From Housekeeping to Healthcare Hero

 

Sarah first came to GST Michigan Works! (GST) in June of 2025, while working as a housekeeper at a local hotel. Although she worked hard, she had always dreamed of pursuing a career in the medical field, specifically as a medical assistant. As a mother of four, Sarah believed going back to school simply wasn’t possible, especially while living paycheck to paycheck.

With support from GST Michigan Works!, that dream became a reality. Through training assistance, GST was able to cover the cost of Sarah’s medical assisting program at the Tuscola Technology Center. Along the way, Sarah received ongoing encouragement and support, whether it was financial assistance for essentials like scrubs or simply having someone in her corner cheering her on.

In January 2026, Sarah successfully completed her training and earned her medical assisting certification. Just a few short weeks later, she was hired at Aspire Rural Health Systems as a float medical assistant. Today, Sarah is thriving in her new role, doing work she loves while serving the same community where she is raising her children.

When asked what services she found most helpful, Sarah shared, “My career coach helped me the most. She gave me all the information about the school, set everything up for me to take the class, and made it easy. GST Michigan Works! also helped me find the class and paid for it. They even helped cover items I needed for my externship.”

Sarah also reflected on the challenges she faced, stating, “I have four children and never thought I would be able to go back to school. Living paycheck to paycheck, I didn’t think I could afford it.”

Thanks to her determination and the support of GST Michigan Works! Sarah overcame those barriers and built a better future for herself and her family.