Hello, my name is Sarah Merrill and I graduated from Little Elm High School in February of 2019. During my first semester of senior year, I learned about Lobo Academy, a program used to help kids catch up on their credits, or in some cases allow students to accelerate through classes to graduate early. I was one of those students who was interested in finishing high school early.
After applying and interviewing, I was accepted into the program. After a month of hard work and perseverance, I finished the rest of the required classes I needed to graduate. I was grateful for this opportunity through LEHS because it afforded me the opportunity to explore different career options that would help me focus on a major in college.
In the fall of 2019, I began my studies at Collin College, still unsure of what I wanted I wanted to do as a career. I chose to pursue an associate degree in science and enrolled in courses like math and economics. Then COVID hit midway during my second semester, and like many college students, I had to make a swift adjustment to my college learning experience.
Collin College’s Technical Campus opened in the fall of 2020, which caught my interest. It was then when I discovered the Biomedical Equipment Technology (BMET) program. A BMET’s job is to ensure that medical equipment is working properly whether that be through preventive maintenance or answering a service call. Something that I really like about this career is that it can lead to many different paths such as radiology, anesthesiology, cybersecurity, information technology (IT) or becoming a department supervisor, manager, or director.
My class of six are the pioneers of this program. Our classes were small, primarily due to the pandemic, but needless to say it has been a great experience. We each have a designated desk and workbench in the lab, along with our own sets of tools. I think one of the coolest things was getting to see a big, mostly empty room gradually turn into a compact hospital. There’s a makeshift intensive care unit, operating room, and a section for natal/birthing.
I was introduced to the vast range of technical health care topics when a few of my classmates and I attended the MD Expo in Dallas. I was able to interact with a variety health care professionals who specialize in medical technology. It was exciting to learn from them.
I am proud to say that in the spring of 2022, I will be one of the first graduates with an Associate of Applied Science in Biomedical Equipment Technology from Collin College’s Technical Campus. I look forward to seeing where this career will take me.
As I reflect on my journey this far, it brings me back to LEHS. Timing is everything in life. I am certain that if it wasn’t for the opportunity to accelerate my learning, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and for that I am grateful to Little Elm ISD for allowing me to be engaged, equipped, and empowered to realize my full potential.
A version of this story will be published in the August edition of the Little Elm ISD Magazine. This story was published with permission from the district.