Andrea Schlueter had a comfortable and content life. As well as being a wife and mother, she had a secure job that she enjoyed. Thanks to her commitment and dedication as an employee, she had realized both accomplishment and advancement in the workplace. Then her employer went bankrupt, a victim of the faltering economy, and Andrea lost her job.
Optimistic by nature, Andrea chose to view this unexpected development as an opportunity to seek a new beginning, to pursue something that would interest and benefit her in the long run. She knew the job market was extremely competitive, given the economic downturn, and although she had developed many strong skills over her 17 years of employment, she lacked the formal educational credentials that would help her stand apart from the many others competing for jobs in difficult times. Andrea decided to go back to College.
Given her strong interest in health care and her desire to work directly with the public, Andrea soon decided that Conestoga's Health Services Receptionist program was a good fit with her personal and career goals. What was particularly appealing was the program's 'fast-track' availability. With the support of the Second Career program, Andrea successfully completed her program in less than a year.
Today, Andrea looks back on her decision to pursue a new beginning, and knows that she made the right choice.
"The versatility of the program was great," she said in a recent interview. "It has provided such a great foundation in so many areas, from computer training and accounting to proper English, office etiquette and career development. It offers the potential to open so many doors for people".
After she completed her first course in the program - Specialized Health Office - Chiropractic - Andrea volunteered at an Alternative Medicine office to make sure the career path she had chosen was right for her. The combination of in-class theory and practical application was exactly what she needed to confirm that she was headed in the right direction.
Personally, Andrea found her experience at Conestoga very rewarding. For her, the strong bond and camaraderie that developed among the students in the class was one of the highlights: "There was tremendous support for each other as we shared a common goal," she said. Andrea credits her instructor, Kimberlee Carter, for making the transition back to school such a positive experience, saying: "She truly made each individual feel special."
When asked about the advice she would give others considering a return to school, Andrea shared her experience: "Be prepared to work very hard, especially in a fast-track program. You need to make the commitment - it will be stressful at times but the outcome makes it all well worth it".
How has Andrea fared since completing the program? Two weeks after finishing, she accepted an offer to work as a Claims Examiner in the Risk Management department of Challenger Motor Freight. She credits what she learned at Conestoga as being very beneficial to her new role, especially the medical terminology she learned through the program. She is proud to be working for one of Canada's Top 50 Best Managed Companies, and plans to continue her education in 2011. Next on the agenda, and with the support of her company, is to enrol in the Insurance Essentials program at Conestoga College.
About the Program
The Health Services Receptionist program is intended for individuals who have an interest in working in the Health Services field as the first point of contact for clients and patients. Graduates will develop excellent customer service skills and learn how to address front-line inquiries and document processes. The program provides a unique blend of experiences to prepare graduates for work in a variety of front-line health service settings such as dental, optical, physician and chiropractic environments, where a strong foundation in computer skills, communication abilities and knowledge of health care terminology are required.
Insurance Essentials
This program is designed to give students an overview of business and insurance theory with a focus on fundamentals and essential skills in the claims, underwriting, and broker and agent domains. The claims area is investigated within the context of insurance knowledge and professional conduct. Underwriting is addressed as it relates to parameters set by the insurer and imposed by the external environment. Insights into the skills needed by a typical broker to perform effectively will be investigated. Emphasis throughout this program will be placed on both hard and soft skills within the context of the insurance industry.