15 Jun From Caring for Her Mom to Caring for Others: Alma’s Career as a Medical Assistant
Sometimes the experiences that shape us the most happen long before we begin our careers. For Alma, that moment came in middle school when her mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Because her mother needed help communicating with medical professionals, Alma became her translator during appointments. While she was grateful for the care her mother received, she also noticed something that stayed with her. She felt many of the medical professionals treated her mother in a cold and impersonal way.
That experience changed the course of her life.
Alma decided she wanted to work in healthcare and become someone who could make patients feel seen, heard, and cared for. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in a medical trade school and trained to become a Medical Assistant.
Now, after ten years in the profession, Alma says she absolutely loves what she does.
Every day, she has the opportunity to care for patients during what are often stressful moments in their lives. Her own experience as a young caregiver helps her understand the importance of treating every patient with compassion, respect, and kindness.
For anyone interested in becoming a Medical Assistant, Alma recommends gaining experience as early as possible. She suggests starting as an assistant to a Medical Assistant or becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, also known as a CNA. Both paths provide valuable hands on experience and can help build the skills and confidence needed for a successful healthcare career.
At 36, Alma has built a career that allows her to make a difference in people’s lives every day. Her story is a reminder that some of the best careers begin with a desire to help others.
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