Changing Career After 28 Years in the Hair Industry: Ilona’s Journey

Ilona is one of our new Medical Office Administrator students, who has shared her journey with us. She shares her experience from hairstyling to her new career in healthcare, and the struggles she has faced during COVID-19.

After being in the hair industry for 28 years, the COVID-19 restrictions forced her to close her hair salon. She knew she had to make major changes for her future and started looking for a different career path, “I felt in my gut that it was time to change to something more secure and recession-proof, but I was nervous and not 100% sure of what I wanted to do”, she said.

She was interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, so she started researching colleges on the internet. Anderson College was one of the first colleges she saw! She took the career quiz, which led her to Judy, an Admission Advisor at Anderson College.

Judy helped Ilona discover her career prospects by giving her information on the healthcare programs that Anderson College offered. Ilona was particularly intrigued by the Medical Office Administration program, so she requested more information on this program, “From the beginning, Judy was very helpful, informative about the different programs, and most importantly she really supported me with my decision to take the MOA course,” added Ilona.

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She then met with Carmen, one of the Financial Advisors at Anderson College. She learned more about navigating finances, and got started on her OSAP application, “I have to say that without Carmen’s help with OSAP, I would have been completely lost!” said Ilona. Carmen took the time to walk her through the application process and made sure that she had all the documentation.

Ilona has now started her Medical Office Administration program and is loving it! “I look forward to this year of school and all that there is to experience in the medical world as an MOA”, added Ilona.