It was not an easy journey for me to reach the things I have dreamt about. All I can say is “Without God, I can do nothing.”
I remember the time when I was in high school thinking and searching for a university where I can pursue my college education. There are lots of universities that offer the program that I want to take but one thing is for sure that my dream school is Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas. Every time that I passed by the front gates of this university, I always declared and prayed to become a part of this great institution.
Being a Medical Laboratory Science student is not easy. It requires extreme perseverance, dedication, and an iron will to overcome every challenge that will show up along the way. I didn’t look unto those things then as hindrances instead, I treated those challenges as steppingstones that will bring me to my glorious destination. One of the most unforgettable experiences I had in college was when I joined the search for Mr. and Ms. MedTech where I was asked this question “How do you see yourself 10 years from now?”. With a mindset of a teenager who only wants nothing but to finish college, I was out of words, but I wanted to speak about what I wanted to achieve and the dream that has been planted inside my heart. I confidently answered, “10 years from now, I see myself as a Registered Medical Technologist and having my own Clinical Laboratory” and then I started to hear the crowd “booing” me. But that did not weaken my resolve to become an RMT.
After I graduated from college and passed the board examination, I only rested for about 2 weeks and immediately started finding a decent job. Ever since I was in college there was only one institution that I wanted to work with, and I was always praying to get a chance to work in that institution. To make the long story short, my application was accepted, and I became its employee.
At first, I wanted to become a Cardiologist, but I believe that God has better plans for me. Now, with God’s grace and with the strong learning foundation that my professors in LPU have provided me, I became a part-owner and Chief Operations Officer of two (2) Clinical Laboratories, Multi-specialty clinics, and a Cardiovascular Center. To be able to manage those establishments, I started to think about how I can utilize my skills as a Medical Technologist, and I started looking for available training that will enhance and maximize my capabilities. I think I have achieved better things than originally planned. Presently, I am a certified Drug Analyst, Cardiac Sonographer, and Vascular Sonographer as well.
I want to thank all my teachers from elementary to high school especially my professors in LPU who guided and honed me. I am grateful to know them and be able to get the chance to learn from them all. I truly believe that a good educational foundation is very important combined with the strong determination to fulfill our dreams and aspirations.
Don’t stop dreaming, sometimes what you prayed for comes earlier than you expected or maybe later than what you’ve expected. Always remember that God’s plans are not our plans, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Learn to trust Him more and acknowledge Him in everything that we do, or we might do in the future. Do not be satisfied in a good way that we must always aim for something big and something extraordinary. And always remember that “YOU ARE NOT LATE”, there are lots of opportunities out there. Do not be afraid of failing, learn from it and use it as a steppingstone in your next journeys. Life is truly amazing, don’t lose hope! #ButiNalangNagLyceumAko
#Lycean Laurel
Young Lycean Professional
Nickie De Torres Marasigan, RMT
BS Medical Laboratory Science, 2015
Part Owner/COO, SHALOM Cardiovascular Center