Jessica Curiel’s persistence has helped her achieve many of her goals.
A graduate from the CareerWork$ Medical program, Jessica commuted daily from the Antelope Valley to take the eight-week course that prepares students with the fundamental knowledge to work in administration roles in the healthcare industry.
“I feel that when you are persistent and you are pursuing something that you know it’s going to benefit you, it all works out in your favor,” explains Jessica, a proud Latina who also recently earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Chicano Studies at California State University Northridge, “You just must, you know, be dedicated.”
Jessica’s perseverance was cemented in her during her upbringing. Both her parents are immigrants. Her mother, from Oaxaca, speaks only a regional dialect. Jessica learned the dialect and had to translate into Spanish, and then to English, so that she could help her family.
At one point, Jessica’s little sister suffered kidney failure. Jessica had to be with her and her mother at the hospital so they could communicate with the nurses and staff. This experience fueled her passion for healthcare and forged her path to CWM.
After graduation, Jessica’s instructor at CWM kept in touch with her and other graduates doing what is known as a placement check, where instructors and staff continue communicating with program participants to help them achieve employment.
During one of those touch points, Jessica was surprised when she received an offer to become part of the program staff as a Supportive Services Coordinator.
Jessica accepted knowing it would be a different experience, where she could put to use what she learned to help other program participants access essential services.
Being a former program participant, Jessica relates to the applicants and the process they go through to complete their career training. Now that she helps with the program administration, Jessica says she is still in shock because not long ago she was in their shoes.
“I feel that my experience in the program help me talk to the students and understand them,” says Jessica, “ I have a level of appreciation that’s much greater.”
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