Johnson Thrives In Her Career After Graduating Cleveland State

Johnson Thrives In Her Career After Graduating Cleveland State

Holly Vincent
Thursday, May 20, 2021 12:00 AM
TBR, Academics, Community, Alumni

Michael Johnson didn't’t waste any time jumping into her career in medical assisting. She graduated from Cleveland State Community College in May of 2016 and started working at Peerless Pediatrics a month later. Johnson knew she wanted to attend CSCC after researching the medical assisting program and finding out it offered both the clinical and clerical side of the field, and that’s exactly what she was looking for.

Now being in her career for five years, she knows the most favorite part of her job is simply her patients.

Johnson stated, “I’ve had the opportunity to walk beside our patients and their families in some of the best and some of the hardest times. I have said it before and I will say it again, pediatrics is a calling; it’s not for everyone.”

While attending CSCC, Johnson raised her two boys, but being part of the medical assisting program made it easier to learn and practice her job skills to prepare her for post-graduation. She also gained friendships with classmates who later became coworkers.

“I had a wonderful experience at CSCC. The size of the college and the MA program provided a great opportunity for hands-on learning. The program allows you the opportunity to be able to practice the skills that you will use in the workplace.”

Thinking back to her time at CSCC, Johnson remembers her favorite memory being the look of joy on her two kids’ faces as she walked into the gym for graduation. Her sons, Cole and Clay, were always understanding of their mother’s educational journey. Although Johnson had to miss a few sports games and commitments, her family knew it was a sacrifice that will benefit in the end.

If Johnson could give any advice to students in the CSCC Medical Assisting program, she says to “give your all to this career and be prepared for whatever comes your way.”

“Be ready to work,” Johnson said. “Be prepared for constant changes in the medical field and have a servant’s heart. Being a medical assistant requires you to give more than you will get. However, if you have a heart for people and are prepared to serve your patients, the reward is priceless.”

Students who would like to be a part of CSCC’s Medical Assisting program will be able to learn and experience in the brand new state-of-the-art Health and Science Center.  The building gives students real-life medical environments with mock doctors’ offices, ambulance simulators, and laboratories. The center opened in the Spring of 2021, and classes are being held now. If you would like more information on the Medical Assisting program, email Med_Assisting@clevelandstatecc.edu.

For more information on Cleveland State Community College, visit the website at clevelandstatecc.edu or email clscc_info@clevelandstatecc.edu. If you are interested in applying, visit mycs.cc/applynow. Students are currently enrolled online and on-campus through the CSCC main campus in Cleveland, Tennessee, as well as CSCC’s Athens Center in Athens, Tennessee and Monroe County Center in Vonore, Tennessee.

CSCC earned the Tennessee Board of Regent’s 2019 College of The Year. CSCC directly serves Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk Counties in Tennessee. The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving more than 140,000 students.

Picture Cutline: Michael Johnson, CMA AAMA

Subscribed

Partners & Initiatives

  • Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator
  • America's SBDC Tennesseey
  • Your Skills. Your Future.
  • OneSource
  • Cleveland State Sustainability Initiative
  • TBR The College System of Tennessee
  • TN eCampus
  • Tennessee Transfer Pathway