The Queen Creek Unified School District works to prepare students for life after they graduate through its Career & Technical Education program.

While all three of QCUSD’s high schools offer CTE programming, medical assisting courses are offered at Crismon High School.

The program prepares students to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties including patient intake, care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, according to a district press release.

"I think getting to know the basics and the history of medical assisting is fun,”  Acelyn V., a freshman at CHS, stated in the release.

Acelyn’s goal is to have a career in the field of dentistry, either as a dental hygienist or in orthodontics. She took the medical assisting CTE class to help her better understand the medical field and its practices.

“This class will help me prepare for the future by reinforcing the basics, no matter which field I pursue," Acelyn added in the release.

Mattingly W., another CHS student who chose the medical assisting class, had clear intentions when enrolling.

"I chose to take this class because I want to work in this field when I'm older," she stated. "The most interesting thing I have learned is the history of medical assisting and how long this career has been around."

At the end of her sophomore year, Mattingly will already have the credits needed to attain a certificate in Basic Life Support. This certification will help her as she applies to colleges by giving her a jump start into her career path, the release continued.

"I think it's important that the colleges I want to go to can see that I want to do this and that I'm committed," Mattingly stated.

Both Acelyn and Mattingly stated that they are happy they enrolled in the course because of the practical skills and certifications it offers to those interested in health care.

"It provides you with the background you need," Mattingly noted and encouraged other students to consider taking courses in a CTE program.