Medical Assisting Brings Endless Options

Brian Flores started at Community College of Philadelphia in 2019 as a Photography major. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, things shifted for Brian, and he was no longer interested in studying Photography. He took some time off and then returned as a Health Care Studies student. He is now on track to graduate with an associate degree in Health Care Studies and a Medical Assistant proficiency certificate.

When Brian first graduated from high school, he was interested in attending Temple University to study Nursing. When he found out that he didn't get accepted, he wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. So, he decided to join the military. Then, Brian learned that he could go to college for free at CCP through the G.I. Bill and a Pell Grant.

In the time Brian took off between studying Photography and Health Care Studies, he re-discovered his interest in the medical field. “I took a year off and I was just like let me try to reevaluate what I want to do,” Brian said. “So, I enlisted in an EMT program, and I was an EMT for a little bit.” After working as an EMT, he decided to come back to CCP to study in the medical field. “I got into medical assisting, just to get my foot in the door,” Brian said. “Maybe I’ll pursue Nursing in the future, but I'm not sure yet.”

In that time and throughout all his years at CCP, Brian has maintained his role with the military and has also worked, at different times, as both an EMT and a pharmaceutical tech. All these jobs gave him a sense of where he wanted to focus his energy. After he graduates, Brian plans on getting his phlebotomy certification and working as a phlebotomist while he looks for a more long-term position as a medical assistant. After that, he says, “I’ll look for a job at a clinic or maybe a hospital setting to get my hours for medical assisting.”

Brian is excited to work as a medical assistant so he can see multiple aspects of the medical field. “I think it's a good place to start and if you want to go further than that you can,” Brian said. “You can see how people do x-rays and be like, ‘oh maybe I want to do this instead.’”

Though Brian is excited to graduate and earn his degree, he said he’s enjoyed his time at CCP. “I think a lot of the professors are great. You can tell they really care.” To Brian, that’s one of the most important elements of education. “I think that’s important because you can go to class, but if you don't feel like that teacher cares, I don't think you're learning. “Or I think it’s harder to learn.”