There’s no better motivation than showing your 4-year-old daughter the importance of following your dreams. Danyal Melchor always knew she wanted a career where she could help children feel better.
“I was always fascinated with wanting to help care for little children and help with their treatment.”
Finding a way to make her dream a reality proved more difficult than Danyal thought. But after seeing a Carrington College commercial, things starting to come into perspective. She knew her next steps would be to check out the Carrington College Albuquerque campus and see what the Medical Assisting program1 was all about.
“I needed to start somewhere and climb my way up the ladder. I had always had a passion for wanting to help other individuals and I thought this would be my chance to get my foot in the medical setting.”
Finding the Balance
Juggling being a student and a single mom can be challenging. Luckily, Danyal had the support of her family. She was able to drop her daughter off early in the morning with her aunt while training for her future career as a medical assistant2. Danyal admits it was hard to be away from her little girl, but making a better life for both of them made it worthwhile.
“I wanted to give her a better life that she deserved and I didn’t want to work at a job that I didn’t like just to make ends meet. I wanted to show her that I enjoyed what I did and show her that I was truly happy with where I was in life at that time.”
Reaching the Finish Line
All of Danyal’s hard work paid off when she got to walk across the stage at her graduation.
“I was very happy on graduation day! Knowing that I stuck it out and finished strong was the best feeling. I felt so confident that I was able to not give up and go after what it was that I wanted.”
Making the day even more special was seeing her daughter in the audience cheering her accomplishments.
Danyal now works at a dermatology clinic in New Mexico.
“What I like most about my current job is that I’ve learned a lot about the skin and what factors can greatly impact the skin. I also like the fact that I can assist in procedures and the sterile set-up of them.”
But this is just the beginning for Danyal. She has plans to continue her education and career growth in the medical field. Danyal is ready for the next step – nursing school.
Danyal hopes her story can help inspire others. “Never give up. Remember anything is possible if you keep your mind to it. Finish strong and do your very best.”
1. Important information about the educational debt, earnings and completion rate of students who attended this program can be found at carrington.edu/GE
2. Individuals seeking to enter this career field may be subject to screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks and drug/alcohol testing prior to externship, to attain occupational licensure/certification or employment and throughout their careers.
