Business Management: Healthcare Practice Management Program graduate Elizabeth Pena

Lawrence resident Elizabeth Pena knew she wanted a career in the health care field, so she turned to Northern Essex.

“Because I live in Lawrence, I always heard great things about Northern Essex. I knew it was affordable, and I knew it would provide me the opportunities I needed,” she says.

After being away from college for several years, she enrolled in the Business Management: Healthcare Practice Management Program. A wife and mother of four, Elizabeth also became involved in campus life and took advantage of leadership and career development opportunities.

Elizabeth worked in the Student Success Center and was an orientation leader. She also took advantage of career workshops to gain skills in conducting a job search,
writing a resume, and improving interview skills.

All of her hard work and involvement paid off, and after graduating in May 2013 Elizabeth got a job as a patient service representative for Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. “The workshops were great. They made me a better person and a better professional. They have helped me with my current job,” she says.

About her present position, she says, “I love working with people. There is always a way to help them feel good, and to try to help them solve their problems.”

Elizabeth credits NECC for helping her break into the health care field. “Northern Essex was great. They are very dedicated to helping you succeed. They have wonderful faculty, and I made great friends and great connections. NECC opened the doors to a career in health care for me,” she adds.