Concorde Staff
Back in 2013, Abigail Rodriguez was a year out of high school and with a brand new baby. She knew she needed to get into a career fast to provide for her newborn. An internet search led her to Concorde's campus in her hometown of Memphis, TN and, eventually, a thriving career in radiologic technology.
"During my appointment, my admission rep told me he thought I'd be a great fit for the rad tech program," Rodriguez said. "I had good grades coming out of high school, and he said it was one of their top programs."
Early experience with her baby also had a lasting effect on Rodriguez. Her baby suffered a fractured femur in an accident. So, Rodriguez suddenly found herself spending a lot of time around an X-ray machine and radiologic technology.
"I saw what it was like," she said. "I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I didn't want to be around patients. It was the perfect career for me, and it's been wonderful."
Her Concorde experience in Radiologic Technology
Rodriguez thrived in the Radiologic Technology program at Concorde Memphis campus. She loved her classes and especially appreciated her instructors.
"They were always there when you needed them," she said.
She said she especially was enamored with a machine they had in the Radiologic Technology lab that showed images of entire bones, inside and out. She also enjoyed working with the X-ray machine.
"I just enjoyed everything about the program," she said. "I enjoyed it a lot."
Rodriguez started the Radiologic Technology program in August of 2013. She graduated with honors in May of 2015.
From clinical to a career in Radiologic Technology
Like all Concorde rad tech students, Rodriguez completed an externship at the end of her program.
"It was very helpful," she said. "I met a lot of people. I made a lot of connections. You found out what you really liked (in the field)."
Rodriguez said she found she most enjoyed working in the operating room and/or trauma units in a hospital setting.
She said she took her board exams three days after graduation and was hired by her extern site two weeks after that.
Today, Rodriguez works in trauma X-ray at Regional One Health.
"It's very different than any other hospital," she said. "I worked there as a PRN at first. This May, I was hired in interventional radiology. It's very different from X-ray."
"I enjoy it a lot. I love learning new things."
What she liked about Concorde's Radiologic Technology program
Rodriguez said Concorde was able to provide what other radiologic technician schools couldn't.
"What I liked about Concorde is that it went straight to the point," Rodriguez said. "I finished in two years. Another school would've taken four years. I had a baby and needed to get out and get in a good career. I was able to do that at Concorde."
"It was wonderful."
*Abigail Rodriguez is NOT featured in the above photo.
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