Eager for a Fresh Start, Stockton Student Sets Sights on Future as a Dental Assistant
For years, Darmina Bailey’s life felt stuck in a cycle she couldn’t break. While she was working, it was only enough to get by. Struggling with alcohol addiction, Darmina carried the heavy belief that she wasn’t capable of building anything more for herself.
“I didn’t really have any goals,” she said. “I was just… existing.”
That version of her life feels distant now, though it isn’t forgotten. After getting sober nearly three years ago, Darmina began the slow process of rebuilding her life, piece by piece, with a clearer mindset and a growing sense that she was meant for something greater.
That belief eventually led her to UEI College’s Stockton campus, where she enrolled in the Dental Assistant program. Now in her final module and preparing for her externship, Darmina sees her time at UEI as a definitive turning point—one that has helped her rebuild her confidence, define her goals, and take real steps toward a stable, independent future.
Taking Control of Her Life
Before enrolling at UEI, Darmina was already working full-time as a dietary aide at a rehabilitation facility in Lodi, just north of Stockton. It’s a role she continues to hold today, providing much-needed stability, but the demanding and unpredictable hours made it difficult to plan for the future.
“It’s exhausting sometimes,” Darmina said. “You don’t always know what your schedule’s going to look like.”
After years of physically demanding roles in kitchens, she began to rethink her path. It was a thought she’d had before, but self-doubt often stood in the way of setting firm goals.
“I just didn’t believe in myself—not at first,” she said. “Then one day, I just woke up and went for it.”
Darmina had seen ads for UEI that resonated with her. Having moved from Colorado to California two years ago, she was already in the process of starting over. She felt that enrolling could provide the structure and purpose she was looking for.
“I wanted something positive to look forward to,” she said. “Something I could build on. UEI became that something.”
Interested In Our Dental Assistant Program? CLICK HERE >
Finding Confidence in the Process
From the start, Darmina knew balancing a full-time job and a new certificate program while living in transitional housing would require immense discipline. She admitted to feeling some nerves walking into the classroom for the first time, but that feeling quickly faded as she found her rhythm.
Darmina discovered that she thrived during hands-on training, where she could apply what she was learning in real-time. While she describes the work as challenging, she finds it deeply rewarding.
A significant part of her growth comes from the support of her instructors. One instructor in particular, Marshae Simpson, made a lasting impression by going out of her way to help Darmina sharpen her skills.
“She goes above and beyond for us,” Darmina said. “She let me come in on a Wednesday morning—my class is in the evenings—while she was teaching another class just to give me pointers. She’s a busy woman, but she’s so patient. I just love her to death.”
Instructors like Mrs. Simpson have helped Darmina strengthen a belief in herself that had been missing for a long time. With each completed module, her mindset has shifted from doubt to determination.
“Every time I learn something new, it reminds me of what I can really do,” she said.
Looking Toward the Future
As she prepares for her externship, Darmina is focused on gaining real-world experience and securing a permanent position in the dental field. The opportunity to build a stable career and eventually move into her own home is a goal she has worked toward for years.
“I just want to get in the field and keep learning,” she said. “That’s what I’m excited about.”
That sense of excitement stands in sharp contrast to where she was just a few years ago. Today, her long-term goal is to work in oral surgery.
“I never thought I would be looking forward to this, and I’m right there,” she said in anticipation of graduation. “It’s all I think about. Three years ago, I was depressed and drinking; I did not see myself where I’m at today. I’m just so proud of myself.”
