When Mary Sanchez thought about careers, she looked for
a field that would provide a steady income. A steady income
would allow Mary to keep studying art in her spare time.
With some helpful advice from her dentist and her mother,
who's a nurse, Mary decided to become a dental hygienist.
Mary likes working in health care because it keeps her
on her toes and allows her to help people with their dental
and physical health. "Because people always need help,"
she says, "I always feel appreciated. It's a
rewarding job that way." She's worked with the
same dentist for 3 years.
When Mary started her training, she worked at a hospital-based
dental clinic to get hands-on experience. Now that she has
a permanent placement, she has a routine. Mary usually sees
8-10 patients every day, orders supplies, and maintains
the equipment.
Mary also found time for her art. Her hours were flexible
enough for her to return to school and get a Bachelor's
of Fine Arts. Mary's patients and their experiences
have even inspired some of her paintings.
"Some days, you're not in the mood to face
people," she says. "But those are the days you
probably get the most support from your patients. Sometimes,
they can lift your spirits right away!"
Mary
Sanchez
