I will graduate in spring of 2011 with an Associate’s in Applied Science degree in medical assisting. I am currently a manager at a fast food restaurant, and knew I needed to do some forward thinking if I wanted to make a future for myself. I chose Gateway as a foundation to start from. I plan on working in medical assisting, particularly in pediatrics. In the medical assisting field, you get to stay with your patients, so I will get to see each patient grow. After I graduate, I will transfer to Northern Kentucky University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology.
When I was deciding about transfer, I had so many options to choose from. I was thinking about University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, or University of Cincinnati, I but chose NKU because it was close to home. After I receive my bachelor’s, my ultimate goal is to pursue a master’s degree so I can work at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati researching childhood illness. I am a science buff and a lab junkie; research is where I want to be. I have always known I wanted to go into the medical field. I was raised with a large family, and my sister has diabetes so I learned at an early age how to give injections and care for my siblings.
Gateway has opened a lot of doors for me. You would be surprised what a community college can do for you. Gateway has helped me build a large network; I have had so many amazing opportunities. The thing I like best about Gateway is the instructors. It’s as if they hand pick instructors that understand nontraditional students and their busy lifestyle. I feel as though my instructors really get me and offer me support and opportunities to grow.
I am also involved in Phi Theta Kappa as a Senator. I have met a lot of friends through this organization and have gained leadership experience. When I am not doing school work or activities, I enjoy music, especially the Beatles. I also enjoy singing, learning guitar and am a huge fan of Guitar Hero Rock band.
My advice to students thinking about attending college is to do it now, don’t wait another second. Think about the future. It may be okay to have a minimum wage job now but you don’t want to still be there when you’re older. If you have a dream, you have to go for it. Like John Lennon said, “You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.”