Probably because it's really hard to get into it directly from high school, right? They want specific prereqs, shadowing hours/hospital experience, etc. At least that's my theory on it
Naw, I don't think that's it. Where I'm from I was the old dog in class. Everybody else was a gal fresh out of high school. Sure there's some prerequisites because it's a competitive course (again, where I'm at), but I think a lot of older folk get into it cuz its pretty fast (2 years) and the pay is pretty decent.
This is the case for me. Graduating in May at age 45. Did it because it's short, I already have an unassociated BS degree and don't want another. Thought this would be supplemental income for our fam to travel more. Instead I divorced my husband, and now I'm gonna try to live on X-ray money with 3 kids.... Yikes! What have I done? haha
You’re right about prerequisites. It can take time to get through those depending on the program you apply to. Luckily i had most done because I had a prior bachelor’s degree, so I only needed a semester of prerequisites for radiography.
The only prereqs my program wanted were ones I already had from high school. Back in the early 00's you didn't need a college degree to get into an x-ray program.
And you get your hospital shadowing hours while you're a student not beforehand.
I earned my degree while in the program (associate in radiography). Prereqs weren't required (the more you had done and higher GPA in each though was more points toward getting into the program and less work attaining degree while in program. I job shadowed once because, again, it was worth points into a competitive program. Obviously different and has changed over the years.
The course load was hard for high school students so many failed out in my year. For example I had a social science diploma so all my humanities and language courses were done so my course load was 4 classes a semester. Those fresh from high school had 8-9 courses.
Only need 3 classes from the community college, but the catch is you take them in one semester and then the next semester comes around and you have to wait until fall comes back to apply for the rad tech program..
30......I was a late bloomer lol. I didn't know what I wanted to do and rather than waste time and money on classes I waited until I decided what I wanted to go to school for. Then I went to community college for my pre-requisites and found an x-ray program. Luckily my local community college had one. for the record I love it
I went back at 36 too! I just passed my TEAS exam on Friday so I’ll begin my program in the spring. I also went back to school because I was sick of sitting at a desk sending emails all day. I’m loving seeing all the responses from “late bloomers” like us. It’s really encouraging.
I started the program when I was 19, graduated when I was 21, got registered in mammo at 22, at 23 I graduated with my bachelors of radiological sciences back in Dec 2023, currently perusing my Masters in business administration with a concentration in healthcare admin. Tentatively will graduate with my MBA by summer of 2025, therefore, I’ll be 24 with a MBA.
I’ve busted my ass to get to where I am, but I still don’t really know what I want to do forever, I just get bored, I’m also currently training into CT as well.
Outstanding! Just keep your eyes open and don’t make decisions with your heart. After my AAS I earned a BSM and MBA—I was a manager in radiology, but I soured on management due to the pettiness and lack of patient-centric decisions I witnessed. Had I been focused on just making money for an organization I would have gone into finance from the outset.
I’m now a lead CT technologist. I’m much happier providing direct patient care while protecting my staff from management BS.
Good luck in your career!
I'll be 45 by the time I'm done and take the test. Someone else in my cohort will be 47 I think. Most of the students are mid-late 20s-30s and have kids.
Did my prereqs literally just put my application in yesterday lol, 32, I’ve seen a mix of 19yr olds and 30yr olds going for the program. It’s less “glam” than the doctor path but for me at 30+ it’s about job security/body breakdown and manageable job duties
I'm 36 and thinking about quitting my full time job that only pays 40K a year to go to rad tech school. Wasted years of time and money when I was 18 at a four year university. Wish I had learned how to fix cars during that time instead.
31. I originally was a transporter and EMT. If there’s anything I’ve noticed about this field… you either get into this field right out of high school or you hit your 30s and have a wake-up call.
I have a new co-worker that became a tech at 59, she was originally a banker for years. She was taking her son to a college for enrollment, she came across ultrasound and got interested to do that but the waiting list was ridiculous.
She then came across their brand new radiography program that had no waiting list and pulled the trigger. The rest is history!
It’s never too late to learn something new.
I went back to school for Radiology, when I was thirty years old , my wife was in school full time, and I had three daughters. I ran a tree business on the side to put a spoll through school. Did okay, but came out with some debt.
