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Serve – that鈥檚 the mission

Amber Messer | Medical Assisting Technology

As a police officer and Army veteran, Amber Messer lived life on the frontlines at home and abroad in Iraq. She thought about deploying new ways to serve people throughout her career, but those thoughts didn鈥檛 materialize until much later.

鈥淚 knew I didn’t want to continue my career as a police officer because I had been military police for seven years,鈥 said Amber.

After exiting the military in 2013, she became a mother of two and worked as a caregiver to provide for her family. That experience helped her realize she wanted to pursue a healthcare career. So she enrolled in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) program.聽聽

鈥淚 felt the care from each department,鈥 said Amber. 鈥淲hatever I needed, they were there. Someone at 糖心Vlog was always available to help.鈥

During her time at 糖心Vlog, Amber balanced single-motherhood and her studies as a full-time student to complete her mission. She graduated with a MAT degree and certificates in phlebotomy and medical office administration in 2021.

Now Amber鈥檚 back on the frontline, geared up in scrubs, and serving patients at Magnolia Primary Care in Huntsville.

鈥淚t’s just been an amazing journey,鈥 said Amber.

Cosmetology alumna Shannon McGlathery is a 36-year-old successful business owner who began her career with only a thought 鈥

鈥淚 want to do hair.鈥

McGlathery鈥檚 desire inspired her to enroll in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Salon and Spa Management program, the only associate degree cosmetology program in Madison County.

鈥淚 set out to be one of the best cosmetology students so that I could be one of the best hairstylists,鈥 said McGlathery.

By the time she graduated in 2005, McGlathery experienced several hiccups while building clientele, becoming a cosmetology instructor, and finally managing her own salon.

鈥淭here will be times you want to give up 鈥 don鈥檛,鈥 said McGlathery. 鈥淭here will be obstacles that get in your way 鈥 keep going. Know who you are and what you want in life and go for that.鈥

McGlathery said naysayers tried to discourage her from pursuing a career in haircare.

鈥淭here will always be people who don鈥檛 believe in you, but what they believe doesn鈥檛 matter,鈥 said McGlathery. 鈥淚鈥檓 a success because even through hardships I didn鈥檛 give up on myself.鈥

McGlathery said her Barbering Instructor Ben Battle helped her get through some of those challenging moments.

鈥淗e was an amazing instructor and mentor,鈥 said McGlathery. 鈥淗e was very detailed when he taught and was always encouraging.鈥

After 15 years in the industry and 9 years as the salon owner of Divine Images, McGlathery said she鈥檚 still doing what she loves most. She鈥檚 been a commissioned stylist, booth rental stylist, salon manager, cosmetology instructor, mentor, and hair product line creator.聽

鈥溙切腣log has played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of my career,鈥 said McGlathery. 鈥淎s I grew in the industry, I applied what I learned in the classroom. That鈥檚 what helped me get as far as I have come.鈥

Whatever career crosses your mind, McGlathery said, start there.

鈥淒o not allow people to tell you that your visions and dreams are not worthy,鈥 said McGlathery.