Robin Martin-Kestler
Portland Community College
"It will mean so much more to you because you struggled and made it, than if you hadn't."
Career Roadmap
Robin's work combines: Medicine, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Clackamas Web Academy
Bachelor's Degree
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Portland Community College
Certification
Dental Assisting Technician
Blue Mountain Community College
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive:
Bachelor's Degree: Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Certification: Dental Assisting Technician
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I wanted to be an EMT and then decided to pick up and move 3 hours away and start life over.
2.
I went to school for nursing, and then changed my mind and went into forensics.
3.
I was getting married and needed to find a profession quick so I chose Dental Assisting.
4.
I got accepted right away into the program, got married and then divorced right before entering the dental assisting program.
5.
Dealt with depression and adversity in the program. I was very lonely and felt alone. I was given a chance to quit, but I didn't and finished and Graduated!
6.
Moved back home and worked as a dental assistant for years.
7.
Decided I wanted to go back to school for hygiene. I was taking my pre-res and then was not passing. I was getting very discouraged.
8.
Applied for the Disabilities program at school and get myself all plugged in to finish my pre-reqs and apply for the program. I am having to redo all my classes to get A's but I will get there.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
Some of the discouragement I heard was, "The program is extremely competitive, and you will need perfect grades. You should find an easier profession." I am still struggling with this a lot, but I will not give up, it just may take me longer to complete.
How I responded:
You have to remember that you will feel so accomplished once you get there. It will mean so much more to you because you struggled and made it, than if you hadn't. It becomes more special and satisfying to you.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
You can do it! It just takes longer sometimes, but so much more rewarding.