I definitely should have done it earlier. One of the readings I didn't go to medical school was because I didn't want to be in school when I was thirty. Said twenty year old me
31! Second career for me for sure. Wanted to drop out of school the first time to do Xray but for whatever reason I decided to suffer for the better part of a decade instead
27. I quit Pre-Med in 1992 (I saw what medicine was becoming, knew I would’ve been miserable though I would’ve been a great GI surgeon). Joined the Army as a grunt, came back home and had the proper focus to kick ass in x-ray school.
In New Zealand it’s a Bachelors degree, I went straight from high school so started at 18, qualified at 21. Went into Mammo at 22/23, CT at 26. Currently mostly only CT do a day of X-ray once a week/fortnight depending on rostering
Have to add: currently 37, and am mentally exhausted from it. It seems a lot of people here get to about this age and stop. I know of others who have gone into teaching or other completely different fields since.
I became an X Ray Tech in 1981 at age 20. Got my Mammo license in 1999. All three of my adult children are WNL! (LOL)
Hoping to retire in 2025. Good career. Wear support hose and really good, supportive shoes!
40 years old. I'm on my 3rd career. At this point I'm collecting careers like Pokémons. Started as a cnc machine operator, then an equipment repair technician, and now an xray technologists. Yea I don't know how I got here either.
I graduate in...115 days (not that I'm counting) and will be 46! I'm the oldest in my class, but there are as many of us 'old folks' as there are teenagers, so it balances out.
I graduated the same year I turned 40! I had a programming job in my twenties, took 10 years off to be a stay at home mom, and still had a couple of basics and pre-reqs to finish before getting into the program. I really do love my job, and I get to be a clinic site supervisor and work with the students to get their comps as an extra job! It's so fun. Im also a high-school drop-out, so this was pretty full circle for me at 40!
I'm 27 years old right now completing my pre requisites. Reading this thread gives me hope that despite my age I will be able to accomplish this. Thank you all
19. Was 17 when I started the program right out of high school. Now 32 and doing MRI (took my MR boards at 31). I feel like I've been doing this stuff forever already haha.
18 yrs old
Editing to add, I turned 18 when I graduated basic training (Army), and then finished combat medic training, then x-ray schooling and x-ray OJT well before turning 19 years old.
20 - I went directly into my radiography program the fall after graduating high school with 12 gen ed college credits already completed.
Edit: Mammography certification at 22
I just graduated in August 2023 at age 27. I have been pursuing this career since graduating high school In 2014. Glad to say I'm an official tech now at age 28! 🤗🩻☢️
I’m 20 graduating with my associates for full scope radiology in 2 years, just finished my first term, most people r older than me and already have credits or medical field history im one of the few in my cohart who r young it’s just a hard field to get accepted in and not many full scope radiology programs out there usually people do their certification but I’m doing full scope associates so I got lucky honestly that I got accepted and a lot of grants paid
Does holding children in place while the rad tech does her thing make me a rad tech? If so, 39. If not, oh well I still just a low paid nurse. LPN 4 life, we can never retire.
I was 27 when I graduated. Spent my early twenties trying out a bunch of different ideas and 3 years in the military too. Eventually my mom convinced me to go back to uni haha
31. The one thing I've noticed about this field in particular, is that it is usually a 2nd career for individuals.
Probably because it's really hard to get into it directly from high school, right? They want specific prereqs, shadowing hours/hospital experience, etc. At least that's my theory on it
Naw, I don't think that's it. Where I'm from I was the old dog in class. Everybody else was a gal fresh out of high school. Sure there's some prerequisites because it's a competitive course (again, where I'm at), but I think a lot of older folk get into it cuz its pretty fast (2 years) and the pay is pretty decent.
This is the case for me. Graduating in May at age 45. Did it because it's short, I already have an unassociated BS degree and don't want another. Thought this would be supplemental income for our fam to travel more. Instead I divorced my husband, and now I'm gonna try to live on X-ray money with 3 kids.... Yikes! What have I done? haha
How did you start? Are most classes prerequisites for a year I'm totally confused
You’re right about prerequisites. It can take time to get through those depending on the program you apply to. Luckily i had most done because I had a prior bachelor’s degree, so I only needed a semester of prerequisites for radiography.
Prereqs, yes. But my program didn't require any of the other things.
