A Second Career.
A Lifelong Dream.
She Served, She Taught, Now She’s Ready to Care: Chandra Rambo’s Next Chapter
Through Carteret Community College’s new Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program, a Navy veteran and retired civil service professional is turning a childhood passion for healthcare into her next career.
For some, retirement marks the end of a career. For Carteret Community College student Chandra Rambo, it has become the beginning of an entirely new one.
After serving in the United States Navy, earning a graduate degree in education, and building a successful career in military education and civil service, Rambo could have chosen to slow down. Instead, she decided it was time to pursue a dream that had remained with her since childhood: working in healthcare.
Now, through Carteret Community College’s newly introduced Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program, Rambo is among the students taking advantage of an exciting opportunity that combines classroom instruction with paid, hands-on training at Carteret Health Care.
The new apprenticeship represents another step in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways, supporting student success, and partnering with local healthcare employers to address workforce needs in Carteret County.
“For me, it is finally achieving a dream that I have had since I was a little girl with a toy stethoscope and doctor’s bag,” Rambo shared.
A New Beginning Inspired by a Lifelong Dream
Rambo’s interest in healthcare began long before she enrolled at Carteret Community College. After graduating from high school, she joined the U.S. Navy with hopes of becoming a Hospital Corpsman. However, a lengthy waiting list led her in a different direction.
Following her military service, she earned a graduate degree in education and went on to build a successful career in military education and civil service. Although she enjoyed her work, her desire to enter the medical field never disappeared.
When retirement presented an opportunity to pursue something new, Rambo saw Carteret’s Medical Assisting program as the perfect chance to revisit that dream.
Her journey has not been without challenges. Earlier in her educational career, Rambo balanced the responsibilities of active-duty military service and raising a child as a single mother while working toward her bachelor’s degree. At a time when remote learning was just becoming more accessible, she took advantage of that opportunity to continue her education.
Now, years later, her determination to learn and grow remains just as strong.
“I am coming to this job field later in life after having already experienced significant career success, but it is nice to know that I can still learn and apply entirely new skill sets,” Rambo said.
Her story is a reminder that career goals do not have an expiration date and that a new beginning can be just as meaningful as the accomplishments that came before it.
Earning, Learning, and Preparing for the Future
The newly introduced Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program is an exciting addition to Carteret Community College’s growing workforce development initiatives. Developed in partnership with Carteret Health Care, the program creates a pathway for students to receive classroom instruction while earning a paycheck and gaining valuable experience in a professional healthcare setting.
Sharon King, Director of Carteret Works, emphasized that the new apprenticeship reflects the college’s continued commitment to expanding career opportunities for students, strengthening partnerships with local healthcare providers, and preparing the next generation of skilled healthcare professionals in Carteret County.
“The Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program grew out of our ongoing partnership with Carteret Health Care and our shared commitment to addressing healthcare workforce shortages in Carteret County,” King explained.
Students participating in the apprenticeship complete the same academic requirements as those enrolled in Carteret’s traditional Medical Assisting program while also working part-time at Carteret Health Care. Their work schedules are coordinated around classroom and clinical requirements, ensuring their education remains a priority.
The program follows a progressive training model, allowing students to begin with administrative responsibilities such as patient registration and scheduling. As they advance through their coursework and demonstrate competency, they gradually transition into additional responsibilities, including clinical skills.
For Rambo, the opportunity to participate in an apprenticeship offered something beyond traditional classroom instruction: the ability to gain real-world experience while continuing her education.
Before discovering the apprenticeship opportunity, she had considered finding part-time employment in retail or food service while attending school. Instead, the program allows her to work in healthcare, gaining relevant experience while preparing for her next career.
“The apprenticeship gives me a chance to work part time while also learning the real-world applications of what I am getting in the classroom,” Rambo explained.
Through her experience, Rambo is gaining valuable insight into how different medical practices operate, the responsibilities of healthcare professionals, and the types of work environments where she hopes to build her future career.
“By learning how different medical practices operate and seeing the work climate they create, I feel like I will not be blindly applying to every job advertised without any understanding of what I will be getting into,” she said.
She is also developing experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems, a skill she believes will be especially beneficial when transitioning into a full-time medical assisting position.
