, I did have to look it up again.). My degree and career in kinesiology has helped me a great deal in this transition. I already spend my days interacting with many different patients from all walks of life, attaching equipment, performing tests, and charting on progress. I think that is the area in which I have reaped the most benefits because I am very comfortable with patient interaction when I am in cardiology technologist mode.
Some of the qualities one must possess to be successful in the field of cardiology technology are definitely an interest in healthcare. I do not necessarily think you need a background in healthcare, or another educational foundation other than high school. I think that this is a learning experience for everyone involved, even the most experienced out of our group (and sometimes even the instructors!). I do believe that a wise practice when considering any kind of career is at least observing someone in a field of interest so you can see what their day actually consists of. A good cardiology technologist must be good interacting with people. Attention to detail, being able to work quickly and accurately are also essential. All this I learned by talking to those already in the field, and I felt I made a good match. I am certainly glad I did find something I really do enjoy because it makes studying that much easier when you enjoy the material. The hardest things to learn are the things you do not find interesting.
Now to get a little more personal here, I do truly love my career as a kinesiologist and the rehabilitation field as a whole. I love going to work, helping people (clichéd, I know), and working with the team that feels the same. Where I think a change needed to be made for myself was that I wanted more of that. I wanted to be seeing more patients, working in as part of an infinitely numbered team to get the best results for a patient, and mostly, I wanted to have a wider variety of career opportunities all of which I will achieve with my diverse background.
To know more about Cardiology Technologist Program and Career, check out this video.
![An ECG demonstrates the extensive antero-septal-lateral myocardial infarction [heart attack] that Taryn witnessed.](https://stenbergcollege.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2022/12/ecg-1024x530.jpg.webp)
