From a Gas Station to a Medical Career: A UEI Morrow Student’s Journey

For 10 years, Aleaha Anderson built a steady career working at a gas station and convenience store. She enjoyed her work, but the schedule — especially overnight shifts — took a toll. And something inside her kept nudging her toward something more.

“I loved the job,” she said. “But something kept telling me, ‘Go to school, pursue your education, and get a better career.’”

That inner voice only grew louder when a dentist recognized her strong work ethic and invited her to volunteer at his office. For the first time, Aleaha got a glimpse of what a career in healthcare might look like.

She enjoyed the experience, but when the dentist couldn’t pay her without formal training, she realized she’d need to further her education if she wanted to truly move forward. So, Aleaha started researching programs that could quickly prepare her for the medical field while remaining flexible enough that she could still take care of her family.

That’s when she found United Education Institute (UEI) in Morrow, where she registered in — and recently completed — the Medical Assistant (MA) program.

Choosing UEI

Aleaha admits school hadn’t always been her thing, and she wasn’t sure she could balance studying with raising her two children. But UEI’s MA program offered a shorter timeframe, hands-on learning, and a welcoming, diverse environment.

“The length of the program drew me in first,” she said. “Then once I got there, it was pretty diverse. There was a lot of culture, and it was a good environment. It made you feel like you were at home.”

She also appreciated that her schedule allowed her to be a mom — take her kids to school and be present for their sporting events and practices — a balance that, to her, was priceless.

And even though she was nervous about returning to school, Aleaha quickly discovered the program was different from her past experiences with education. The hands-on training gave her confidence, and the instructors provided steady support.

Her instructor, Britney Trice, stood out most.

“She was amazing,” Aleaha said. “She was attentive, always went the extra mile, and even knew when I was having a bad day. She gave me that extra push to make sure I was going to class.”

Aleaha also joined UEI’s work-study program with the career services department, where she learned professional skills and got exposure to the office side of healthcare.

“It opened me up to want to keep going,” she said. “It prepared me in ways beyond the classroom.”

Following an Unexpected Path

Earlier in life, Aleaha admits she thought she wanted to work in pediatrics. As a child, she’d dreamed of becoming a pediatrician because she loved kids.

Later, when she seriously considered dental assisting, she realized it wasn’t for her. The strong, minty smells in the office were too much.

So, she pivoted to medical assisting, and the choice felt right. Still, she never would have predicted her externship placement: a men’s clinic.

“I never imagined I’d be there,” she said. “But I loved it. I learned so much and was able to apply everything I had practiced in school. It gave me real confidence.”

That externship soon turned into something bigger: a job offer. Aleaha accepted a Medical Assistant position at the clinic and officially launched her new career.

When Aleaha reflects on her decision to leave the gas station after a decade and step into the unknown, she feels nothing but pride.

“Going to school was the best feeling because it was my decision,” she said. “Closing one door allowed another to open. And now I am a Medical Assistant.”

Her children have been her biggest cheerleaders. They’d see her come home with her back of tools and supplies, and they often asked her to practice by taking their blood pressure or checking their vitals.

“They actively supported me the whole time,” she said. “Now they say they want to be doctors because they saw me doing it.”

For anyone considering UEI, Aleaha has clear advice:

“You have to speak positivity into your mind so you can push yourself to get through. It’s not hard. You just have to put your mind to it and get it done. Communication goes a long way, and you’ll get out what you put in. I’d definitely recommend the program — a 10 out of 10.”