Vanessa Navarrete thought she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but changed her mind after enrolling at Cal State University, Fullerton.
"I actually substitute taught for a few months and realized that it just wasn't the path for me," she said during a break from her new job as the sterilization coordinator at West Coast University's Dental Hygiene Clinic in Orange County.
Navarrete completed the dental assisting program at American Career College-Orange County in nine months and soon found work at her externship site. She said the best part of being a dental assistant was helping patients and building relationships with them and their families.
"I like building that trust with patients with what we do before the doctor sees them," she said.
Nearly five years after graduation, Navarrete now is responsible for making sure WCU dental hygiene students adhere to OSHA equipment sterilization standards.
"ACC is just a really good school. All the teachers and faculty made sure I never felt alone in anything. They were always there for me and I really thank them because they are part of where I am today," Navarrete said. "I don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for them. If you're interested in health care, definitely ACC would be the way to go."
Navarrete said she found her first job and her most recent job with the help of Career Services.
“I love the atmosphere at WCU. Everybody is sweet and that caught my attention right away," she said.
After working at professional dentist offices for several years, Navarrete said she was impressed by the staff and equipment at WCU-OC's dental clinic.
”Actually I’d love to go back to school sometime in the future," she said. "West Coast University truly is the best university."
