Kari Poore, '17

Getting More Than One Degree

The College works to fit your schedule, too. It will accommodate what you need.
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When Kari Poore was a student at Clyde High School, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but did not want go into the “hands on” type. Her journey to this career began as a College Credit Plus student through Tiffin University. While attending Clyde High School, Kari earned college credit from Tiffin University. However, after graduating in 2015, she decided to come to Terra State Community College. “I’m a homebody,” Kari says. “Terra State is close to home, financially affordable and allowed me to continue to work part-time while attending school. It was also nice that all of my credits from Tiffin University transferred easily.”

Once on campus, Kari began her trek to a medical career. “I initially started with Health Information Technology (HIT),” she says. “I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, but I did not want to physically touch people.” In May 2017, Kari received her degree in Health Information Technology, but her education did not stop there. She decided to return to Terra State to earn a Medical Scribe Certificate. “I only need two classes to get my certificate because of my HIT degree,” she says. “Terrie Hopkins (Coordinator of Medical Assisting/Phlebotomy Certificate) steered me to get a Medical Assisting Certificate, too, because it would make me more attractive to potential employers.” Kari will graduate in May 2019 with both certificates.

Kari truly enjoys her time at Terra State. “Everyone at Terra State has been great,” she says. “Terri Hopkins and Amy Ochier (Medical Assisting Instructor) would go out of their way to answer questions and even go beyond the educational stand point.” Kari also takes advantage of activities on campus, too. “I am currently the President of the Medical Assisting Student Organization (MASO) and was a member of the Health Information Technology Student Organization. This has helped me with my communications skills. You can be involved or not involved at all at Terra State. I really like the options you have here.”

If you are considering going back to college, Kari says, “You are never too old. Terra State offers many certificates if you do not want to get into a degree. The College works to fit your schedule, too. It will accommodate what you need. Plus, if you want to go on for a four-year degree, it is a great way to save on your general requirement classes.”