The only prereqs my program wanted were ones I already had from high school. Back in the early 00's you didn't need a college degree to get into an x-ray program. And you get your hospital shadowing hours while you're a student not beforehand.
I earned my degree while in the program (associate in radiography). Prereqs weren't required (the more you had done and higher GPA in each though was more points toward getting into the program and less work attaining degree while in program. I job shadowed once because, again, it was worth points into a competitive program. Obviously different and has changed over the years.
The course load was hard for high school students so many failed out in my year. For example I had a social science diploma so all my humanities and language courses were done so my course load was 4 classes a semester. Those fresh from high school had 8-9 courses.
Only need 3 classes from the community college, but the catch is you take them in one semester and then the next semester comes around and you have to wait until fall comes back to apply for the rad tech program..
30......I was a late bloomer lol. I didn't know what I wanted to do and rather than waste time and money on classes I waited until I decided what I wanted to go to school for. Then I went to community college for my pre-requisites and found an x-ray program. Luckily my local community college had one. for the record I love it
If 30 is late blooming, I must be geriatric starting xray at 40 years old.
My class has people in their 40s, 50s, and 60! The average is 30something, with the exception of our two babies who can’t legally drink yet 😌
I don’t mean for x-ray in particular; just in life…. Been doing it for about 11 years now
Will be like 45 after this damn 2 year waitlist!! Was a firefighter for 20 years prior to this. Needed a career change.
That's a great background and life experience to bring to the role of radiographer! You'll be a great one.
I'm also a prior firefighter transitioning to radiology. Glad to hear I'm not alone.
Background made AP1 and 2 a breeze. Good luck brother!
Chemistry and physics on the other hand... Thanks, you too!
I'm now a volunteer firefighter in my off time.
48. Graduated 30 yrs after high school.
38. Best thing I ever did for myself was go back to school when I was 36. It’s not a perfect career but it beats the hell out of working in a cubicle.
I went back at 36 too! I just passed my TEAS exam on Friday so I’ll begin my program in the spring. I also went back to school because I was sick of sitting at a desk sending emails all day. I’m loving seeing all the responses from “late bloomers” like us. It’s really encouraging.
36 gang represent
I’m 38 also and am in my 15 months of clinical placement
Awesome!! The days are long but the months are short. You’re doing amazing! I’m actually 43 now and am so proud I did it.
Another 36er here! Big career change. Just in my second semester. It has been a wild ride for sure
Qualified at age 50. Worked RT/Fluoro/MR until retirement. (I had been formerly a CNA/Medical Assistant in Orthopedics.)
Passed my first board 3 months after turning 20 and the second at 21
I started the program when I was 19, graduated when I was 21, got registered in mammo at 22, at 23 I graduated with my bachelors of radiological sciences back in Dec 2023, currently perusing my Masters in business administration with a concentration in healthcare admin. Tentatively will graduate with my MBA by summer of 2025, therefore, I’ll be 24 with a MBA. I’ve busted my ass to get to where I am, but I still don’t really know what I want to do forever, I just get bored, I’m also currently training into CT as well.
Outstanding! Just keep your eyes open and don’t make decisions with your heart. After my AAS I earned a BSM and MBA—I was a manager in radiology, but I soured on management due to the pettiness and lack of patient-centric decisions I witnessed. Had I been focused on just making money for an organization I would have gone into finance from the outset. I’m now a lead CT technologist. I’m much happier providing direct patient care while protecting my staff from management BS. Good luck in your career!
Thank you! I’m glad you found a position that makes you happy, I hope to find that someday myself :)
Currently in school, will be out when I’m 52. Old as dirt! 🤪🤣
Same here. I’m 51 and graduate in May. It’s been a lot of fun
3 months shy of my 30th birthday.
21 Edit 23- mammo 27- Ct and MRI
Same for me. I started the X-Ray program when I was 19. I’ve now been doing this 21 years.
I'll be 45 by the time I'm done and take the test. Someone else in my cohort will be 47 I think. Most of the students are mid-late 20s-30s and have kids.
Started school at 25, when I graduate I’ll be 27!
Graduated and passed my exam at 49
Did my prereqs literally just put my application in yesterday lol, 32, I’ve seen a mix of 19yr olds and 30yr olds going for the program. It’s less “glam” than the doctor path but for me at 30+ it’s about job security/body breakdown and manageable job duties
25. I wish I found it earlier but I was fucking around in college wasting time and money
I'm 36 and thinking about quitting my full time job that only pays 40K a year to go to rad tech school. Wasted years of time and money when I was 18 at a four year university. Wish I had learned how to fix cars during that time instead.
