My parents really valued education and wanted all 7 of us all to go to college, but they were unable to help us financially. I spent years working full time and taking classes part time, but it was such a slow process. Eventually, I became interested in pharmacy, spent 8 years working in the pharmaceutical industry while going to school and just missed getting accepted to pharmacy school. While I waited for the next opportunity, I came across Pima Medial Institute's Radiography program and it interested me. A few months into the program I realized this is what I really wanted to do. There are unlimited growth opportunities in this field. When I came to PMI my classes felt like family. I quickly realized the PMI instructors believed in their students and wanted the best for us. Before I'd even graduated, I had a job offer at a level one trauma center. I worked there for 3 years gaining experience and growing both as a professional and as an individual. I knew I wanted to continue my education, so I enrolled in PMI's online bachelor degree program. PMI's online classes are not only very flexible; they are designed to help you be a better professional in your field. I recently came back to PMI as an instructor. I think having been a student here and recently working in the field, I'm able to understand my student's struggles and help them learn what's really important. There is a sense of true value working at PMI. It's more than a philosophy or mission statement, they really care about their employees and their students. I'm happy to be back.

I graduated from ASU with a degree in nutrition and applied to physical therapy school too late and didn't get in. My husband and I sat down and researched the physical therapy field and decided PMI's PTA program might be the best fit for me. When I called, the lady on the phone said, "We're going to make all your dreams come true!" and I looked at the phone and thought - she's crazy! But, I met with an advisor and started 2 weeks later. They tell you it is an accelerated program and it certainly is. The instructors were amazing and they inspired me to do more. I became very involved with my profession; PTA Co-Chair for the PTA Special Interest Group within our Arizona Chapter and helping start what is now our annual "TRYke It" event for adults with disabilities. I remember being nervous walking into my first clinical. But, in this neurology setting I was able to witness a stroke patient or a traumatic brain injury patient make progress on things that we often take for granted and that was just simply MAGICAL! My passion for neurology PT grew from just two weeks in that setting and I accepted a position there after graduation. I also gained valuable experience working in pediatric aquatic therapy and hippo therapy with adults and children with disabilities. After some years in the field, I was offered an opportunity to come back to PMI as an instructor. I believe it gives me an advantage having recently sat in those same student chairs and my ability to relate to my students on that same level. I am happy to have come full-circle at PMI and my dreams far exceeded my expectations and continue to come true! My instructors did an incredible job preparing me for my profession and I hope to have the same influence on my students!

I grew up in a medical environment as my dad was a Navy doctor and my mom was a nurse. I ended up getting a bachelor's degree in biology and after working for a time in construction, decided my love of animals was prompting me to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I heard about Pima Medical Institute and liked the idea that I would get experience in the field through their Veterinary Assistant program. I still remember my first day of the VA program when my instructor looked at me and said, "You have a degree and are way overqualified for this." I explained I wanted to learn the basics of caring for animals and get hands-on experience. It's been over 25 years and that instructor and I are still in touch. She always told us, "I can teach you how to do a procedure correctly, but it's more important to teach you the WHY." I still emphasize this and repeat it often to my staff. While working as a VA, I applied to veterinary schools, but my bachelor's degree GPA was low and I was rejected from many vet schools. Finally, I was accepted at an offshore school in the Caribbean and later transferred to Kansas State, where I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. I was a Veterinarian at a couple of clinics before owning my own. Over the years, I have hired graduates from Pima Medical and have taken their externs. They still offer a very good program and teach the basics. My time at Pima Medical was an opportunity and a doorway into the veterinary world. I am a great example that it's not always about grades. If you have passion and are willing to work hard, you can accomplish your goals. My mom always told me, "As long as you are doing something you love, you'll be happy!" Down the road, I think I might enjoy returning to Pima Medical ... this time as an instructor.

I was a contractor in my 50's with my own construction company in Las Vegas who would come home from work tired, sunburnt and with bleeding knuckles. I knew I needed a new career. So, I met with an advisor at Pima Medical Institute on a Friday and signed up for their Medical Assistant program starting the following Monday. It was a good thing I didn't have more time to think about it or I may have backed out. Many of my classmates were younger than I was and I wondered who would hire this old man. But when I talked with my instructors about it, they reminded me I was bringing maturity and life experiences to my new career. I had a 4.0 GPA, but I could not pass the typing test with my two-finger typing and was ready to quit. One of the instructors met me on a Saturday and told me we weren't leaving until I passed the typing test. She wouldn't let me quit and I did it! Shortly after graduating and passing my licensing test, my fiancé started a master's program on the East coast and we moved to Pennsylvania. I was concerned about finding a job, but I completed 15 applications and was offered 12 positions! I chose Doylestown Health, a primary care with a small ER, just outside of Philadelphia where I knew I would learn and be challenged. I am 56 years old with a new career in the medical field and I know I can go anywhere in the country and get a job. The instructors are caring, passionate and so good at what they do. My boss recently asked me if Pima Medical could send them some more of their graduates!

I grew up in the Middle East in the country of Oman. After high school I attended an ophthalmic certificate program and for the next 10 years worked in my career at an army hospital. When my boss began encouraging me to continue my education, I researched around the world and found Pima Medical Institute's Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OMT) program at their Denver Campus. I began emailing people at Pima Medical and they helped me each step of the way. Once I was accepted, I applied with my government and obtained approval to go to the U.S. and THAT is when my journey began. I am a mother of five children and moving to the U.S., adapting to a new culture, learning to drive a car and not knowing anyone was difficult. But, everyone at Pima Medical was so helpful. When I first started my program, I was very shy and my accent was difficult to understand, but my instructors tutored me and my classmates accepted me. I became more and more confident each day and soon it felt like my second home. When COVID hit, my government required me to go back home. I continued the OMT program virtually until I was able to return to the U.S. to complete my clinicals. Upon returning to Oman, I resumed my job at the army hospital where I became the supervisor of all the technicians. In the future, I will be teaching and training other OMTs in our school. When I returned, everyone wanted to hear about my experience and now several of my colleagues plan to study at Pima Medical. I tell them, "Change comes with being around people who are different than you." I am so glad I found Pima Medical Institute. It has changed my life.

After working for a time as a Metropolitan Transit System bus operator, I realized I couldn't do it my whole life. After my daughter was born, I decided to pursue a career. My mom had completed the Medical Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute years earlier and I have always had an interest in the medical field. So, I went to Pima Medical, heard about their program offerings and the Pharmacy Technician program piqued my interest and I enrolled. I loved the program. Everyone talked about pharmacy math being hard, but it just stuck with me and I didn't find it difficult. My classmates were wonderful and I made great friends. Pima Medical's externship program gave me experience in multiple settings. I enjoyed both, but learned that I definitely preferred the fast-paced setting of the hospital over the retail site. After graduation I ended up with two job offers. I chose a position at Scripps Mercy Hospital since it offered both full time and benefits, which I needed to provide for my little girl. I've since been promoted to a Technician II position and I just love my job and my new career! I love the environment, my co-workers and the busyness; there's never a dull moment and always work to be done. I would definitely recommend Pima Medical Institute. I had a great experience and the best instructor. The opportunities for my future are endless; I've considered becoming a buyer, a narcotics specialist, a system analyst or even becoming a pharmacist.