At age 51, many people are starting to seriously look ahead at retirement. But for others, a new life may be just beginning.
Having already lived a half century, Brenda Bridges of Mississauga, Ontario, long dreamed of being a nurse. But it wasn’t until she lost her job as a waitress that she seriously entertained the idea of re-educating herself to get into the health care field.
Deciding to go back to school at a time when many of her peers were watching their own children graduate, Brenda decided to enter the Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician program at Everest College of Business, Technology, and Health Care-Mississauga. The nine-month program proved to be challenging, but she was more than up to the task.
“The class work is very intense and is not for everyone,” said Bridges. “But the experience you get is unbelievable. You’re actually in the workforce learning hands-on.”
Bridges not only excelled, but she graduated as her class’ valedictorian.
“Coming back at the age of 50 and trying to find her way is very different,” said Mississauga campus president Dean Tremain. “She (Bridges) was committed and had her mind set. Her story is, basically, that age is limitless.”
Although Everest is more expensive than the community colleges she looked at, Bridges said the investment is well worth it.
“The way a private college is set up is that they don’t treat you like a number on a piece of paper but like a real individual,” said Bridges. “The teachers are here for you and actually have time for you.”
With Everest’s help, it took Bridges just a month to find employment working with a group of family doctors at a cardiologist’s office as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.
“I love it,” said Bridges. “It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s a dream come true.”
Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician Education Available at Everest-Mississauga
It’s never too late to change your life for the better. Everest College-Mississauga is forming courses now in Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician education as well as other health care specialties. For more information and course schedules, contact Everest College-Mississauga now!
