My Starting Point – Chelsea Ruiz – My Motivation

Hello Carrington College!  Student blogger Chelsea checking in again. If you’ve been following my experiences over the last 6 months I hope they’re helping you on your journey, no matter what campus you’re at or what program you’re studying. Last time I mentioned that once I graduate, we hope to leave Arizona. That’s my motivation, and here’s why.

Not Just Another Job

I recently got offered a job that I had to turn down. It was frustrating because we could certainly use the extra money, but I knew that if I took the job and tried to work around it, my schooling would suffer. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to work, look after two young kids, and continue to do well in school.

It’s hard knowing that I can’t work because I’m going to school; it’s going to be worth it in the end – I know that. But I have to focus on school right now. The job I got offered wasn’t in health care, it was “just another job” which is one of the reasons why I didn’t take it. The reason I started the Medical Assisting program was because I didn’t want “just another job”, I wanted a career.

I dropped out of high school when I was 15 to have my daughter Lillian, who’s 7 now. I’d dreamed of working in health care, but it was always out of reach, or so it seemed. I had a job at Circle K and kind of assumed I was going to work there forever. But one day they let me go; I decided then and there that I had to get a career. I got my GED and then enrolled at Carrington.

If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

You read in my last blog that this Arizona summer got to me, so our goal is to move. We’re thinking that we’d really like to move to San Diego. I know that if we’re going to be able to afford to do that, I’m going to need a career.

With a qualification in a field with real prospects, we have the chance at a better future. I want to be qualified in something that there’s a real market for; that’s why I chose Medical Assisting. I’m more comfortable making a big move like that with a college program behind me; it should give me the chance to find a good job.

I’ve never really lacked motivation; every day I get more and more excited that I’m closer to my externship and the day when I can finally work in an office. Just the idea of being where I want to be, working in a doctor’s office, is motivation enough for me. I know that if I want to get out of Tucson, I need to graduate and get into the medical field. That’s my ultimate motivation right there. And time seems to be going really fast, which is exciting.

Have Someone To Talk To

If I have a down day, and I don’t have too many, I rely on Alex to lift me up. After all it was him who talked me into going to college in the first place! Sometimes I’ll call my mom or my sister, and I have a few pretty good friends in school who I can turn to. Talking to them, complaining about whatever it is that’s making me upset, helps me to get things off my chest; it makes me feel better.

Alex is always there for me, but he’s excited for me to graduate too. We may be switching roles when we move to California. He’s been accepted into a specialized technology program in Silicon Valley. It’s a great opportunity for him, and for our family, so it’s important we get there.

Thanks for taking the time to read my posts. I’ll be back soon with another!