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Megan Shepherd

Surgical Technology program

The next time you’re watching your favorite TV show, take note: Your viewing habits just might steer you toward a career.

In Megan Shepherd’s case, her commitment to “Grey’s Anatomy” helped lead her to the Surgical Technology program at �Ӱ�������. Shepherd, 31, and her husband moved to �Ӱ������� four years ago with their two young daughters. After years working in administrative jobs, she was ready for something new and decided the medical field was where she wanted to be.

“I had to Google what a surg tech was because I didn’t even know that was a job,” she said. “The craziest experience I’ve ever (had) is being accepted into this program. It’s the hardest, most rewarding thing that I’ve done to date.”

Shepherd enjoys having classes at PCC’s Teaching and Learning Center at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital because it’s a real-world hospital environment and students are among working doctors, nurses and surgical technologists.

With a busy family and work life, time management can be a challenge.

“Being a nontraditional student has its perks and has some downside to it,” she said. “My children are in school, and my husband is, too, so we all put on our backpacks the first week and we all headed off to different places of learning.

“There have been some late nights and early mornings, but there has been nothing so far that has told me this isn’t worth it. I am so grateful and thankful for the experience.”

Shepherd praised her instructors as “the most amazing professors I’ve had so far. I can see their heart and their passion for us to know all the ins and outs.”

While she has a professional goal to work in �Ӱ������� or Colorado Springs after graduation, it’s a personal goal that matters more.

“I want my kids to be proud of me and say, ‘That’s my mom’ – and to know it doesn’t matter your age or how long you’ve been in or out of school, you can still do it.”