Pushing Past the Comfort Zone—and Into a New Career: Grad Q&A with Brianne Rodriguez

Brianne Rodriguez is a June 2023 graduate of the Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC Modesto. Her path to a new career was driven by inspiration—and by wanting a more secure future for herself and her family. Brianne isn’t afraid to work hard for what she wants, to learn whatever the job calls for, and to just do it.

What did you do before enrolling in the Clinical Medical Assisting program?

I managed different restaurants for eight years—and I’m still managing a Roundtable Pizza. When I got to the point that I’d tapped out on my raises, though, I decided to go to SJVC.

What made you decide to do the program?

My husband went to prison to serve 24 years, and I realized that I had to get a really good job. I knew I wanted to be in the medical profession. At that time, I was really inspired by shows about people in the medical field—I had just finished watching, “House,” and, “Grey’s Anatomy,” and I thought to myself, “I know I want to be in this profession, why am I watching these shows when I could be doing it myself?”

What were your favorite parts of the program?

My favorite parts were the staff and the students and getting to know everyone there. Miss Christy was an amazing instructor. My favorite lab was blood draws or injections—I really liked the hands-on part. Without that hands-on aspect, I wouldn’t have learned everything I was doing so easily. I’m so proud of myself, a single mom with two kids, going to school full time.

What were the most challenging parts of the program?

I got overwhelmed in the beginning of every module.  I’d be in tears; it was new to me and outside my comfort zone, but by week two, each time, I was prepared and ready for it.

As I got closer to the end, it became a reality that I really did this, a reality knowing that I accomplished it. The hardest part was me being scared of that reality, but my teachers and classmates were so supportive. They called and checked on me, made sure I was okay, and helped me work on what I was struggling with every single day until I got it.

Where do you work now? What is your job like?

I am being trained right now to be a lead medical assistant at Progressive Urgent Care, where I did my externship. I was offered the position the fourth week into my externship.

When I get to work, I walk in, find out if there are any injections or labs, prioritize patients, and find out which provider is on staff. There’s not really a typical day at urgent care—it’s so different every day! It could be at least twelve sick children with a high fever, it can be something crazy with wounds…it’s amazing to me with what people bring in. I have seen it all!

I love the team I work with! Everyone has a good sense of humor, and it’s fun. There’s always room to grow, so much to learn—and they make it easy and exciting to learn. I can ask them whatever I need to, and we literally call each other, “sister.”

I just put in my two weeks’ notice at Roundtable Pizza; it’s a bittersweet thing because I’ve been there for so long, but I’m about to be full time in my urgent care position, so I really want to concentrate on that. I am leaving my Roundtable family for my Progressive Urgent Care family.

Do you have any words of advice for someone considering the Clinical Medical Assisting program, or for someone just beginning?

Don’t stop going, don’t think much into it, just do it. Straight up like Nike, “Just do it.”