When Brooklyn enrolled in the Surgical Technology program at Minnesota West, she knew it would be tough. What she didn’t anticipate was balancing school, clinicals, a daily commute, and a pregnancy. With hard work and community support, Brooklyn made it happen.
Heading into her second year of the program, Brooklyn discovered she was pregnant and due in
April. Balancing school, clinical rotations, work, and preparing for motherhood was no easy task. The demands of her clinical site required a daily two-hour commute, and the financial strain of being unable to work as much during a difficult first trimester weighed heavily on her.
Thankfully, with strong family support and personal dedication, Brooklyn pressed forward. Through the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council’s (PIC) WIOA Adult Program, she received tuition assistance that helped ease the financial burden. This support allowed her to focus on her education and future career without the added stress of financial strain.
“I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage my school and workload,” Brooklyn shared. “The
grant from Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council took away my financial burden and allowed me to dedicate more time to my studies.”
Her hard work and perseverance paid off. In the spring of 2024, Brooklyn graduated with High Honors, earning her Associate of Applied Science degree. Shortly after, she passed her certification exam and officially became a Certified Surgical Technologist. Today, she’s proudly employed at Sanford Health in Worthington, MN, bringing care and skill to every procedure she supports.
We are incredibly proud of Brooklyn’s accomplishments and honored to have played a small part in her journey. Her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community support.
Congratulations, Brooklyn!