Hello everyone!!
My name is Irena Shlomov and I am a dental hygiene student at New York City College of Technology. Here I would like to share a little bit about my experience in the dental hygiene program and the process of finally selecting my career path. I obtained an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences major. I was not sure what major I wanted to apply for and that is when I started looking into different majors and career paths. I felt frustrated by the variety of fields which I had an interest in and by the fact that I was not able to make a decision which I would be totally satisfied with. That is when my sister began telling me about the dental hygiene program, which I had not been familiar with before the discussion. I started looking into different colleges and curriculums, and thought dental hygiene could be a profession that I would like. so, I decided to give it a try.
When I was accepted to the program, I could not believe it! It was a challenge to maintain a high GPA, but worth it, because I was accepted into a program that so many students apply for, and only a few get in. I felt accomplished and motivated to keep going until the end. The first time I walked into the clinic and had my first experience with a patient, I immediately knew that I had made the best decision of my life. I was very excited about what was to come, and now I am here, and I love what I do. I love all the work and dedication that it takes to become a dental hygiene professional, and, if I had to choose again, I would do it all over again.
Becoming a dental hygienist has been a completely life-changing experience for me. I am very grateful for all the challenges and struggles I have faced throughout this whole experience because it has made me a much stronger individual. It has given me a clearer vision of the professional I strive to become. As a personal and professional goal, I hope to make a positive change in the lives of my patients, and I hope to inspire others to always follow what makes them happy!
