DISCUSSIONS

Seeking advice and suggestions.

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Anonymous

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Seeking advice and suggestions.

Hello, and good day.

I am a 33-year-old mother of two young boys, ages eleven and three, who have just received our green cards and social security numbers. We will be relocating to Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, with family members in July 2023. We are new to the United States of America and would like to connect with others who are familiar with the American system. I am a teacher in Saint Lucia with an associate degree in teacher education, but when I migrate, I want to change careers and work in the dental field. I would also like to start working as soon as possible. I am willing to work any job until I am able to settle down. I apologize for my confusion or ignorance about where to begin or what to do. Please advise.

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  1. Karen Clark

    Lehigh Valley has a dental assisting school about an hour away from Tobyhanna. They have day and night classes available. The Mall is nearby, so there should be retailers hiring where you can work around your class schedule. You can check out the school online and see if it fits your needs to go into the dental field.

  2. Anonymous

    Greatly appreciated. I will definitely check it out.

  3. BeaBoss979975

    Welcome!

  4. Mare Levine

    Adding onto what Karen said, it looks like Northampton Community College is about 40-45 minutes away. They have an International Students area on their website that looks helpful. I don't know if you will need any prerequisites for dental assisting, but they might be able to help: https://www.northampton.edu/admissions/international-students.htm

    As Bea said, welcome! I know it must be stressful to relocate to a new country, be a mother, and change careers, but we're cheering you on. You have a good plan, and with the support of family, your community, and FGB (FairyGodBoss), we know you will achieve it.

  5. Anonymous

    I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone on this platform for the amazing advice and support. These past few weeks have been a rollercoaster as I prepare to migrate, and your help has been invaluable in making this transition smoother.

    Thank you also for sharing the dental school information with me. I am excited to check out their programs on their website and explore the opportunities available to me. Your kindness and generosity have been truly inspiring, and I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done.

    Thanks again!

  6. Paula

    Welcome to Northeast Pennsylvania! Not sure what you'd like to do in the Dental Field, but Benco Dental is a great employer and isn't far from Tobyhanna.

  7. Anonymous

    Thank you. Since I have no certifications as yet, I want to start with the basics. So I aim to start as a dental assistant volunteer or receptionist, or any job I can find while gaining certification. Then, I hope to advance to a dental hygienist in the future. I will be checking out Benco Dental for sure. Thank you.

  8. Anonymous

    Check out the area's local workforce solutions center. Sometimes they will have programs that will assist with free or low cost training, degrees, certifications in various career fields. While you are working on completing the program you may want to see if you can work in a dental office as a receptionist or any position that doesn't require you to have completed the degree/certification for it....

  9. Jamie Martin, ACC

    I'm going to ditto Frankie on the work in a dental office while working towards you training. It's a great way to understand the environment and learn on the job through simply being in the space. And definitely let them know that you are looking to do more than your current role - if they are a good employer they will offer some thoughts on how to get to where you want to be and support you along the way.

  10. Anonymous

    Thank you.

  11. Anonymous

    Thank you. I will do so.

  12. C Ann

    Contact the local Unemployment Center. They can usually assist with finding any training you need as well as finding employment. There are a lot of different training programs that are offered, several of which may be paid by unemployment.

  13. Anonymous

    Thank you I will do so.

  14. Ida McCarty

    There is a WIOA job training program that the federal government offers for training.

  15. Anonymous

    That would be great. I will do some more research to see if I qualify. Thank you.

  16. Barbara McKee

    Welcome to PA! I wish you all the best, there are some great ideas here!

  17. Anonymous

    Yes indeed. I am very grateful.

  18. Changemaker292136

    Dental offices are small. Culture of the office almost matters more because the skills can be taught. Are you looking for front or back office? Some states require certificates for back office. When I am reviewing resume's, I quickly toss out those without dental experience. Truth be told, my best front desk employees I have now all started in retail, and all of them were walk ins. May I suggest you stop in to the offices that are near you that are hiring with your resume, and let them see your winning and exciting smile. Convince them that working in the dental field is your dream. FYI, the person at the front desk may be the key in getting you set up with the hiring manager. Be yourself and someone they would want to work with.

  19. Anonymous

    I will do so. Thank you.

  20. Francoise Thimon

    Welcome to the US and PA. you have so many options, find out what exactly, in the Dental field you are interested in and send resumes, best bet is to go to Dental offices around you and inquire on their needs. Good luck!

  21. Anonymous

    Thank you. Will do so.

  22. Anonymous

    I just came to say: Congratulations ? on your green card approval. And to wish you and your family the best of luck!

    I have not knowledge in the dental field particularly, but I believe you can start by looking for what certifications are required for you to work in that area, while you're going back to school. You're young and have the motivation, dream big!

  23. Anonymous

    Thank you.

  24. surfnwrite

    I went to camp in Tobyhanna. Stunning views in the Poconos.

  25. Anonymous

    Nice.

  26. Anonymous

    I grew up in the area! I haven't lived there in about 20 years. If you need a sale on winter jackets, I recommend the Crossings Outlets. Best of luck.

  27. Anonymous

    Awesome! I will be needing them for sure. I will check it out. Thank you.

  28. Marcia Smith

    I would see if there is a dental school in your area - and they often have career placement help for graduates. Best of luck to you and your family with your immigration process - it can be grueling!

  29. Anonymous

    Ok noted with thanks. I will check.

  30. Terri Radomski

    I visited Saint Lucia many years ago when I was 17. Beautiful place.

    Welcome to the USA. Hope your dreams come true.

  31. Anonymous

    Yes, indeed it is beautiful. Thank you.

  32. Lori Laurito Betz

    I’m a little late to this post but…first of all, welcome!!

    Second, I’m in northeast PA but south of Tobyhanna (the Lehigh Valley) so it’s wild to come here and see people talking about the Crossings (the outlet mall that was mentioned) and Northampton Community College (NCC), which is literally 10 minutes from me. I would wholeheartedly recommend NCC-I got an Associates degree from them a long time ago. It ended up taking me a long way into my career and was a great foundation for my Bachelor’s many years later. Also they have a great reputation for health careers (nursing, radiology, dental, etc). A couple of things to keep in mind though: I know some of the programs are competitive (like Radiology) in that you’d need to complete your general education classes first and apply specifically to the program you want; they only take so many (like radiology only take 30 new applicants into their program). The other thing is, someone said Tobyhanna is only 40-45 minutes from NCC, but that’s based on distance only. I know there can be a LOT of traffic on the highways between here and there which would make it longer than that, plus there’s winter weather to consider. I don’t know if there’s any way to live a little bit closer? BUT-it is a great school. I wish all the best to you and your sons!!

  33. Anonymous

    I am very grateful to you. Thank you.

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