When I see Mayo One flying overhead, I feel good about that. I'm thinking, "Go get 'em guys." I know, in a way, that I am part of that service to patients. I know Mayo Clinic is here for the good and not just the money.

The job of the histology technician is to take tissue that has been removed from someone and prepare it so that a pathologist can look at it under a microscope for disease. In order to examine anything under a microscope, it has to be cut thin enough so the light from the microscope can pass through it. We go through a lengthy process of using alcohol and chemicals to remove the water and firm up the tissue. Then we cut it very thinly with a special machine and place the tissue onto a slide. Then the cutting is stained so you can better see the cells that need to be analyzed. Histology at Mayo Clinic is broken up into three main jobs: embedding, cutting and staining. We rotate through these areas every day.

I'm a very independent person. I like to do things myself. If something is wrong, I will take the blame, and if it's right, then I know that I did it. I like working on preparing eye tissue. I process them, cut them and embed them. I feel like this is my little niche. Sometimes a person can feel like one small piece of a big operation at Mayo, so it is the little things that bring satisfaction. The other form of satisfaction is knowing that I put forth my best efforts every day.

Being conscientious is important. Patients are relying on our best. If there is a mistake, it can be devastating. Attention to detail, good hand-eye coordination and good eyesight are important skills.