Katlyn Gandee is a Clinical Medical Assistant graduate from WVJC Morgantown. She graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 2014. Before attending WVJC, Katlyn attended West Virginia University at Parkersburg for a year and a half. “They seemed to care a little, but it was really up to you if you went to class every day or not. I didn’t like that I couldn’t take classes that were for my major and what I had planned to do for my career.” She then knew that it wasn’t the place for her to continue her education and decided to check into WVJC to see what they offered.
After checking out the programs, she picked the Clinical Medical Assistant program because ever since she was a young girl she was interested in doing something in the medical field so that she could help others. “Before attending college, I worked at Sweet Frog (a frozen yogurt shop). I knew I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. After I worked there, I stayed with my great aunt who has Alzheimer’s.” Katlyn points to that moment as the time in which she found her calling and knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
Her favorite part about WVJC was that all the teachers were willing to help her in any way that they could. “The teachers always found time to help and answer questions that I had about classwork or homework. Everyone cared and wanted you to be successful.” Katlyn specifically points to Rayan Matthews, her program director, as one of her biggest supporters. “She always had faith in me and was telling me that I could do it!” Rayan would remind Katlyn that everything was going to be okay and to stop stressing out when she got too overwhelmed.
Katlyn liked many other things about WVJC, particularly getting the hands-on experience (via her medical labs and externship at WVU Occupational Medicine) for what she would be doing out in her career.
When Katlyn isn’t working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends. “I want to thank my family for always being there and supporting me the whole way through and always telling me to stay positive.”
Her advice for new students is that if you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask. The instructors will help you in any way they can. “The hardest obstacle was staying positive and reminding myself that I could do it even when there were times I thought I couldn’t. Staying positive really paid off in the end.” Katlyn is now working at Ruby Memorial Hospital as a phlebotomist.
For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended the Clinical Medical Assistant program CLICK HERE