UEI Medical Assistant Student Finds Direction After Years of Uncertainty

For years, Kathleen Harmon felt like she was running in circles. She had spent most of her adult life bouncing between entry-level customer service and contract jobs, trying to build stability while raising two kids. Each time she thought she had found a path that might last, it ended the same way—another job lost, another stretch of unemployment, and another round of self-doubt.

By late 2025, things had reached a breaking point. “I told my therapist it felt like I was just running in circles,” Kathleen said. “No matter how hard I tried, it always seemed to lead to a dead end.”

That conversation helped Kathleen turn a critical corner. After listening to her describe years of frustration, her therapist asked a question that forced her to see her situation in a new light: “If what you’ve been doing all this time isn’t working, when are you going to allow yourself to shift gears and try something new?”

The question struck a chord. Within days, Kathleen began researching career training programs near her home in Phoenix. That search led her to UEI College in Phoenix, where she enrolled in the Medical Assistant program. Kathleen says the decision helped her find what she had been missing for years: direction, confidence, and a newfound sense of purpose.

A Genuine Connection

Kathleen’s interest in healthcare began long before she stepped onto UEI’s campus. Growing up, she was fascinated by medicine and the high-pressure environments of hospitals. She remembers watching medical shows with her grandmother and imagining herself in those roles.

“I’ve always handled pressure well,” Kathleen said. “And people have always come to me when they’re struggling with medical issues. I knew it was something I could do well.”

She came remarkably close to pursuing that path straight out of high school, earning a full-ride scholarship to a university in California. However, after becoming pregnant with her son, she made the difficult decision to turn the opportunity down. Life became a blur of parenting and financial responsibilities, and her medical dreams took a back seat to daily survival.

Years later, her therapist’s advice brought that goal back into focus. Determined to make an informed choice, Kathleen created a spreadsheet comparing local schools’ program lengths, costs, and financial aid. But when she visited UEI’s Phoenix campus, she noticed a difference that a chart couldn’t capture.

“I had a conversation with one of the instructors that just felt very genuine,” Kathleen said. “She was open, approachable, and honest about what students could expect. It didn’t feel like someone trying to sell me something.”

Building Confidence in the Classroom and Beyond

Since enrolling at UEI, Kathleen says the shift in her mindset has been just as significant as the clinical skills she’s learned. “For the first time in my life, I actually believe in myself and my capabilities,” she said.

That confidence is reflected in her performance; Kathleen has earned honor roll recognition in every module so far. She credits this success to the supportive campus culture. “It really feels like a family,” she said. “Everyone supports each other and wants to see everyone succeed.”

Her instructor, Anne Daniel, has played a pivotal role in that growth. “She connects with people in a way that makes you believe you’re capable of more than you thought,” Kathleen noted.

That training was recently put to the test in a real-world emergency. Shortly after earning her CPR certification, Kathleen witnessed a serious motorcycle accident. Because of her training at UEI, she felt confident stepping in to assist a nurse at the scene.

“It was because of the skills and confidence I got from my instructor that I was able to help,” she said. While the victim ultimately did not survive, the experience reinforced Kathleen’s belief that she had chosen the right field.

Looking ahead, Kathleen hopes to eventually pursue a career as a surgical technician or a nurse. For now, she is focused on finishing her program and encouraging others who may be facing their own uncertainties.

“If someone is thinking about going back to school, I would tell them it’s worth it,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful that I chose this path.”