Marienell Talla

Marienell Talla (Toronto, Ontario)

Radiological Technology, Class of 2020

Biography

My name is Marienell Talla, and I am in the MRS program - Radiological Technology stream. When I'm not studying or working, I like hanging out with friends, baking, and of course, binging Netflix. I've always wanted to work in healthcare, and found out about the program in a Graduate Fair at the University of Toronto.

What and where did you study before joining MRS?

I did two years in the Life Sciences Program at the University of Toronto.

What attracted you to the MRS program?

I had not actually considered the profession until I came across the MRS program. As I looked into I realized it was a great opportunity to get started in a career in healthcare while finishing my Bachelor's degree at the University of Toronto. The profession as a radiological technologist is very versatile, you can work in the hospital or private clinics, and you get to be involved the care of a huge range of patients.

How is MRS different from your previous university experience?

Since the programs are generally pretty small compared to University programs, everyone in my program is really close and so we help each other out where we can. Also, you get the opportunity to get to know your professors and they are more than happy to help if you're struggling.

Once you decided to pursue this field, why did you choose to study with us?

I chose to study at Michener because of its partnership with UHN and the University of Toronto. Michener guarantees clinical placements, most of which are in the GTA . I also liked how we got to go into clinical for a couple months right at the end of first year so we could get a taste of the clinical experience and for second year we can see more clearly how what we learn fits into practice. I know other programs have all of their clinical placement at the end, which to me, is not as favourable.

What do you like best about the program?

I found that the best thing about the program was that we get plenty hands-on learning before we even get to clinical. There is a lot of lab time and sometimes even after-hours open labs for us to practice for our practical exams. We also get patient actors to simulate real patients and get lots of feedback.

What is your favourite MRS memory so far?

My favourite MRS memories are just getting to know my classmates, whether it was late-night cram sessions or hanging out outside of class.

What is your favourite spot/activity on or near campus?

My favourite spot on the University of Toronto campus is Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, which is on College Street and attached to the Medical Sciences Building where we've had a few classes. There's an indoor area full of trees and plants, so on a cold or miserable day you can sit somewhere surrounded by greenery.

How is the workload? Do you have time to get involved in campus life, sports, clubs or to work part-time?

The workload can be heavy at some points in the semester, because it's a full course load each semester and a lot of the assessments are scheduled close together but I still found time to be involved at Michener and work part-time. I am the Radiological Technology Class of 2018-2019 representative in Student Council. I was also the MRS Faculty Representative in the University of Toronto Interprofessional Healthcare Student Association. And lastly, I work part-time at Michener as a student receptionist / customer service representative.

Where is your clinical placement? What is it like?

My placement is at St. Michael's Hospital. It has a huge medical imaging department so every week we were in a different area for the first clinical rotation. It was pretty fast paced on certain days, and we also get the experience of working in a trauma center. All the technologists took their time to teach me and a majority of them are graduates of the MRS program.

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to pass my licensing exam and work as a Radiological technologist in a hospital. I will most likely pursue more higher education (such as MD or Master's) and specialization courses in the future.

What advice do you have for prospective students who are considering the program/profession? What do you wish you had known as an applicant?

I would tell future students that it is a great community and to not be afraid of asking your professors for help. Also, depending on your year, there is a chance that you will have to relocate for clinical. There are a few cases where you can get special accommodations to stay in the area or apply for a bursary to relocate. Each site has their pros and cons depending on what you are looking for, but they each offer a good learning experience.

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For more information about the MRS Program visit www.medicalradiationsciences.ca