Have you read our alumni spotlights? We have so many amazing stories from our graduates who started out with a thought or desire to build a career in health care and turned that dream into a reality. We’re inspired by how our students evolve during their programs at Pima Medical and become health care professionals who continue to grow along with their careers.
Many begin the journey by earning a certificate in one of our nine-month programs like medical assistant, dental assistant or veterinary assistant and develop life-long careers in their chosen fields. Others decide to continue their education by obtaining an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree at Pima Medical. No matter the path, each graduate has the same thing in common: determination.
Estrella “Andy” Sandoval is one of those graduates. Despite the obstacles and challenges of being a student while working, she continued her pursuit of an education and career advancement. Her Pima Medical journey began when she enrolled in the Dental Assistant program at our Albuquerque campus.
Andy Sandoval earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees online at Pima Medical.Andy came to Pima Medical after recovering from a severe eating disorder and knew that she needed to establish a career she would enjoy. Without family support, she relied on her instructors who helped her overcome the difficulties she faced during her program. She accomplished her goal by earning her certificate and realized she wanted more out of her education. It was her determination to complete her certificate that became the springboard for her next educational pursuit, an associate degree in Health Care Administration online. Encouraged by one of her instructors, Andy didn’t stop after she earned her associate degree. She went on to also earn her bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration online. She was offered a new job with a great salary, benefits and paid vacation shortly after.
Andy has come a long way in six years. Her career has grown from starting as a dental assistant, to becoming an office manager, growing as a benefits coordinator, and now, a director of operations. However, she’s not done with her education just yet. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership online program with a graduation target date of 2023. Andy knew early on that her education and training was what she needed to accomplish her career goals.
Continuing education provided Andy with new opportunities to advance and grow. She shared with us that every program and every course she took pertained to her career and made her a better health care professional. We’re probably biased, but we think what made Andy a better health care professional was also her determination to achieve more with her education and ultimately her career.
Are you also ready for more? We’re here to help. Take that first step and we’ll be by your side for the rest.
