Life doesn’t always take you in a straight line, but if you stick to what’s true to you, you will get to where you want to go. Mary Pete, Stebbins Community Association Tribal Member and recent graduate of Alaska Career College can attest to this.
When Mary graduated in 2016, she had plans to leave Stebbins. Life took her back home, and blessed her with a daughter. “I knew I wanted to provide a good life for my daughter,” Mary said, “so I found a job in Stebbins as soon as I could to do the best that I could.”
Initially hired as a substitute, the school quickly saw that Mary was reliable and dependable, and her work ethic rewarded her with a full-time job. With this job secured, Mary was able to save and establish herself in the community. After working for 5 years, and gratefully receiving family support to watch her kids, Mary decided to pursue something new – something she had put on hold a few years ago. “I knew I was ready” she said.
With scholarship and support from Kawerak, as well as continued family support to ensure her daughter was cared for, Mary took the leap and enrolled into the Medical Assistant Specialist course with Alaska Career College. It wasn’t easy – time away focused on her studies all the time was challenging. “Many times I sat studying at the kitchen table from 5pm to 11pm…it was hard to stay focused, but I knew I needed to do it.” Mary also worked with Kawerak’s job program that gave her enough funds for housing and food so she could focus 100% on her schooling. “I was thankful I had the time to focus on school and not try to balance that and a job.” Her determination and self-discipline to study ensured her success when it came to passing the test and completing the course.
After passing the American Medical Certification Association test, Mary worked at Alaska Pain to Wellness Center, where she spent 160 hours of her externship getting on the job experience – greeting patients, taking vitals, giving reports and charting. “It was busy, sometimes seeing 40 patients a day, but it was good. Having this first before jumping into a job was important preparation for what I would actually experience in the field compared to the classroom.”
Now Mary is celebrating her first job in the field with Internal Medicine Associates, where her growth continues. “I came into this program not knowing what I’m really interested in. The Medical Assistant Specialist position is flexible so I can find what field I enjoy and pursue it. The providers so far have been willing to answer my questions so I can learn more.”
Although her work has relocated her outside of Stebbins, Mary says she is doing well and overall things have been really smooth. She is working to settle herself fully in Anchorage; “I’m working to get my drivers license, and purchase my first car. Then I can move my family here with me.”
To others Mary encourages you, “Stay focused. Study hard. Keep motivated. Sometimes it’s really hard. It’s easy to get off-track, but in the end it’s worth it.” It’s also important to have support people in your life. “I’m so thankful for my immediate family for taking in my daughter and helping me get through this even from a distance. Also, many thanks to Sarah Swanson, student counselor at BSSD for all her help with the paperwork to get me started in this direction. I’m grateful for my instructors and their patience and encouragement, and to all those I did not mention that have helped me along the way. You have made all the difference and I appreciate you all!”
