I’m from a lot of different places. I consider Arizona home. That’s where I really felt like I grew into myself.
How is dental assisting going?
I love it. I love being in the program, and I love my classmates and my teacher, Robin (Williams). She’s great. And I feel like I’m really growing and learning so much.
How did you choose Great Falls College?
Recently I got married and that’s what moved us out here because my husband is in the Air Force. I ended up at Great Falls College because I was searching around for places to go to school because I knew that was something I wanted to continue doing, even moving out here. And this was the one that popped up. And so that’s where I chose.
How did you choose dental assisting?
When I was in South Dakota, I was actually studying journalism because I love writing and just being on camera. I used to do the news at my old school, so that was really fun. But when I moved here, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do because I wanted to be more challenged. I had a conversation with my dentist in South Dakota and with my parents, and this is what I ultimately decided I wanted to do.
Dentistry hasn’t always been my interest. I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do after I graduated high school…And so at first it was law, and then it was journalism and now dentistry.
Did you have any college experience before coming to Great Falls College?
I had one year at University of South Dakota.
Did you transfer credits?
I did transfer credits. A lot of them transferred. More than I thought would, so that was great. I sat down with my advisor and we basically went over every class I had already taken at South Dakota and then how it would transfer here for the dental assisting program. And it was a pretty smooth transition. So that was good.
What do you like about Great Falls College?
I like a lot of things about Great Falls College. I like how the library is set up and how you can go into study rooms and use a cubicle or the tables. And I love how friendly everyone is. There’s always smiles on everyone’s faces here, so that’s really nice and inviting.
How long have you been in Great Falls?
Six months.
What do you like about Great Falls so far?
I love that Great Falls is a small town. I grew up in a small town in Alabama, so I’m very used to that aspect. And it’s easy to get everywhere. I’m still getting used to the cold, though, but I was in South Dakota last year, so it’s not terrible.
Have you used any of the services that Great Falls College offers, like tutoring or the Military Family Center or anything else?
I haven’t really been involved with much on the Great Falls campus, except for the dental assisting program, because that’s already so rigorous. So, I haven’t been able to really branch out. But I did go and reach out to Josh (Archey, the student engagement director), and he gave me a work study at the Help Desk, which has been really nice because I can sit there and do my homework as well as help other people.
What are your short term and long term goals when you finish?
When I finish the program, my first goal is to immediately start working as a dental assistant and getting that experience and getting my foot in the door. I already work at an office right now, but I don’t get to do all the things because I’m not certified yet, but I’m excited to start working as a dental assistant, and then I might take a few years off (school) and earn more money, so that way I can pay for dental hygiene (school).
You want continue school?
Yes, I do. I want to pursue the hygiene program and make sure I’m getting the most education I can. I don’t think I will go to the dentist level, but dental hygiene is definitely the next long-term goal.
How long have you been working in a dental office?
I’ve been working in a dental office for about three, four months now, so not too long. But yeah, I’m enjoying it now.
Did you start working there before you got into the program?
One of the requirements for the program is that you have to shadow at a dental office. And I shadowed at the one I work at now, and then a few months went by and I was kind of looking for some work. So I went there, and they let me be a sterile tech. So I get to sterilize all the instruments and the hand pieces and everything, and I really enjoy it because everyone there is so nice.
Being in a military family, what does dental assisting allow you to do, because you might move, right?
Yes, I think it would be a profession that’s going to move with me wherever we end up going, everybody needs a dentist in their life, and there’s places on base where you can get your teeth cleaned… So I’m sure it’ll be everywhere that we go, which is really nice because it’s a guaranteed job.
Have you guys deployed?
No, not yet. we haven’t. Actually, this is his first duty station. So, I think we’ll be here for a while.
What do you like to do outside of school? Hobbies?
I love taking naps when I can, getting that rest and also going on walks with my dog. I have a Yorkie-Poo and just spending time with my husband.
Working out, coloring, creating videos
Do you have a favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Clueless. I love Clueless. It’s my favorite movie of all time. I love the fashion in it, and it’s so funny and it’s a classic, so I love it.
Favorite book or author?
My favorite book is Never a Lie by Frida McFadden. It’s such a good book
And your favorite food?
My favorite food is ramen. I eat it all the time. I love authentic ramen, and I love the package versions too, and I probably shouldn’t eat it as much as I do, but I love it.
What does it mean to you to be going to college and completing your degree?
It’s really important to me to be going to college and making sure that I do get my degree because I feel like, I mean, my sister would be, I guess, the first out of all of our siblings to go. And she has been working so hard and she wants to be a nurse. So that’s very rigorous. And so I’m so proud of her. And I don’t know, I’ve always wanted to do pretty much everything my sister does because she’s my ultimate role model. But I’ve been inspired by her hard work and her courageousness. So completing a degree for me will be really important. And I have been very stressed and very much so anxious, but I’ve been making sure to take care of myself and give my best.
You mentioned that your sister is your ultimate role model, why is she your role model, why does she inspire you?
My sister is my ultimate role model because she is very resilient, just like my mom. She puts others first and never questions being there when you need it. She is one of the greatest people I know.
And did your parents go to college?
Yes, they did. My dad actually graduated not that long ago because he went back to school. And so it was really cool getting to see that. Like that was still something that he pursued even though he had all of us and my mom and everybody else to take care of, he still took care of himself. So I want to make sure that I’m doing that too
What’s been your favorite class?
I guess my favorite class so far, it really doesn’t count as a class, but we have weekend labs, and they are really long hours. We have to go in at 8:30 a.m. and we don’t get out till 7 p.m., but we’re together all day and I feel like that’s really helped us open up with one another and it’s so fun when we get to laugh, and Robin is hilarious.
So she really keeps us on our toes. But she’s also very challenging whenever she knows that, we can push ourselves to get different things done. And we’ve been doing X-rays for radiology and chairside stuff, which is making sure we have good manner when we’re patient side and everything. So it’s been really fun.