Right at Home in a Medical Career: Morrow Student Finds Her Path at UEI

When Jasmine Hodges walked through the doors of United Education Institute (UEI) in Morrow, she was simply looking for a path forward. At the time, she was working at Domino’s and doing hair on the side, piecing together jobs to make ends meet.

“I was kinda just trying to make it,” she said. “I just got tired of doing that, so that’s why I went to school.”

What Jasmine wanted was clear: a career that would give her stability, fulfillment, and the chance to help others. She found all of that and more by registering as a Medical Assistant student at UEI’s Morrow campus.

Not only did she graduate, but she’s now working for the same company where she completed her externship, a position she secured before she even walked across the graduation stage.

“I wanted to give myself the opportunity to be better, and UEI was able to assist me with that,” she said. “UEI helped me find my path and gave me the motivation to keep growing.”

Discovering the UEI Difference

Moving to a new area can be overwhelming, but for Jasmine, it turned into the perfect opportunity to reset her future. She discovered UEI is less than five minutes from her new apartment and decided to tour the campus.

The moment she walked in, she felt something different.

“Everybody was just so nice,” Jasmine said. “The class schedule was easy to work around the schedule I already had. Financial aid was super helpful, and they guided me through everything. It really felt like the right place.”

The appeal of UEI’s hands-on, career-focused approach stood out, as well.

“UEI is different from a regular college because you don’t have to sit in classes all day,” she said. “It was like working in a medical office. It didn’t even feel like a classroom. The teachers made it feel like we were already in the field.”

Jasmine’s interest in healthcare started back in high school. She knew she wanted to be part of the medical field, but she wasn’t sure where to start. UEI’s Medical Assistant program enabled her to take the first step toward a field that once felt out of reach.

“Medical Assisting is a great way to start a healthcare career,” she said. “I like being able to help people, so anything in the medical field was a go for me. Once I started at UEI, I realized how much I enjoyed working directly with patients and being part of a team.”

Jasmin said her instructors played a major role in keeping her motivated. She gives special credit to Ms. Estoria Williams who went above and beyond for her students.

“I don’t want to be biased, but she did her thing,” Jasmine said. “Even after hours, she’d help us with skills and made sure we knew what we were doing before we left class.”

“Watching Jasmine grow into the confident professional she is today has been such a rewarding experience. From the very beginning, she showed determination and a true passion for helping others,” Ms. Williams said. “My goal as an instructor is to make sure students leave the classroom fully prepared for the field, and Jasmine embraced every skill and lesson we practiced. I’m so proud to see her thriving in her career and know she has an even brighter future ahead.”

Carving a Path Toward Employment

Jasmine said the skills she gained in class at UEI Morrow seamlessly translated into her externship at an occupational clinic in Macon.

“They were telling me, ‘I can’t believe you’re just an extern,’” Jasmine said. “They were so impressed by how well I was performing. I got a lot of good feedback and good praise from my skills and performance coming from UEI.”

And her hard work and training paid off. Before graduation, Jasmine was offered a job at the very clinic where she had trained, though at a different location. She’s now been working there for two months and is thriving in her new role.

Looking back, Jasmine said she knows she made the right choice by seeking an education and career training at UEI.

“I didn’t know what to do with my life, and UEI helped me pave a new way for myself,” she said. “My experience gave me confidence and the practical skills I need to succeed. It’s made me want to keep pushing forward — maybe even go further in the medical field one day.”

Her advice to others considering UEI?

“Go in there with the mindset that you’re already in your profession,” Jasmine said. “You’re there to get the skills. Just go in determined, and you can be just like me.”

More than anything, Jasmine appreciates the supportive environment she found at UEI.

“The whole school is great,” she said. “The people, the students, the teachers, the staff … it felt like being home.”