When Yonnalys C. walked across the stage at the American Career College graduation ceremony at the Toyota Arena, she wasn’t just celebrating the end of her program. She was honoring months of dedication, careful time management, and the support of her family.
Yonnalys graduated from the Optical Technician program at ACC-Ontario, a fast-paced, hands-on program also offered at the Los Angeles campus. Her path to this day was shaped by determination, flexibility, and a shared commitment with her husband to build a stronger future for their family.
Finding the Right Program and the Right Fit
Before enrolling, Yonnalys already had experience working in the optical field. That job sparked a passion that she wanted to grow into a career.
“What inspired me to get into this program was I worked in the field for a year prior. I ended up really liking it, so I was like okay, well, I want to take a step back from working and see if there’s any optical tech programs that I can join in.”
Her search led her to ACC-Ontario, where she found exactly what she was looking for, a program that could help her expand her skills and prepare for new opportunities in the healthcare industry.
Balancing Family and Studies
Life as a full-time student is never simple, and for Yonnalys, it came with added layers of responsibility. Her husband was also attending school full-time after leaving the military, and they were raising young children together.
“Luckily our schedule’s aligned to where we are a little off, so when I’m in school he can stay home and then when he goes to school I’m at home.”
The Optical Technician program is accelerated, taking as little as nine months to complete, which meant her schedule was intense. Yonnalys relied on planning, communication, and family support to stay on track.
“The program interested me a lot to stay focused, but also obviously with the help at home and then the flexibility that ACC has, I was able to get everything done in a timely manner.”
A Support System That Made the Difference
One of Yonnalys’s biggest sources of encouragement was her husband, who reminded her she could succeed even on the most difficult days.
“I want to thank my kids and my husband for always pushing me to do the best and knowing that I can do the best even at times when I thought that I would fail or not be good enough. My husband was always there to cheer me on and let me know that I got this.”
She also credits her Optical Technician instructor, Miss K, for giving her the confidence to push through challenges.
“Anytime I had doubts, she was always there to tell me that I can do it and not to think about it so much, and that I’m doing great.”
Looking Toward the Future
With graduation behind her, Yonnalys is focused on gaining more experience in the field before taking the next step toward her ultimate goal.
“I want to work at the place that I’m at for about a year or so. We do plan on heading back home to Ohio, and eventually I do want to work hopefully in optical at some sort of hospital, even a children’s hospital. That’s my dream.”
Her advice to anyone considering the program is simple: “Just do it. It’s a shorter program so you just keep looking and the time goes by so fast. As long as you are interested in the program that you’re doing, I would say definitely do it, and you’ll be happy that you did.”
About the Optical Technician Program at American Career College
ACC’s Optical Technician program, offered at the Ontario and Los Angeles campuses, prepares students for careers in optical retail, private practices, and healthcare facilities. In as little as nine months, students can learn skills in lens fabrication, eyewear fitting, optical math, and customer service. The accelerated format is designed for motivated learners who want to enter the workforce quickly while still receiving comprehensive training.