By becoming familiar with these systems during her apprenticeship, Rambo is gaining practical knowledge that can help her feel more prepared and confident when entering the healthcare workforce.
Investing in Local Talent and Strengthening Healthcare
While apprenticeships provide students with valuable educational and professional opportunities, their impact extends beyond the classroom and workplace.
By connecting students with local employers, Carteret Community College is helping develop a stronger pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals who understand the needs of the communities they serve.
Samantha Bryant, Rambo’s mentor, believes investing in local talent is essential to addressing workforce challenges, creating career opportunities, and improving patient care.
“I believe it is important because it helps address staffing shortages, creates job opportunities, and improves the quality of patient care,” Bryant shared. “Hiring and training local people builds trust between healthcare workers and the community because they understand the needs and challenges of the people they serve.”
Bryant also emphasized that apprenticeship programs do more than prepare students for their first healthcare positions. They create opportunities for continued professional development, employee retention, and long-term career growth.
“Apprenticeship programs support employee retention by giving workers hands-on experience, guidance, and opportunities to learn new skills,” Bryant explained. “They help employees advance their careers by preparing them for higher positions and greater responsibilities.”
For healthcare organizations, these partnerships provide an opportunity to invest in individuals who are developing the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in the profession.
King emphasized that the college’s goal was to create a program that benefits both students and employers while strengthening the local workforce.
“Students gain valuable workplace experience, financial support, and a direct connection to employment, while healthcare providers have an opportunity to develop skilled employees who are trained to meet their specific workforce needs,” King said.
Through this partnership, Carteret Community College and Carteret Health Care are creating meaningful opportunities for students while helping address the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals throughout Carteret County.
Finding Support and Discovering New Possibilities at Carteret
For Rambo, returning to college has also provided an opportunity to discover the wide range of career pathways and resources available at Carteret Community College.
She credits the Medical Assisting faculty with helping her navigate the application process and providing guidance when she needed additional information.
Rambo has also connected with Carteret Works, the college’s workforce development initiative that helps connect students with apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
Her experience has reinforced her belief that individuals considering a career change should explore the opportunities available through their local community college.
“There is so much variety in the career path programs offered,” she said.
For students who may feel discouraged by challenges during the enrollment process or uncertain about returning to school, Rambo offers encouragement based on her own experience.
“Don’t give up. The application process can be frustrating, but there are people at CCC who want to help you succeed and who know exactly how to navigate whatever challenge you are facing.”
Her journey reflects Carteret Community College’s commitment to providing accessible educational opportunities for students at every stage of life, whether they are beginning their first career, seeking advancement, or exploring an entirely new professional path.
A Future Rooted in Purpose and Patient Care
As Rambo looks toward completing the program and earning her medical assisting certification, she hopes the apprenticeship will open the door to a full-time position at one of the medical offices where she receives training.
For her, one of the greatest advantages of the experience is the opportunity to become familiar with potential workplaces, build professional relationships, and better understand the healthcare environment before beginning a new career.
She is also keeping an open mind about where her journey might lead.
Although she has considered pursuing a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential in the future, she is equally excited about the possibility of building a fulfilling career as a medical assistant.
“If I love being a medical assistant as much as I think I will, I might just continue with that until I feel ready to fully retire,” she shared.
Having experienced moments of uncertainty and discomfort as a patient herself, Rambo understands the difference that calm, knowledgeable, and compassionate healthcare professionals can make. She hopes to bring those same qualities to the patients and families she will serve.
Her journey represents more than a career change. It is an opportunity to turn a childhood ambition into a meaningful profession while continuing a lifelong commitment to learning and personal growth.
Through newly introduced opportunities like the Medical Assisting Apprenticeship Program, Carteret Community College is helping students like Rambo recognize that it is never too late to pursue a new goal, develop new skills, or build a future in healthcare.
At the same time, the college’s partnership with Carteret Health Care demonstrates how education and industry can work together to create opportunities for students while supporting the long-term needs of the local healthcare workforce.
And for those considering their own next chapter, Rambo has a simple suggestion:
“Anyone who thinks they might want to learn something new should look into taking a campus tour; this school has a lot going on!”
Interested in starting a career in healthcare? Explore the Medical Assisting program and apprenticeship opportunities available through Carteret Community College and discover how your next chapter could begin at Carteret.
