Eight Philadelphia Job Corps students were accepted in a 10 week Drexel Medical Assistant (MA) paid training program.  Several students were considered for this competitive training. After careful screening, Philadelphia anxious and excited MA students were accepted and enrolled. Philadelphia Job Corps student Marquita Freeman-Walker is one of 24 participants currently in the pipeline program, which provides paid technical skills training, professional development training, mentoring by seasoned medical professionals, career development and job coaching services and a number of job opportunities through Drexel’s College of Medicine. Marquita Freeman-Walker said she has only lived “a few steps away” from Drexel for most of her life. But it wasn’t until she was accepted to the Drexel’s Certified Medical Assistant Pipeline Program, collaboration with University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, she felt like success was tangible.  “Honestly, for me, this is life-changing,” Freeman-Walker said. “This is not a game to me—this is the start of my career.” The opportunity was open to individuals who were unemployed and certified medical assistants. The paid training program is through generous support from the University City District and a wage subsidy of 50 percent provided by the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation.