What do you do with yourself when you decide to retire early?
 
Most people would become snow bunnies, take up knitting, or travel the seven seas. Linda Mills took a different approach; she chose to come to college … again!

Linda Mills will graduate with her second Marion Technical College degree this June.  In 1994 she received a business degree that transferred seamlessly into Ashland University where she completed a BA in Business.  After 28 years at Verizon, Linda was ready for a change of pace.  “I decided I wanted to get away from phones, computers and a desk.  I wanted to be doing something with people.  Because of my need to be with people (and the obvious supply and demand of the healthcare profession), I thought something in healthcare would be a perfect fit,” Mills said. That “something” ended up being a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).

Linda said that her first steps to register for classes were tough, “I was scared to death.” However, with help from a friend at the College and the friendly MTC staff, that painful first step was followed by many friendly and painless ones. Mills feels that the PTA staff does a great job of laying out a plan to keep you on target and creates a personal relationship with each student.  “I felt like I had lots of support from the instructors and fellow students,” she explained.

Since Linda is truly too young for retirement, she can’t wait to get started with her new career. She plans to work part-time as a Physical Therapist Assistant and feels it is a great opportunity to give back to the community through patient care. “I just love it! I know it is going to be a rewarding career,” Linda excitedly explained.
For those non-traditional students who are “scared to death” to take that first step, Linda assures them that they will see faces in the crowd that look a lot like them. Her advice is to start early, “especially in the healthcare field because it is competitive.”

Take the advice of someone who has been there … TWICE! If you have been out of college for a while, or have never been to college, take those first steps and MTC will guide you through the rest.

For more information on the PTA program, call 740-389-4636 or click here!