UEI College Student Turns Setbacks into Strength at Mesa Campus

Throughout her life, helping others has been at the heart of who Jailyn Cruz Barraza is. It’s what drew her to customer service roles earlier in her career, and it’s what drives her today as a student in the Medical Billing and Insurance Coding (MBIC) program at UEI College in Mesa.

But when she first returned to the classroom after a few years away, Jailyn faced plenty of her own uncertainty. She had questions, doubts, and worries about whether she would adjust.

Instead of feeling judged, however, she found herself surrounded by encouragement after starting her classes at UEI.

“From the start, everyone at UEI was so understanding, supportive, and caring,” she said. “If I needed help, they were there. They didn’t just answer questions. They listened, gave advice, and made me feel like I belonged there.”

That support gave Jailyn the confidence not only to excel as a student, but to take on leadership roles at UEI’s Mesa campus as a student ambassador and work study staff member. She said it also sets her up to be successful in her career once she graduates — a career within which she can do what she loves: helping people.

A Life in Transition

Before enrolling at UEI, Jailyn was at a crossroads. She had been working at a mortgage company for more than a year and a half when layoffs left her without a job.

Unsure of her next step, she decided it was time for a change.

“I thought, ‘Let me just change this up a bit and take on a new challenge,’” she said. “That’s when I decided to go back to school.”

The decision wasn’t easy, nor was the transition into being a student again. But with the support of staff members and instructors, Jailyn found her footing. She built a strong relationship with her instructor, Shirley Crews, who went above and beyond to ensure students understood the material being taught.

“She always explains things in a way we can understand,” Jailyn said. “Even outside of class, she tells us we can come in with questions. She’s always there for us.”

“Jailyn has such a genuine heart for helping others, and that shines through in everything she does,” Ms. Crews said. “She came into the program unsure of herself but quickly grew into a confident leader who supports her classmates just as much as she applies herself to her own studies. Watching her take on ambassador and work-study roles while excelling in the classroom has been inspiring. She has the drive, compassion, and resilience to go far in this field.”

“I do take pride in my teaching method and my teaching style in  educating  my students.  I also teach my students about professionalism and soft skills. I teach from my heart, letting students know that not only I care about their education , but, I care about them as adults wanting to commit to a career change,” Ms. Crews said.

“My advice to all my students is keep striving for success and never give up on your dreams. I also ask them ‘when it is storming and raining outside, do you still go outside?’ And, their answer is usually ‘yes.’  So, then I tell them when the storms of life come, don’t’ quit. But keep pushing through the storms of life and towards the end of your program.”

Jailyn also found motivation through the death of her father, who passed away early in her UEI tenure.

“He was one of my inspirations,” Jailyn said. “I wanted to do this for myself, but also for him.”

Once she gained confidence, Jailyn’s natural instinct to help others kicked in. She became a student ambassador by her fourth month in the program, a role the involved welcoming new classmates and offering the kind of reassurance she once needed herself.

Soon after, she also took on a work-study position at the campus, helping new students get set up with their computers, tablets, and classes.

“I know how it feels to be shy at first,” Jailyn said. “I wanted to be someone who new students could turn to for answers, so they don’t feel lost or embarrassed.”

Discovering a New Career Path

When she first chose the Medical Billing and Insurance Coding program, Jailyn admits she wasn’t exactly sure what she was getting into.

“At first I was iffy because I didn’t know what it was,” she said. “But once I started learning about claims, forms, and codes, I realized I actually enjoyed it. It turned out to be fun.”

She especially likes the challenge of working with claim forms and ensuring everything is coded correctly. The program’s shorter timeline also appealed to her.

“I didn’t want to go to a school for years,” she said. “At UEI, I could get the training I needed quickly and start my career.”

Now nearing the end of her program, Jailyn is preparing to begin her externship, the next step toward her career in the medical billing field. She’s excited and a little anxious, but mostly she’s ready to prove herself in a professional setting.

“After my externship, I’d like to go straight into medical billing, doing what I do best, and start my journey from there,” she said.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering the MBIC program, Jailyn doesn’t hesitate.

“At first you’ll be confused, but it becomes really fun,” she said. “You won’t regret the decision. You’ll get to learn different abbreviations, procedures, and diagnoses, and you’ll come away with a better understanding of the medical field.”

For Jailyn, UEI has been more than just a place to earn a diploma. It’s been a place of transformation. She came in unsure, received the guidance she needed, and then turned around to give that same support to others.

“I made a good decision to enroll,” she said. “My experience at UEI has been great overall. I can’t complain. I’m an overachiever, and I never let anything keep me down. UEI has changed my life, and now I get to help others change theirs.”