So you’ve gotten in to college and now you’ve gotten through a few courses and find yourself thinking about entering the work force. With a few more courses and graduation in sight, you find yourself applying for one of the most exciting parts of the Clinical Medical Assistant program, the externship!
Please meet WVJC-Charleston Clinical Medical Assistant student, Nicole Jones. Nicole wanted to extend her medical career into medical assisting because of her experience in coding. Nicole’s training increased her marketable skills to not just working the front and back of the medical office, but also to providing patient care. Nicole has her sights set on furthering her career in a medical office and working her way up to office manager. Nicole is scheduled to graduate this winter and is very excited!
Nicole has always been fascinated by the medical field. When asked what her favorite course was, she said “I loved all of my lab classes. Getting to be hands on was fun and I learned a lot more because I’m a really hands on learner”. Hands-on learning is one of the fundamental strengths of the Clinical Medical Assistant program at WVJC. Instructors encourage students to not onl
y participate in class and labs, but also stress the importance of externships to gain even more in-field training and experience.
There are many externship sites that partner with WVJC and often, students can tour sites to decide which externship would be best for them. Nicole decided to apply for a medical office that she recently the opportunity to learn it presented. After making this decision, Nicole spoke with the onsite manager and told him she was very interested in gaining experience at that location. After a few phone calls and assistance from the Medical Director at WVJC – Charleston, Ms. Chelsea Abbott, Nicole had an interview!
Nicole spent a few months working at her externship site and really enjoyed it! She will start orientation this October for full time employment. Nicole said that if students are looking for externships, she has a few tips. Nicole stressed that students need to “show up and be dependable.” She continued, saying “You should treat you externship like you are interviewing for a job. Do things to help even when you are not asked. Lastly, actually take the time to show interest and ask questions.”
Nicole is very grateful for all the staff and instructors who have been amazing to her and she said she had learned so much. “I will miss them all!” she said. At 31, Nicole is a mother to three kids. She wanted to provide a better life for her children and to show them to never give up on their dreams.
Do you have a dream like Nicole? Do you have career goals like she did and want to continue education to learn valuable skills that will be more marketable to employers, AND provide a better life for yourself and your family? If you value education like Nicole and are hardworking, then come see us at WVJC to learn how we can help you find a career!