Being part of the Beacon of Hope program was a defining moment in my journey toward a career in healthcare. As a recent high school graduate in 2019, I thought I knew my path, but anxiety, doubt and fear set in—I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue and didn’t want to accumulate student debt figuring it out. So, I took a gap year to reflect on my “why.”
During this time, Beacon of Hope reached out with an opportunity to attend CVCC through their Stay Close, Go Far scholarship. I enrolled, earned my Clerical Certificate, and later, in 2022, was invited to participate in a College Promise student panel in Washington, D.C. There, I met former Centra CEO Amy Carrier and shared my uncertainty about my career path. Shortly after, with Beacon of Hope’s support, I received an internship at Centra, allowing me to rotate and shadow different healthcare roles.
This experience gave me exposure to various healthcare pathways and helped me realize the impact I could make in my community. I developed valuable skills in organization, communication, and problem-solving—many of which I use daily in my role at Centra. More importantly, it instilled in me a passion for serving others and improving community health.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Beacon of Hope program was the relationships I built with the professionals I shadowed at Centra. They became more than just colleagues—I saw them as mentors who guided me through my early experiences in healthcare. Their willingness to share their knowledge, answer my questions, and provide insight into different career paths helped shape my understanding of the field.
Even now, those same mentors continue to play a pivotal role in my career and educational journey. Their support has encouraged me to keep learning, set bigger goals and continue to challenge myself. Their influence reaffirmed my passion for healthcare and inspired me to further my education—I am now preparing to graduate with my associate degree in Administrative Management and will continue my studies to earn a bachelor’s in business administration. This program didn’t just give me career exposure; it gave me lifelong connections that continue to guide and support my professional growth.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was self-doubt—questioning whether I truly deserved the opportunity and if I was “doing it right.” Stepping into a professional setting as an intern, I often wondered if I was making the right impressions, asking the right questions or if I even belonged in the spaces I was in.
What helped me overcome this was the unwavering support from my mentors and colleagues at Centra, as well as the Beacon of Hope staff. They reassured me that my presence and contributions were valuable and reminded me that growth comes from learning. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to advocate for myself, trust in my abilities and take ownership of my journey.
Most importantly, what truly helped me push past the doubt was knowing that, at the end of it all, I would be making an impact. The opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself became my driving force. Overcoming this challenge made me more resilient and gave me the confidence to continue learning and growing in both academic and professional spaces.
I am now a part of Centra’s Community Health team, I see firsthand how much impact a dedicated and passionate group of professionals can make. Though we are a small team, we are driven by a shared commitment to improving the health of our communities. The work we do isn’t just about data and planning—it’s about creating real change and fostering partnerships that make a difference. Being surrounded by colleagues who care deeply about this mission has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I am incredibly grateful to contribute alongside such a small but mighty team that continuously inspires me to push forward and advocate for the needs of our community.
