Teresa M. Didn’t Let a Lay Off Get in Her Way

Teresa M. Didn’t Let a Lay Off Get in Her Way

One of the hardest aspects of our jobs at ed2go, is hearing the devastation in students’ voices when they share their stories of hardship. On the flip side, the most rewarding aspect comes when students share their story of success after taking one of our courses or completing a career training program.

Here is Teresa’s story of how she overcame hardship to settle into a new career upon completing the Administrative Assistant Certificate Program:

I lost my job of 10 years last year. I was devastated. There is not a big demand for 54-year-old women with back problems. I did not know what to do.

I contacted my local community college to see if there was job retraining. I knew that the program I took had to be convenient, affordable, and not involve commuting. With my back problems, I knew commuting and sitting long hours in a classroom were not for me. The Continuing Education Coordinator suggested the ed2go Administrative Assistant Certificate Program.

The program was self-paced. I took courses in Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant Applications, Grammar Refresher, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. As an elective, I completed the Medical Receptionist course.

The skills I learned were applicable to what I am doing now. After completing the Certificate Program, I got a job with an office-staffing agency. I worked as a temporary receptionist for a large law office with six partners in the firm. It was the boost my self-esteem needed. I did fine even though I had never worked as a receptionist before.

The same agency sent me to fill in at a doctor’s office in the medical file room. I loved every minute of it. I am currently volunteering at my local hospital where I have served on health information projects, worked in the accounting department scanning accounts payable records, and now I am serving as a receptionist/administrative assistant on the third floor medical unit.

I will start a new permanent position with a local community college in January in their continuing education department, working in the health occupations department. The training I received through ed2go satisfied my career goals, and gave me self-confidence that was stolen from me when I lost my job. Another benefit is I completed the program debt-free. I did not have to apply for student loans like so many young people are doing.

I would recommend ed2go to anyone who finds themselves to a situation similar to mine.

– Teresa M.