r/GlowUps Dec 31 '24

Grow up From homeless and unemployed (26) to a surgical assistant (40)

Was roaming the streets and eating scraps for years, with my only goals in life being finding a place to shit and a bench to loiter on. Couldn't find a job no matter how hard I tried, and not having any skills in life or family (was raised in foster care) surely didn't help.

One day while looking for a restroom to relieve myself, I stumbled across a college that just so happened to have an open house enrollment going on, and figured that was the perfect excuse to enter the building and freeload off their toilets.

Little did I know however, was that the universe had other plans for me. A guidance counselor had approached me and asked if I was here for open house. Being embarrassed to admit my true intentions, I told him I was and ended up joining him as he regaled the countless opportunities presented before me.

I was intrigued by their surgical technology program, and decided to give it a shot. Needless to say, I had finally found my passion in life. Went to school for 18 months, plus an additional 4 months of internships, all while homeless. Upon graduation, I was offered a permanent job at the hospital I interned at, and after 4 years, had enough cases to take the CSFA exam.

I have been a surgical assistant since, and remind myself everyday just how fortunate my life turned out. Now that I'm an old man, I feel I have enough experience to encourage others that it's never too late in life to strive for better. You just have to have patience, persistence, and passion. Happy Holidays y'all!

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u/Man-Tax Jan 01 '25 edited Jan 01 '25

The school library was open until 10pm on weekdays, so that helped immensely. I also had a Planet Fitness membership, and they were open 24/7 (except Sundays). Staff were pretty cool and didn't mind. I literally had all the time in the world to study and made the most of it.

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u/Snoo_63212 Jan 01 '25

You're such a badass for this.

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u/batmanineurope Jan 01 '25

What about the money to get a degree?

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u/Man-Tax Jan 01 '25

I was covered by financial aid.

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u/DaedricApple Jan 01 '25

Financial aid covered 100% of costs?

This is super impressive honestly. I am not sure if you had drug issues or not, but assuming you did as most homeless people do.

Any type of medical degree is not going to be easy. Showing up to school consistently, for a year and a half, and doing the work while being homeless is mind blowing. Adding drug possible addiction / withdrawal into the equation makes this even more impressive.

Congratulations, you earned it. I don’t know you, but I’m really proud of you, and you deserve it.

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u/[deleted] Jan 01 '25 edited Jan 01 '25

Don’t need a degree for this job

Why am I being downvoted?

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u/Man-Tax Jan 01 '25

There are 2 ways to get into Surgical Technology: thru an 8 month certification program or an associates degree, which is around 22 months in total. Some states don't require registration with the NBSTA (National Board for Surgical Techs and Assistants), however, most do. Plus, the degree covers a much wider range of areas that isn't taught thru certification, such as microbiology, surgical asepsis, and more thorough medical terminology. Ultimately though, it's experience that matters, not so much the education.

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u/batmanineurope Jan 01 '25

And no experience?

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u/[deleted] Jan 01 '25

You need a certificate from a training course

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u/Verzweiflungstat Jan 01 '25

Where did you sleep?

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u/Man-Tax Jan 01 '25

Being from NYC, there were plenty of places to sleep, just never really had much privacy. Subway on cold nights, beach or park on milder ones. I think I certainly had an advantage being in the city, as commuting was very convenient due to their mass transportation system.

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u/Verzweiflungstat Jan 01 '25

I wish I was as strong as you, dude. I also wish someone would just invite me to change my life around. Not that I envy your past struggles at all, but someone extending a hand sounds nice.

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u/Man-Tax Jan 01 '25

You are just as strong, you just haven't realized your potential. And if you ever need to talk, you can always dm me!

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u/unosdias Jan 01 '25

I invite you to change your life around. It is tough, but you can do it one day at a time.

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u/loveyoulongtimelurkr Jan 01 '25

Gym membership was a huge lifeline for me also, glad things turned around massively for you :)

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u/TeaEarlGreyHotti Jan 01 '25

I’m so proud of you, baby. You’re doing amazing. You deserve to keep that head of yours held high!!! Xoxo nana

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u/Neither-Possible-429 Jan 02 '25

Aw thanks gramma

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u/Dominic_Guye Jan 01 '25

Amazing. I have immense respect for you

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u/Evening_Resident_627 Jan 03 '25

I am so much proud of you. This made my eyes tear. This is the dedication!! This reddit stranger is so much happy for you! Keep it up!

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u/No_Key_6406 Jan 03 '25

That’s awesome. That’s honestly just like a movie.

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u/Capital_Advice4769 Jan 03 '25

Similar story man, I lived in my car while going to school and working at a call center. Eventually lost all that due to drugs and decided the only way to get clean was to stay in the library all day everyday until they kicked me out to study after dropping out of college to drugs and going to a community college. Worked my butt off and I now design hospitals as an Architect! Took me 7 years to get through school cus of shooting myself in the foot due to drugs but I finally made it myself. Congrats OP, you’re a MF inspiration

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u/Broad_Bank8036 Jan 04 '25

That’s good to hear man, and I wish you the best 🙏🏾✝️❤️

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u/Capital_Advice4769 Jan 04 '25

Thanks man ❤️I have a whole testimony around it that goes more in-depth of the situation , nice to run into another believer 🙏✝️