SAN JOSE, CALIF.— Future dermatologist, Queenie Nguyen takes you on her journey of medical studies at the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education.

Nguyen, currently a senior at Silver Creek High School, first found interest in this field of medical studies junior year. Since as senior year approached she had to make a decision on what her future career would be. Being a senior in the SVCTE program, Nguyen has only three periods, one being AP physics, which Nguyen says is one of her hardest classes.

In SVCTE Nguyen does dental assisting, joining the program because it doesn’t just provide her with knowledge based on bookwork but is rather more hands-on which allows her to have a more exciting learning experience. Nguyen also emphasizes that she joined the program so that she could also get further knowledge about aspects of the medical field that she would eventually dive into in college. “It has been useful because I am encouraged to think more critically and creatively while learning to work in that field,” she says.

When it comes to the procedures and assignments done in SVCTE, Nguyên says she enjoys learning about every new thing each day. “ I feel like I’m role-playing as a real profession which really helps me feel confident and prepared in my skills,” says Nguyen. In the program, Nguyen has to wear proper clothes while working, cleaning, sterilizing, and disinfecting. Nguyen also reads textbooks and answers questions, along with putting instruments in their spots in the right trays. Another thing that Nguyen has to do is use instruments on prototypes to practice as if they were real people. She also had to do x-rays and do Tofflemire. However, the hardest thing that Nguyen has encountered is having to multitask and memorize since the program covers many areas of the medical field. She claims that there is no easy task until you repeatedly do those tests so you can master them.

On the other hand, there are the SVCTE staff and students, who she says are very supportive and friendly. Even the teacher respects them no matter their decision whether they want to stay in dentistry or not, in fact, the teachers will encourage them that there are benefits to being in the class. Regardless if they want to do dental work or not, the class will help the students in the future. “This drives us students to do work,” says Nguyen.

Along with the program comes homework, and with workload, Nguyen claims that sometimes it can be a lot. However, Nguyen suggests that you do your work in class and manage your time so that you don’t have much homework. And to anyone wanting to join the program Nguyen exclaims, “If you want to join, do it! That’s fast on it or someone else will take that offer/spot.”