A Strong Home Life With Love and Support Led IntelliTec Student to a 4.0 GPA and Plenty of Job Opportunities on His Horizon
![IntelliTec Medical Assistant graduate Nathan Farris](https://intellitec-edu.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ma-gj-nathan-farris-blog-240x300.jpg)
Despite managing a patient’s pain and illness inherent in the medical assisting profession, Nathan Farris starts and ends his day feeling lucky; lucky to have a wife and daughter who encourage him to follow his dreams, and lucky to have a unique opportunity to make people feel better. “I get to help them through some of the toughest times, and that makes me feel pretty good. Not everyone experiences a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for doing their job,” explained Farris, “and at the end of the day, I can’t ask for much more than that.”
It doesn’t hurt to have a positive attitude. Pam Waterman, Director of Career Services Director at IntelliTec College Grand Junction Campus always saw Farris as courteous and polite in the hallways, greeting every type of student. “His positive and calming demeanor exudes a quiet confidence, and peers and patients alike can’t help but react positively to it.”
Confidence and Drive Open up Doors to Employment
“Nathan is not the type of person to rest on his laurels,” said Waterman. “We shared a job posting with him, and by that afternoon he’d applied, had an interview, and was offered the job,” she added. The company even offered him a higher rate than originally posted, and encouraged him to complete specific training essential to their office, for which they would cover the cost.
Farris accepted the MA position, applied his newly acquired skills at a gastroenterology office, and after one month he earned his certification as a Surgical Technician. “I must have impressed the powers-that-be enough to invest this training in me,” Farris replied modestly.
His optimistic attitude and new skill-set landed him a job as a Dialysis Technician at DCI Dialysis with “better pay, awesome benefits, and a shorter work week!” according to Farris. He’s even getting paid to further educate himself with on-the-job training as he studies for to become a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT). An added bonus – his new company will even pay for the exam!
Farris Shares His Advice for Current IntelliTec Students
Every student has his/her own approach to going back to school, but Farris believes the one thing that carried him through working full-time and attending classes in the evening was to stay focused. He explained, “It may seem like a there is no tomorrow, but as long as you really take your education seriously and apply your knowledge to life, the rest will handle itself.”
Farris immediately recognized all the medical assistant courses were designed to intertwine, streamlining the program with the essentials and a lot of ‘practical’ time. “This gives you the opportunity to hit the ground running,” explained Farris.
IntelliTec’s Real Life, Hands-On Training was the Key to Choosing a Program
“This was a genuine opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and create a career for myself,” said Farris. From the moment he opened the doors to IntelliTec College, Farris felt welcomed. Even when the courses became challenging, the staff were always helpful. One teacher in particular shared some helpful advice, but Farris plans to keep that to himself. His philosophy is “when someone gives me really good advice, I don’t like to spread it around for everyone else to use. Keeping it private is what gives me my edge.”
About IntelliTec College in Grand Junction
The Medical Assisting training program in Grand Junction gives you hands-on career training to earn your associate degree (occupational), which is design to be completed in 18 months. Get real-life practice in our modern clinical setting with personalized instruction from our experienced and supportive instructors. Complete an externship and also be prepared for up to five professional certifications.
IntelliTec College in Grand Junction offers hands-on career training in the automotive technician, business/accounting, cosmetology/beauty, dental assisting, medical assisting, pharmacy technician and refrigeration & HVAC technician fields with associate degree (occupational) and professional certificate programs. Request information at www.IntelliTec.edu or call 1-800-724-9636.