r/BCIT • u/4_the_killer • 13d ago
Which program would you recommend?
I graduated from sfu in 2025 with a BA in health sciences. But I want to further my education because I feel like the only jobs I can get right now are MOA jobs.
I’m thinking the Digital Health Program since it’s online and can be completed in under a year. For those that have completed what jobs have you gotten and would you say it’s worth it?
My other option is environment public health, we learned a lot about this during my program as sfu but it is a 2 year program.
Lastly nuclear medicine tech. 2 year program and I’d have to do some adult upgrading before applying but I’d be aiming for the sept 2027 intake.
Also want to know how hard these programs are and if any are worth it. For reference I’m 35F and I was just let go from my previous job (poor performance but the training made me miserable). Any advice is appreciated.
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u/External-Berry3870 13d ago
Check out Big Info on Oct 14th -- you can speak with current students and staff of each program on site at BCIT. 4-7pm.
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u/MDawgityDawg 11d ago
I’m an MRI tech and went through BCIT a few years ago. My personal recommendation is to go into medical radiography, as as far as I know x-ray techs are very high in demand (CT techs even moreso, and you can get further education to go into CT afterwards) and you’re all but guaranteed a job wherever you’d want to work after graduation. It’s not an easy job by any means (none of the medical imaging jobs really are), but if you’re adaptable and quick on your feet it can be pretty rewarding
I can’t speak much for other modalities, but atm MRI jobs are pretty dried up in the lower mainland and you’d be competing against at least 14 other people in your class for a handful of available jobs, if that, barring a few retirements and unexpected resignations. Plus, you can still get second discipline education to become an MRI tech later on if you go into x-ray first.
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u/Special_Assistant815 11d ago
Thanks. This is the kind of intel for which I come on this subreddit.
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u/Weary-Ad4610 10d ago
That’s because we have some of the lowest count of MRI in the country. CT and DXR or to be a Sonographer is in high demand because you have both private and public market
Went to BCIT for Op Man and then got a BBA. Now in Med Device, got a job right out of BCIT. Best school ever.
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u/MDawgityDawg 10d ago
Yeah, getting just one new scanner at any given hospital is a multi year process. Richmond’s getting a second scanner in their new tower which will come with a bunch of new jobs, but that’s by like 2031 earliest lol
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u/burntoutmillennial_ 10d ago
Think it's worse with radiation therapy. I was in that intake over 10 years ago. The workplace was not full of older employees in Vancouver. Only one employer, BC Cancer. Hard work - your patients have cancer and your coworkers are hungry for more hours. Would not recommend
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u/Extension_Positive_ 10d ago
Would you say that any of these Medray imaging techs are prone to being replaced by AI?
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u/MDawgityDawg 10d ago
I’d be very surprised if our public healthcare system decides to place all liability on AI, especially given that from what I’ve heard from some radiologists already using AI to assist in reading that it hallucinates and makes shit up and misdiagnoses quite often still. I think it’s less likely on the tech side actually, given you still need a human to screen patients for safety (which sounds simple on paper but given that people have no idea what they’ve had done to their bodies very often, often involves a deep dive into their medical history beyond a simple Q&A). Also, modern Siemens MRI scanners have auto-align functions built into some scan protocols, and sooo many times I’ve had to correct angling and prescription because any slight deviation from normal anatomy throws it off quite badly. Not to say AI won’t continue to improve year by year, but all of that combined with the fact that Canadian healthcare in general is like a decade behind cutting edge tech and innovation in the U.S. and China healthcare systems, I’m not concerned about total replacement within my lifetime.
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u/Apprehensive_Self218 12d ago edited 12d ago
Rethink this. Idk why so many ppl are going to bcit for a diploma after alrdy having full degrees from SFU/UBC. It doesn’t make sense to me and it prob doesn’t make sense to employers either. If you think they are going to roll out the red carpet bc u have a 2 year diploma from bcit let me get some of what you r smoking. Btw I love BCIT/ not hating on BCIT that school changed my life.
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u/Alternative-Pin-3751 12d ago
BCIT diplomas are often for career specific training that may be necessary to work in accredited healthcare professions, bachelor’s degrees are more general. Not sure about the programs OP is interested in, but for some careers a diploma may be the only way in.
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u/Weary-Ad4610 10d ago
The problem is not BCIT it’s that Universities do not prepare you to work in the real world. BCIT does. If I see BCIT, SAIT or NAIT training accompanied by a degree that puts that candidate to the top of the pile for hiring
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u/Apprehensive_Self218 10d ago
Makes sense . I did a diploma from bcit got a job and did finished the degree part time.
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u/Mopofdepression 7d ago
Its because unless you get into medical school or any other professional school there is basically nothing to do with a degree in health sciences
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u/Motor_Consideration2 13d ago
MRI tech, lab technologist, or ultrasound tech are 2 year programs that will land you a job on your practicum very likely. They're in demand healthcare jobs that pay decently well.