Finding Purpose and Passion at UEI in Phoenix

For Esmeralda Bonney, enrolling at UEI College in Phoenix wasn’t exactly planned. It was a moment that surprised even her. But now, nearing completion of the Medical Assistant program, she feels something she didn’t expect: proud, accomplished, and amazed.

“It feels surreal. I didn’t think I was going to make it to the end. I thought for sure something would throw me off course. I’m always thinking the worst!”

Esmeralda spent most of her adult life focused on raising her children. With children now ages 11 and 12, and an older daughter living in Los Angeles, she found herself with more quiet moments than ever before.

“I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for so long. My kids don’t need me like they did when they were little. I found myself alone at home and I decided it was a good time for me to start something new,” she said.

As Esmeralda considered the skills she had, she started to seriously consider a career in the medical field. She wanted to impact others the way she had been impacted by medical professionals.

When her firstborn arrived severely ill and required surgery at two days old, Esmeralda spent six months in the hospital, far from home, watching her baby fight to survive.

“She was premature and her intestine twisted,” she said. “She needed surgery, had a colostomy bag, a G-tube, a port—she didn’t eat solid food for the first five years. It was terrifying,” she shared.

But during those months, she witnessed extraordinary compassion from the medical team.

“They were so comforting in the scariest time of my life. I always kept that in mind. I want to be that for someone.”

Still, starting school was intimidating.

“I’m older than my teacher!” she joked. “I didn’t know anybody, and I didn’t understand the lingo of the younger students. I felt out of place.”

But that changed quickly thanks to the community she found on campus.

“My teacher kept me motivated, and my fellow students, who are my friends now, have been so helpful. If I’m late or absent, they text me. They check on me. I’m the oldest one there, but now it’s a joke and we laugh about it.”

And then there’s Ms. G.

“Ms. G is amazing. She’s funny, witty, sarcastic. She makes us laugh and turns anything we’re studying into something interesting from the start. She’s just great,” Esmeralda said.

Looking back, Esmeralda wishes she had believed in herself sooner.

“If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself: whatever you do, do it knowingly and consciously. Don’t waste your time staying stuck somewhere you don’t want to be.”

And for anyone who worries they’re too old to start something new, she has a message:

“It’s not too late to go back to school. It doesn’t matter how old you are. There is still time. If you want to do it, do it. Jump in and don’t second-guess yourself.”

For Esmeralda, UEI helped her rediscover purpose, community, and confidence. Proving that the right time to begin is whenever you’re ready to take the first step.