Medical Assistant Student Finds Calling at UEI College Tacoma

When Destiny Payton first walked into UEI College’s Tacoma campus, she wasn’t sure where her path would lead. She had tried different jobs (security, retail, and her most recent position at the airport), but nothing felt like the right fit.

“I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Destiny said. “Those jobs weren’t really my mojo.”

Something inside her told her she was meant for more. So, with encouragement from a friend, Destiny toured UEI College’s Tacoma campus. What stood out wasn’t just the convenient location or the flexible class options, she said, but the people.

When she first toured UEI, Destiny said “It felt welcoming. Even though school wasn’t in session that day, I could tell it was a place where I could belong.”

Today, Destiny is a UEI graduate about to start her new career as a medical assistant in a local dialysis clinic. It’s a career she didn’t even knew existed just a few short months ago, but she hopes will kick off a satisfying journey in the medical field.

Stepping Into the Medical Field

Although Destiny’s mother and aunt both work as phlebotomists, she hadn’t seriously considered a career in healthcare. But, she enrolled in the Medical Assistant program and quickly realized it was the right choice.

“So much knowledge — oh my gosh, the knowledge,” Destiny said. “I will never look at the world the same now. You can look for early signs of something, you can help out when needed. It’s really exciting.”

The classroom environment sealed the deal. Destiny described her teacher, Tanya Alvarez, as someone who balanced strict focus with a caring, fun approach.

“She treated us like her own kids,” Destiny said. “She had her own things going on, but she connected with us as people. Our class was wild — I’m not gonna lie — but she knew how to handle us.”

“Destiny has shown remarkable growth, dedication, and resilience throughout her time in the Medical Assistant program,” Tanya said. “She approaches every challenge with determination and positivity, and it has been a joy to watch her gain confidence in her skills. I have no doubt she will continue to excel in her career and make a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients.”

Even the moments that could have been intimidating became bonding experiences.

“We had to practice poking each other for blood draws,” Destiny laughed. “Letting someone who’s not trained yet poke you takes courage, even when you’ve got tattoos like me. But we supported each other through it.”

Destiny recently completed her externship at a dialysis center, an experience that surprised her in the best possible way.

“Honestly, at first I didn’t know what dialysis even was,” she said. “I didn’t really like it at first, but once I learned about kidneys, blood work, and how the machines function, it became amazing. And goodness gracious, those patients are so brave. It’s incredible to see how the techs and patients interact. It shows that even when you’re going through a hard time, there’s always a rainbow after the rain.”

In just her first week, the dialysis center offered Destiny a job, a testament to the energy and skill she brought to her work.

“I never thought I’d be in dialysis, but now I love it,” she said. “I get to see patients regularly and build bonds with them,” she said.

Looking Ahead to a Medical Career

Now that she has her Medical Assistant Diploma, Destiny is already celebrating what comes next.

“When I told my mom I was registered to graduate, oh my god — tears of joy,” she said. “She was so proud.”

Her ultimate goal? To continue her education and pursue becoming a nurse, possibly alongside her mom. Eventually, she would like to work with pediatric patients.

“I want to work in pediatrics one day,” she said. “I love babies and I want to be surrounded by them every day.”

But for now, she’s embracing her first steps into the medical field with gratitude and excitement. UEI pushed her outside my comfort zone, and she’s happy it did so.

“I used to brush off ads about school like they were just blocking my movie,” she said. “Now here I am, graduating, starting my career, and dreaming bigger than I ever thought I could.”

Destiny doesn’t hesitate when asked what advice she’d give others considering the Medical Assistant program.

“Don’t slack off,” she said. “If you want to see your name on that honor roll board, you’ve got to work for it. But with all the resources UEI gives you, it shouldn’t be hard to keep up.”

She also encourages new students to embrace the full experience, even the nerve-wracking moments. She would also warn students to not lose themselves in their jobs — to have fun and really embrace the people they’re being trained to help.

“It’s a great experience — all the knowledge, all the hands-on training,” she said. “You just have to put your own little groove into it, so patients feel like people.”

Destiny is proof that with determination, guidance, and a supportive learning environment, the future can change in ways you never imagined.

“I didn’t think I’d finish at first,” she said. “But I pushed myself, and I did it. This is just the first baby step, and I know I can do so much more.”