The profession of personal care
Student of the Week: Darlenna Galvan
Darlenna Galvan already has a bachelor’s degree in the field of rehab but now, she travels to STC’s Nursing and Allied Health Campus to further her education and chase her priorities.
“I think this field is important especially since I’m a first-generation college student,” Galvan said. “It’s important to educate ourselves and we also educate the community in this field.”
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at STC is a two-year program that prepares individuals for careers as Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants (COTA).
“It’s a real small class so the teachers are more one on one with us,” Galvan said. “We’re also able to practice with students and simulated patients. Once you get into the real world our employers are going to expect us to already know how to do it.”
Galvan said her mother’s words on education always stuck with her.
“My mom always says education is the one thing they can’t take away from you,” Galvan said. “You can always advance with that education, regardless of where you are, what you’re doing, what state you live in.”
Coming from the eastern part of the Rio Grande Valley, in Cameron County, Galvan has to make the daily trip to STC’s Nursing and Allied Health Campus in McAllen for her classes.
“I’m from Brownsville so I do have to commute,” Galvan said. “It’s the only school that offers this program in the Valley so it’s important, the closest program is Corpus Christi.”
“My sister has a disability and my dad does too so I know the importance of therapy and independence and how that impacts a person,” Galvan said. “So being able to assist someone into becoming independent is really important to me.”
Her upbringing drove her to pursue the field of rehab.
“My sister has a disability and my dad does too so I know the importance of therapy and independence and how that impacts a person,” Galvan said. “So being able to assist someone into becoming independent is really important to me.”
With a head start in the field, Galvan wanted to expand her education to align with her future goals.
“I do have my bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services so I came back to get this degree which is really important to me,” Galvan said. “I do eventually maybe want to get my master’s degree but I really want to focus on this – being one-on-one with patients is important to me.”
Galvan’s message to prospective and fellow students is to look for the light at the end of the tunnel during tough times during the course.
“You can do anything that you set your mind to and to always look ahead, even if there’s darker days or you don’t really feel like studying,” Galvan said. “There’s always something to look forward to at the end of the road, a degree.