At just 21 years old, Jovana S. has made life-changing decisions with one clear goal — building a better future for her young son. Her journey toward becoming a medical assistant student at American Career College-Ontario was rooted in both determination and love.
Before enrolling at ACC, Jovana was studying criminal justice and playing soccer at a local junior college. But everything changed when she became a mother at 20. She realized that pursuing a high-risk career in law enforcement might not be the best decision for her child. With encouragement from her boyfriend, she began exploring safer, more stable career paths.
“I knew that having the career ‘detective’ behind my name wasn’t going to benefit my child, so I rerouted,” she said. “I started thinking about what other career would allow me to provide a good life for my son.”
That question led her to American Career College. What stood out to her most at ACC was the sense of community and care. During her campus tour, she brought her son along, and staff welcomed them with open arms. When she needed to take an entrance exam, staff even volunteered to watch her child so she could focus.
“Everyone was so helpful,” she said.
Jovana said she was drawn to the Medical Assistant program because of how quickly she could train to enter workforce, and particularly the way the instructors provided a clear path from Day One. The structure of the coursework and the hands-on skills training gave her a sense of progress and purpose.
“The calendar showed me that I’m one step closer to what I want to do,” she said.
Balancing school and motherhood wasn’t easy. Jovana juggled classes, work, and parenting with the help of a rigid schedule and a strong support system.
“Some days I debate whether I want to go to school or stay home with him,” she admitted. “But I always remind myself — I’m doing this for him.”
Looking ahead, Jovana plans to return in the fall to begin the vocational nursing program, determined to keep advancing in healthcare. Her son remains the driving force behind her journey — every class, every shift, every goal.
