Miriam Paz

My journey to success has not been easy, but it has been rewarding every step of the way.

When I first entered the healthcare field, I had no prior experience. However, a local dental office took a chance on me and offered me a position as a verification specialist. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to expand my skills as a Human Resources Coordinator. I created training manuals and developed procedures tailored to my office and management team's preferences, which is where my passion for HR truly took root. Building what we called a "Fire Team" drove my commitment to growth—a dedication that paid off when our office achieved a full year with zero employee turnover. During this time, I also began hiring students from The College of Health Care Professions and speaking to dental assistant classes about professional expectations, not knowing where those connections would lead three years down the road.

As time went on, I transitioned into the physical therapy field to learn new practices, expectations, and organizational structures. Eight months into that role, I was contacted by my now-director, Aleda Reyes. At first, I assumed the message was spam and ignored it. But when she reached out a second time, I decided to hear her out. The position of Career Services Advisor was intriguing; it brought together everything I had learned—and hoped to continue learning—into a single role. I took a leap of faith and went in for an interview. Meeting Mr. Cortez was intimidating yet familiar, and after meeting the team, I knew without a doubt that this was where I belonged.

Five years later, I am a Senior Career Services Advisor, continuing to advance in my role. Every day, I help students prepare for the medical field by refining their résumés, building their interview confidence, and fostering the enthusiasm they need to network as true professionals.

In the midst of this professional growth, I am also a mother raising two daughters to be independent, proud, and determined to reach their own goals. What drives me isn't just my own success, but the way my children look up to me. Knowing they are inspired enough to search for me online at school and share my students' achievements with their peers motivates me to encourage them to pursue their own goals of learning, growing, and giving back to the community.

As my career progressed, I decided to resume my college education—something I had previously put on hold to avoid taking time away from my family. My director helped me realize that pursuing my degree wasn't taking away from my children but adding value to our lives. Guidance from various leaders and close friends has kept me moving forward with complete positivity.

When life presented new financial demands, I looked for a way to increase my income without sacrificing time with my family. That led me to launch a dry-cleaning and laundry service at an affordable rate. It has been a wonderful experience helping other families free up their own time. When people ask if running a business takes time away from my kids, my answer is simple: no. If anything, it has brought us closer. They ask questions, learn valuable life skills, and we even make fun TikTok videos together.

By bringing together my life experiences and professional background, I am evolving into both an exceptional mother and a dedicated professional. While I look forward to learning from other leaders and ultimately stepping into a Human Resources Coordinator role again, for now, I will continue seeking new paths to grow and serving as a bright light for my children.