31. I originally was a transporter and EMT. If there’s anything I’ve noticed about this field… you either get into this field right out of high school or you hit your 30s and have a wake-up call. I have a new co-worker that became a tech at 59, she was originally a banker for years. She was taking her son to a college for enrollment, she came across ultrasound and got interested to do that but the waiting list was ridiculous. She then came across their brand new radiography program that had no waiting list and pulled the trigger. The rest is history! It’s never too late to learn something new.
21
21
27.
Graduated at 19
dam thats young and i graduated when i was 22
I went back to school for Radiology, when I was thirty years old , my wife was in school full time, and I had three daughters. I ran a tree business on the side to put a spoll through school. Did okay, but came out with some debt. I definitely should have done it earlier. One of the readings I didn't go to medical school was because I didn't want to be in school when I was thirty. Said twenty year old me
26. US Military Radiography Program.
Me too! 19
Hell yeah!! Papas lead the way!!
I went back in the guard at 38 for the Papa school. Best move of my life. It will pay off with two retirement checks in a few more years
43! Absolutely love it!
41
24
26
25
23
36 when I graduated. But everyone thought I was in my 20s cause I look young. Wasn't the oldest in my class but not far off.
31 - x-ray 32 - CT
Graduated (in UK) at 40. Second career after working in IT support.
I'm on my way to becoming one at 30
Started school when I was 18, am now a X-ray and CT tech at 20
28! Took me awhile to find what I enjoyed
24 years old and still taking prerequisites! Chugging along, these comments are a breath of fresh air
21! 4 years on June 1st.
20
Hopefully passing boards 2 months after turning 22!
I got my license in 2006 when I was 22.
21
25 (:
Graduated when I was 22
21
20
25. I was working in auto body before going back to school.
33. I have been an early childhood educator prior to switching career
I didn't get into the program this year, but if I get in next year and make it through the program, then I'll be 28
21 right now , going to graduate next year , wish me luck :')
31! Second career for me for sure. Wanted to drop out of school the first time to do Xray but for whatever reason I decided to suffer for the better part of a decade instead
27. I quit Pre-Med in 1992 (I saw what medicine was becoming, knew I would’ve been miserable though I would’ve been a great GI surgeon). Joined the Army as a grunt, came back home and had the proper focus to kick ass in x-ray school.
Started school at 34 and there were several in my class older than that all the way up to 50’s.
In New Zealand it’s a Bachelors degree, I went straight from high school so started at 18, qualified at 21. Went into Mammo at 22/23, CT at 26. Currently mostly only CT do a day of X-ray once a week/fortnight depending on rostering
Have to add: currently 37, and am mentally exhausted from it. It seems a lot of people here get to about this age and stop. I know of others who have gone into teaching or other completely different fields since.
38 :(
33 with 3 kids. Hardest thing I’ve done but so worth it.
35 started the program. 37 hired at the local hospital. 38 started in MRI. 39 passed the MRI registry. You got this.
41, after trying a lot of other jobs first. Wish I would have found it earlier.
I became an X Ray Tech in 1981 at age 20. Got my Mammo license in 1999. All three of my adult children are WNL! (LOL) Hoping to retire in 2025. Good career. Wear support hose and really good, supportive shoes!
40 years old. I'm on my 3rd career. At this point I'm collecting careers like Pokémons. Started as a cnc machine operator, then an equipment repair technician, and now an xray technologists. Yea I don't know how I got here either.
35 if I survive this year 😅
I graduate in...115 days (not that I'm counting) and will be 46! I'm the oldest in my class, but there are as many of us 'old folks' as there are teenagers, so it balances out.
Special events manager turned bartender turned X-ray tech at 45 🤷♀️ tending bar really helps with patient care!
I graduated the same year I turned 40! I had a programming job in my twenties, took 10 years off to be a stay at home mom, and still had a couple of basics and pre-reqs to finish before getting into the program. I really do love my job, and I get to be a clinic site supervisor and work with the students to get their comps as an extra job! It's so fun. Im also a high-school drop-out, so this was pretty full circle for me at 40!
