Glenda Moreno, a 45 year-old divorced single mom, had always worked in grocery retail since she was 17 years old. To make ends meet for herself and two teenagers, she had even taken up Uber driving. One day, she picked up a young Pharmacy Technology student who changed her life.
The young woman was complaining about being stressed for her upcoming class. While Glenda drove her to the university, she asked what she was studying. As the student began to answer what one learns in a Pharmacy Technology program, something inside Glenda “went crazy,” as she puts it. She could completely identify with all the tasks the young woman described as something she actually loved to do – which was mainly to organize things. “That’s me!” she thought. And it definitely sounded much more interesting than grocery retail.
She told a friend about her experience and was encouraged to look into it. “You’re never too old,” her friend said. She found Carrington College’s Pharmacy Technology program. She called right away and literally began the next week. Nine months later, Glenda Moreno was hired by her externship company, CVS.
It wasn’t easy. But more than anything, she is proud that she is now a role model for her teenage children to never give up, and to know it’s never too late.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
When I moved from Yuma to Tucson, I had been married for 20 years. I went through a difficult divorce; I had sisters and aunts in Tucson and my grandma was getting older, so I could help take care of her. It wasn’t easy to change; I come from a family of Mexicans who stay married forever – it’s hard to break that tradition. They didn’t want to believe me, said it was my fault. I don’t own a house, I don’t have anything, really except for my children and my work. But I needed to show my kids that they can have those things: they can have a dog, own a home.
You’re not too old to meet someone else?
If I do find somebody, I’m still gonna be growing as an individual. I still want to have my own money to be able to provide and live life the way I want to.
Your teacher told me the first day you were at Carrington College was very hard; but you kept coming back. How did you do it? How did you change your mindset and take on the challenge?
Yes, the first time I cried. I freaked out. I didn’t think I could learn it all. In the classes, everyone else wrote down notes so fast. I talked to my friend. She gave me the best advice; she said, “You have to find your own way.” So I went back and talked to the teacher and she kind of said the same thing: to find whatever way is easier for me to study. I said I couldn’t do it with a laptop; I preferred books. So, I figured out a way. The teacher was fine with it; I bought a printer and started printing everything out. Then, I would highlight everything in the chapter I needed to remember. That helped me pay more attention. And I started getting A’s and B’s!
What was your favorite part of the program?
Besides organizing, I really liked the IV portion; that’s making the IV liquid for patients. I also liked compounding – that’s making the pills, lip balm, and salves like Vaporub.
Anything else you still find challenging?
To this day, keeping the names of the medications straight and what each one does is always hard work. Learning the brand name and the generic name. There are always new ones!
I understand you volunteered to lead study groups and became a student mentor, as well as a member of the student council.
To be honest, helping others also helps yourself! It was a great way to get our homework done; we got it done quicker and better if we worked together. On a Thursday, we’d stay an hour after class and do all the homework and get it done before the weekend! And yes, I was one of two Pharmacy Tech students in the student council. You could say it’s another quality that’s good for Pharm Technology professionals too: not just being organized, but also liking to help people. It’s a service job.
I don’t know if they told you, but your teachers believe your determination and perseverance was an inspiration and motivation for other students. What would you say right now to a potential student reading this article?
Like I said before, basically the two most important things I learned: to find your own way and that you’re never too old.
What are you proudest of?
That’s easy. I’m proudest of the fact that my daughter just told me, “I’ve learned the value of work because of you.”
