Nina Flores is considered a non-traditional student. She grew up in a small town in Deming, New Mexico, where there was not much opportunity for her. She left at a young age to create a better life for herself and headed to Tucson.
She found a job as a medical assistant where she worked for about seven years, and then knew she needed to continue her education to be able to move up. She was inspired to continue by the doctor she worked for. The good doctor did what a lot of strong mentors do; shined a light on Nina’s strengths.
Nina says she hit a turning point in her life then and decided to pursue her dream of becoming a medical diagnostic sonography technician.
It wasn’t easy. She had a family, work and school to juggle, as so many can relate to, but she also had a heck of a commute from Tucson, too. She said not having study buddies nearby, as well as understanding and overcoming her weaknesses were some of her other challenges.
But with support, she did it and was offered a job as soon as she finished her program.
She says that no matter what life presents to us, we have it within us to create opportunity for ourselves.