Motivated by Motherhood, Medical Assistant Student Looked to her Kids to Persevere

Azazrah Brown had always wanted to work in the medical field but when she had her children, she dropped out of college to take care of them. When she felt ready to get back to school, it was them that motivated her to stick with it.

“I decided I wanted to go back to school because I wanted my kids to see you could do it. It doesn’t matter if you stopped or quit,” she said. “There are no obstacles that can force you not to finish.”

Just as Azazrah was considering going back to school, she saw a flyer for Florida Career College. After a quick tour of the Jacksonville campus, she decided to enroll in the Medical Assistant Technician program.

“I told myself in the living situation I’m in, I wanted to be in a place where I’m actually happy going to work,” she said. “I was tired of being miserable. I decided to go and do something I wanted to do. I wanted to start off somewhere and work my way to a higher place.”

Azazrah wasn’t nervous about getting into the medical field. She had already worked as a caregiver for elderly patients. She enjoyed the work, but it was also very physically demanding. Medical assisting would give her the opportunity to work in a medical environment but in a new way.

“I’m not squeamish around blood or anything. Watching that on TV and then experiencing it firsthand in real life, I was drawn to it,” she said. “I liked it. The hands-on experience, doing things I’ve never done before. It was very interesting.”

The biggest challenge for Azazrah was just getting to the campus and finding people to help care for her children. It was difficult, but she managed.

“I almost quit because I was going through something, but I looked at my children and thought about how my life was going at that moment and decided that I was going to push through to the end,” she said. “I just could not let my children see me give up because they learn from you the most in the first few years. I have to and will continue to be a positive role model for them no matter what. I kept on going. I had some bumps in the road but look at me now! I really did it through all the obstacles and challenges and stressful nights.”

“Ms. Azazrah Brown is a Medical Assistant graduate who overcame several challenges while on her externship site,” said Ludence Parsons, a career services specialist for Florida Career College. “Ms. Brown was working a full-time employment while satisfying her externship, all as a single parent. Ms. Brown also had transportation issues that had to be overcome. She is a good student who did well despite her challenges.”  

At the end of her externship, Azazrah plans to work as a medical assistant for a few years before continuing to become a nurse.

“Going through this program, it made me more determined and showed me I can do anything,” she said. “I’m a lot more patient with myself in learning new things. I’m a lot quicker. I feel like I pick up on things a lot faster. Being in that field you have to be quick on your feet. Keep on pushing it. Everyone’s situation is different. Keep your head up and keep moving. It’s going to be worth it in the end. I’m ecstatic right now. I can’t wait to start officially working.”