Julia is an Out-of-School Youth participant from the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) program, a GST Michigan Works! service provider. Julia shared that she has always been interested in the healthcare field but was unsure of how to get

started without financial support. After a family friend referred Julia to the FHEO Program, she determined it was time to leave her retail stocking job to pursue a healthcare credential.

Before healthcare training, Julia completed 120 hours of Life Skills and Healthcare Career Exploration training hosted by Flint Strive. Julia shared that this training provided her the opportunity to develop her professional skills and create lasting habits for career success. Julia chose to pursue sterile processing technician training and began classes in August 2023. The FHEO Program provided financial support for Julia’s tuition, textbooks, and a laptop device to complete online course instruction. Julia was also supported by the FHEO Program staff who provided career guidance while she completed training.

Julia earned her sterile processing technician certificate in January 2024 and was hired by her externship site, Ascension Providence. Julia said that she is enjoying her new position in healthcare and where she works. Julia shared that she is interested in furthering her healthcare career and is interested in becoming a surgical technician in the future.