Rossana Garay
Age: 21
Hometown: Richmond, VA/ Venezuela
Region: Philadelphia
Center: Blue Ridge
Dates enrolled: 7/18/2017-3/17/2018
Training: CMA, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician, EKG Tech.

Rossana Garay came to the United States from Venezuela in 2016 looking for a better life. “For those who don’t know, my country is a mess right now,” she stated. Rossana graduated from high school, but unfortunately, she could not afford to go to college at that time. She took a job as a server/bartender at a local restaurant, but knew that was not where she wanted to stay. When she learned of the opportunities at Blue Ridge Job Corps, she said, “I just couldn’t pass it up.”
Rossana completed Clinical Medical Assistant and earned her CMA certification along with certficiations in phlebotomy, patient care techinican, and EKG technician, all within a span of seven months. She also participated in a three week internship at Smyth County Family Physicians in Marion, VA. On top of all this, she also volunteered on center as a recreation aide, and off center at local food pantries.
Rossana spent her first year working as a medical assistant in a podiatrist’s office after graduating from Blue Ridge, but found that her real passion is working with children. She is now employed as a medical assistant in a Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Richmond, VA. She plans to enroll in college courses in the near future to become a respiratory therapist. She is also engaged and expecting!
“Hang in there,” Rossana stated. “It can be a long and difficult journey, but the opportunities you receive at Job Corps will help you get to where you want to be. Just do your best and be patient, and your success will come like it did for me.”