Stephanie Williams was inspired by her grandmother’s battle with cancer to pursue a career in the medical field, and Job Corps helped her get there. After graduating from Mathews High School, Stephanie began taking classes at Rappahannock Community College. Unfortunately, she was unable to finish her degree because her grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Without hesitation, Stephanie stepped in and took care of her grandmother by driving her to doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy treatments. When her grandmother’s condition worsened, and was placed under hospice home care, Stephanie stayed home and worked with the nurses to offer the best care possible to keep her comfortable. Her grandmother passed away in 2015.
“As sick as my grandmother was, she never once gave up nor complained and always smiled,” Stephanie said. “My experience with my grandmother inspired me to want to learn and work in the medical field.”
Stephanie decided to enroll in Job Corps in September 2016 at the Blue Ridge center. She completed her Nursing Assistant, First Aid/CPR, and ServSafe certifications. Stephanie also served as vice president of the center’s Student Government Association.
On June 30, 2017, Stephanie completed the Blue Ridge Job Corps program and began working at Cary Avenue Assisted Living Facility as a nursing assistant. In November 2017, her employer paid for her to become a medical technician. The 21-year-old was recently promoted to lead medical technician and administrative assistant for the facility. Next, she plans to take online classes to get her registered nursing degree.
“I have had setbacks to get through school between life and having multiple health issues, but I have fought through everything to get where I am today,” Stephanie said. “I am not done with my career, and with baby steps, I will get there.”
Employer: Cary Avenue Assisted Living