Tiffany Believes Everything Happens for a Reason

“I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason,” says Tiffany Carrera, a woman of strong Christian faith.  “I never thought I would go to college, but here I am about to graduate, and I am so excited.”

As a child, Tiffany wanted to be a surgeon. “I had a rough upbringing, though, so my dream went out the window.” Or so she thought.

Years later, a chance encounter led Tiffany to PCCC where, this month, at PCCC’s 53^rd Commencement ceremony, she will receive her Associate in Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

“This brings me close to being the surgeon I wanted to be,” says Tiffany. “It’s like my childhood dream came true.”

Tiffany became a mom when she was just a teen, and though her education was compromised, Tiffany never gave up on it.  “I knew I was smart, even if I had some weaknesses.”  

After earning her high school credential through an online school, Tiffany trained to become a certified phlebotomist. She worked in that field for eight years, but had the ambition to do more.

Encouraged by her husband, Tiffany enrolled at PCCC in 2019, while still working as a phlebotomist, but she was uncertain of her direction.  

One day, she met a patient whose sister was a nursing professor at PCCC. At her patient’s suggestion, Tiffany contacted the professor who told her about PCCC’s new Surgical Technology program. It was this chance encounter that changed her direction.

“The Surgical Tech program has been an amazing experience,” says Tiffany. “I loved it all.”
 She is especially impressed by Professor Amanda Carrasco, director of the program.

“Professor Carrasco is very down-to-earth, patient, and helpful. She meets students where they are and goes out of her way to make sure we succeed.”  

Tiffany fulfilled her clinical requirement for the program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson where she found the staff very welcoming. “They acted like teachers, working alongside us, quizzing us, and making sure we did everything right.”

In fact, the hospital offered Tiffany a full-time job contingent upon her passing the surgical technology licensing exam after graduation.

Nearing the end of her PCCC journey, the mom of three has no plans to slow down. Tiffany anticipates working at St. Joseph’s soon, and she will enter Rutgers University next Fall to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology.

She aims to eventually pursue a master’s degree towards her ultimate career goal: To become a physician’s assistant. “As a physician assistant I can specialize in orthopedic surgery and become the surgeon’s first assist. I will be able to treat patients as a doctor would, without having to sacrifice my family life.”

“PCCC has been such a great and supportive community,” says Tiffany. “Everyone here wants to help you to be the best you can be.”  In fact, she confessed to feeling a little nervous about moving on to a large university.

But no doubt, Tiffany will do as she has always done. Move forward, overcome obstacles, and succeed. Because everything happens for a reason.

By  Linda Telesco