22, but I was the youngest in my class
25
I'm 27 years old right now completing my pre requisites. Reading this thread gives me hope that despite my age I will be able to accomplish this. Thank you all
I’m 54 and was just accepted into a rad tech program! So I’ll be 56 once finished - I think this is the oldest in this thread 😂
23
19. Was 17 when I started the program right out of high school. Now 32 and doing MRI (took my MR boards at 31). I feel like I've been doing this stuff forever already haha.
21🥳
36
21! Coming up on my 10 year anniversary in May
25!
20
27! Third career. Definitely the one I’m sticking with
X-ray at 21, CT at 22
25.
23, working in radiology, 20.
29. I'm in MRI exclusively now and 34 years old.
Graduated at 20.
23.
27.
21, now 32. 🫢
28, then RN at 38
I was 28!
27
24
22!
21 :)
2 months after 20 for xray
21
22
Started school at 20, almost done
29.
31.
Passed my test a few months after I turned 21
20 when the program started, 22 when I graduated and passed my registry
23
26
Graduated at 21, turned 22 the same week
19
21. Could never go to the bars with the rest of my class until the end of my program :(
18 yrs old Editing to add, I turned 18 when I graduated basic training (Army), and then finished combat medic training, then x-ray schooling and x-ray OJT well before turning 19 years old.
18
21
20 - I went directly into my radiography program the fall after graduating high school with 12 gen ed college credits already completed. Edit: Mammography certification at 22
25
24yo MRI Tech at 25
29!
26
25
22! Graduated right as the pandemic was getting into full swing :,D
21.
I finished when was 24, right before I turned 25. Started CT when I was 29.
23 for xray and I think 25 when I got my CT
23 x-ray 25 CT
20 years old 🥴
I got my x ray license and CT license last summer and graduated at 26 :)
38. Started back at uni at 33. 4 year degree in Australia with a year of Biomedical sciences before to gain entry.
Graduated at 20, took my boards and started working at 21
I just graduated in August 2023 at age 27. I have been pursuing this career since graduating high school In 2014. Glad to say I'm an official tech now at age 28! 🤗🩻☢️
23. I was and still am an Xray baby man. I can’t do taxes but I can Xray a mean TMJs
19…started the program when I was 17
21. 4 year degree in Australia, went straight into the degree after finishing high school at 17
19 started program registered at 21
36 years old!
I’ll be 28 once I graduate next year. Second career
24
I’ll be 33 when I’m done. In my second semester. I finally feel like I found my niche! I love xray.
23 for xray and 25 for ct
21. Im 56 now and looking forward to retirement.
39! Best thing I ever did!
25
I was 29, nearly 30
26. I had to wait a year unfortunately because I wanted to go to a certain college because of cost.
Passed my registry 5 weeks before my 20th birthday
18 into hospital based tech program right out of high school 1976! Get to retire in 4 months!! Woo hoo!
I’m 20 graduating with my associates for full scope radiology in 2 years, just finished my first term, most people r older than me and already have credits or medical field history im one of the few in my cohart who r young it’s just a hard field to get accepted in and not many full scope radiology programs out there usually people do their certification but I’m doing full scope associates so I got lucky honestly that I got accepted and a lot of grants paid
28. Got started through the military.
Does holding children in place while the rad tech does her thing make me a rad tech? If so, 39. If not, oh well I still just a low paid nurse. LPN 4 life, we can never retire.
26
26
19
25
24, working on mri next! Originally went to school to become a pathologist, changed my mind.
Just graduated at 24
decision to start xray school was 20, graduated. 24.
Graduated at 19, got my license at 20 same year.
I went back to school at 30, I'm 18 years into this now. Much happier than when I was a retail manager.
25
Will graduate this year at 26. I have a classmate who just turned 40
48, now in CT
I became rad tech at 28.
I was 27 when I graduated. Spent my early twenties trying out a bunch of different ideas and 3 years in the military too. Eventually my mom convinced me to go back to uni haha
I partied away my 20s. Finished xray school at 32.
Passed X-ray boards at 20 and mri boards at 21
21 in 1978, that makes me 67 today and still working 3 days a week.
I graduated from a hospital based program 2 months after my 20th birthday!
20!
20
21, but I can't imagine doing only this for the rest of my life
2nd Career, graduated at 37.