Sameer LodhiRadiography in Action Sameer Lodhi grew up surrounded by family in the health care field, so pursuing a career in radiography felt like a smart next step. But once he began the program at Oakton, it quickly became more than just a good fit—it became a passion. With hands-on learning, clinical experience and a long-term career goal in sight, Sameer is building a future that blends skill, science and compassion for the patients he serves.
Learning from the Inside Out Radiography isn’t a career you can learn from a textbook alone—and for Sameer, the hands-on experience at Oakton has made all the difference. In the classroom, he’s mastering anatomy and positioning techniques.
“Before I took anatomy, I was scared—my sister had warned me it was really hard,” he admitted. “But once I started learning how the human body works… from our bones and organs all the way down to the atomic structure—it was fascinating. That made me motivated to focus and work hard.”
In Oakton’s high-tech lab, he applies those lessons with his peers, guided every step of the way by supportive, experienced faculty. “My radiography instructors are some of the best I’ve had throughout my college years,” he said. “They’re very straightforward, and helpful. They want us to succeed.”
From Lab to Real Life Oakton’s clinical rotations begin in the first semester—giving students immediate direct experience in a real health care setting. That early exposure has helped Sameer build confidence, develop professional skills and affirm his passion for the field.
“In class we learn what we’re supposed to see, how we’re supposed to position the patient, what evaluation criteria we’ll see. Then we go to our clinical site, and we apply it with actual patients,” he explained. “Obviously it’s not going to be perfect at first, but that’s why the techs are there to guide us.”
The mentorship Sameer has received on-site is one of the most impactful parts of the program. “I’m really liking clinicals. You learn something new every single day because every patient is different. It’s very nice to be in the hospital environment working with the techs. They have a lot to teach you, and they aren’t shy about it—they’re very supportive. They want you to succeed because at some point they were students as well.”
A Clear Path to Career Advancement Sameer is already thinking ahead. Thanks to early outreach from Endeavor Health—Oakton’s clinical partner—Sameer has been encouraged to consider long-term goals like advancing into CT imaging.
“CT is more comprehensive than X-ray—it looks at veins and structures, not just bones. After I graduate and get my license, I’d like to work as a tech for a year, then cross-train into CT,” he said. “Endeavor is great at helping students do that. They’re already asking where we’d like to work after we graduate.”
With supportive faculty, smart and encouraging classmates, and a schedule that allows him to balance part-time work as a phlebotomist, he feels ready to take the next step. “I feel 100 percent prepared,” Sameer said. “I’m learning in the classroom and practicing my skills constantly.”
