Mariah Riddick, MLS(ASCP)

I contribute my success to where I come from and the mindset it gave me. Growing up in a rural community like Perquimans County, NC taught me early on how to be resourceful, grounded, and determined. There’s a certain strength that comes from having to work with what you have—and not letting that limit what you believe is possible.

Getting into clinical laboratory science was not a straight path for me—it was shaped by obstacles that could have easily stopped me. Although I was an honors student in high school I came close to not graduating due to being considered truant. I had an intense struggle with anxiety and mental health my senior year of high school leading to increased absences. Luckily, I had a team of teachers and a guidance counselor that believed in me and helped make a way for me to graduate on time. When I was able to start making plans for college and a career I found that coming from a low-income community and family, with limited local access to colleges and educational resources, pursuing this career required me to be persistent from the start. I relied on Pell Grants to even make school possible, and while working as a pharmacy technician, I balanced long hours on the job with the demands of MLT school. Before I applied for MLT school, I was terminated from a Medical Assistant program due to an absence policy after an illness, which was incredibly discouraging and could have been the end of my journey. But instead of giving up, I found another path and went back to the same college to pursue my MLT, allowing that setback to reroute me rather than define me.

I also carry the perseverance and resilience of the women who came before me. Their strength, sacrifices, and ability to keep going no matter the circumstances set the foundation for how I approach challenges. Because of them, I’ve learned how to stand firm, adapt, and keep pushing forward even when things aren’t easy.

A big part of my success is grit—the willingness to keep pursuing opportunities even when doors seem closed. I’ve learned not to take “no” as the final answer, but as a delay, a redirection, or a sign to grow and try again. Timing matters, and I trust that just because something isn’t meant for me right now doesn’t mean it never will be. When the opportunity comes back around, I make sure I’m ready for it.

The best career advice I ever got was: “Take every experience you can get—nothing is too small to count.”

Early on, I thought only big roles or impressive titles were worth putting on a resume. But I learned that even small opportunities—helping on a project, volunteering, shadowing someone, picking up an extra responsibility—can build real skills and show initiative. Those experiences add up, and over time they tell a much bigger story about who you are and how you work.

Now I see a resume less as a list of titles and more as a reflection of growth, curiosity, and effort—and even the smallest steps play a part in that.

When you’re trying to figure out your path—whether it’s school, career, or life in general—there is no single right answer. I’ve found that what made you happy as a child often reflects what will bring fulfillment as an adult. Stay curious, explore your options, and pursue what genuinely interests you.

One of the biggest challenges in laboratory medicine is recruitment and staffing shortages. Low staffing increases workload and puts pressure on accuracy and turnaround times, impacting patient care. At the same time, there’s an opportunity to mentor and actively recruit new professionals into the field, which can help strengthen the workforce and ensure quality care.

Integrity, authenticity, honesty, transparency, and professionalism are foundational values for me. At the core of everything, I also prioritize kindness and giving people grace, because the energy we bring to interactions affects others and shapes the environment we work in.