Samantha Cruz is a 21-year-old medical assistant student at the Hartford Job Corps Center in Connecticut.

“Life before Job Corps was difficult,” Samantha says, “I didn’t know who I was.” Samantha says she needed direction, so she gave Job Corps a try.

“I went there to complete my trade and get my driver’s license, which I achieved.”

She completed the medical assistant program and then did a short internship with Medi-Weightloss in West Hartford, Connecticut, where she was later hired.

Maggie Talaska, medical assistant at Medi-Weightloss says, “Samantha came in ready, with excellent training. Her knowledge and experience made it really easy to train her. She’s terrific to work with. She’s a great asset for the clinic.”

The manager at Medi-Weightloss, Allison Logoyke, adds, “It was a great opportunity for us and her. She got some great training and developed some wonderful skills. She’s a great addition to our team…she is very compassionate with our patients and is an excellent team player.”

Samantha plans on advancing in her new medical career by going to college in 2019.

“Job Corps was great to me. It provided all that I needed. The staff are all excellent, and it helped me find out who I really am.”