Jennifer Franco had to grow up fast.
When she was 18, Franco had to become the main breadwinner for her mother and siblings after the family faced some financial hardships.
“I was going to community college but everything was kind of put on hold and I had to step up to the plate,” she said, “and I did it.”
Franco knew she had to find a career — quickly — and decided to check out the medical billing and coding program at American Career College-Los Angeles.
“I loved the energy I saw on campus and I was in the position where it was either sink or swim. I wanted something different, so I went for it. And six months later my boyfriend at the time — now my husband — signed up for massage therapy,” Franco said. ”Now I can say I'm in a better place than I was back in 2010."
Six years later, Franco is back on an ACC campus. But instead of ACC-Los Angeles, she’s at ACC-Lynwood; and instead of being a student, she’s now a medical billing and coding instructor.
”Coming back to American Career College, I think it's very special to me because I've been in that spot, been in that place, and I know why the students are taking a step to better themselves. So if I can provide some place where they can learn and give them the tools, I think that's something I'm very honored to do,” she said.
Franco said she chose to study medical billing and coding because she had always been interested in healthcare — to a point.
"I like the medical field but I don't think I would have the nerves to actually do everything that the nurses do," she said, laughing, "so I felt being in the back seemed better.”
While attending ACC, Franco worked three jobs and was one of the first MBC externs to be hired at Lumina Healthcare.
"Now it's one of the big companies that does take a lot of externships,” she said. “That's also something that I'm proud of because we helped start that relationship with them."
Franco eventually wants to go back to school and continue her education. She said she'd like to go into business for herself and continue to provide for her family.
"Now my mom is so much better, my family is so much better and I feel proud of myself to be able to help the family when we needed it," Franco said.
In the meantime, she's looking forward to teaching people who want to make a change in their lives — the same thing she did years ago.
"It's a good opportunity for those that want to make a difference, that might not believe that they can do it," Franco said. "All the resources are here and if they're able and willing to take that first step, then we can provide them with the help they need."
