November 27, 2024 – Glenda Mendez Perez never planned on becoming a medical assistant. In fact, she didn't even know what a medical assistant was when she first started taking health science classes in high school. But as she continued to take classes and eventually earned her certification, she realized she now had a great foundation, even if it wasn’t intentional.
“I didn’t even know I was in a pathway at first,” Glenda admitted with a laugh. At East Ridge High, pathways were still a new concept during her freshman year. Students were placed into specialized tracks offering classes tailored to specific career fields. For Glenda, this meant health science courses. She took classes like anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and medical therapeutics. During her senior year, she participated in a medical assistant program through the National Health Career Association (NHA). This all came about by happenstance for Glenda, “I just went to school, and then I figured I was just in a health science class. - The path chose me”.
“At first, it was just another class—Health Science 101—but as the years went on, I found myself in more advanced medical courses, like anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and eventually, a program to become a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA). I just went with it!” The hands-on experiences, however, were her favorite part. “We practiced vital signs all the time—checking blood pressure, temperature, weight, and height. We had teachers and volunteers who let us practice on them, which was helpful.”
Glenda credits the program for giving her a strong foundation upon graduating, which allowed her to pursue various jobs. With her new certification, she heard a friend talk about becoming a Physician Assistant (PA). She saw how she could get the required clinical hours for PA school with her Medical Assistant certification. She knew it was a great fit: “Even now, as I work toward becoming a physician assistant, the skills I learned back in high school are helping me earn the patient care hours I need for PA school.” While working towards her degree and eventual enrollment in PA school, she is getting those clinical hours working at UT Family Practice as a Medical Assistant.
Her advice for students uncertain about their future? “Take advantage of these opportunities! Even if you’re not sure about a career in healthcare, pathways like this one let you try it out for free. You’ll learn so much and maybe even discover your passion. Even if you're not sure what you want to do, it can give you a good foundation and help you explore different career options."
For Glenda, the pathway may have chosen her, but she’s making the most of where it’s leading. By taking advantage of the resources available to her, she has been able to pursue a career and make a difference in the lives of others.
As National Career Development Month comes to a close, the impact of pathway programs like the one at East Ridge High School continues. By providing students with hands-on experiences and career guidance, these programs can help young people make informed decisions about their future. Whether they walk in Freshman year with an idea or graduate still trying to figure it all out, there is something for everyone along the way.