When Tishabu Nicks enrolled at Stautzenberger College, she was working multiple jobs and often taking night shifts to make ends meet. The income was not what she needed, and after learning she was pregnant, finding a more stable future became even more important.
“School was my first choice,” she said.
Tishabu knew she enjoyed helping and talking with people. She was also drawn to the possibility of working daytime hours in a professional setting closer to home. Medical assisting brought those priorities together in one career.
After hearing positive experiences from friends who had attended Stautzenberger, Tishabu decided to enroll. The convenient location, welcoming campus and friendly faces helped her feel confident in her decision.
She graduated from the Medical Assistant Associate program in 2009, and has continued building on that education ever since.
Preparing for the Real World
For Tishabu, some of the most meaningful parts of the program happened through hands-on learning and the relationships she developed with her classmates.
“Your classmates become your friends,” she said. “We worked hard together and helped make sure we all succeeded.”
The practical training also gave her an opportunity to experience what working in the medical field would be like. She learned not only the clinical skills required of a medical assistant, but also how to communicate, observe, and work as part of a healthcare team.
“The hands-on training was like being in the field,” Tishabu said. “It made me less scared and more prepared.”
Her time at Stautzenberger also helped her mature, gain confidence, and feel ready to take her first steps into the professional world.
A Career That Continued to Grow
Tishabu has worked in the healthcare field since graduating. Over the years, she has met new people, developed her abilities, and taken on greater responsibilities.
As an Office Manager at ProMedica, Tishabu notes, “I’ve climbed the ladder, I’m making a good living for my family and me.”
Her journey demonstrates that becoming a medical assistant does not have to represent the final destination. It can be the beginning of a career filled with possibilities for continued learning, leadership and advancement.
Tishabu especially wants other medical assistants to understand that they should never allow someone else to limit what they believe they can accomplish.
“Anyone who tells you that you can’t move up the ladder after being an MA is untrue,” she said. “You can do anything that you put your mind to.”
Her advice is to listen carefully, observe the people and opportunities around you, and remain ready to grow. The next opportunity may come from an unexpected place, or from someone who recognizes your potential.
“You never know who is around waiting to give you your big break,” she said.
Tishabu came to Stautzenberger looking for stability. She found the preparation to enter healthcare, build a career and keep moving forward. More than a decade after graduating, her story offers a simple and encouraging reminder: your first step into a new field may take you further than you ever imagined.
Explore Medical Assisting at Stautzenberger College
Tishabu’s story is a reminder that a career in healthcare can begin with a single step. Stautzenberger College’s Medical Assistant Diploma program combines hands-on clinical and administrative training to help students prepare for entry-level opportunities in healthcare.
Explore the Medical Assistant program to learn more about the curriculum, training opportunities, and how to get started.