Courtney Brooks Overcomes Challenges to Succeed in OFTC’s Sonography Program
OFTC – It’s surreal to think that seven years ago, Courtney Brooks classified herself as “the poster child for how not to succeed in life.” Now, she’s about to enter her final semester of Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s (OFTC) Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program.
After graduating high school in 2014, Brooks learned some tough but valuable lessons.
“I moved to a college town and my education was my least priority,” Brooks said. “For the next six years, life tossed me around a little and I found out the hard way that you can’t go through life being a bad person and expecting others to clean up your messes along the way.”
Through a series of what Brooks believes to be divine interventions, she began to see her life for what it had become and completely changed directions. She hasn’t looked back since.
An Environment for Success
Determined to turn her life around, Brooks made the decision to return to college so she could pursue a career that would allow her to provide for herself and her growing family. At the time, she had a four-year old son and was pregnant with her second.
“I did some research and looked into the programs OFTC offered,” Brooks said. “I adore baby ultrasound pictures and I think that’s what first drew me to the program. It was the most convenient, affordable, and closest college near me, and at the time – that’s all that mattered.”
OFTC also offered the flexibility Brooks needed as a working mom. She started taking her required prerequisite courses one at a time while working full-time. She was accepted into the six-semester sonography program in the fall of 2023, four semesters after she started taking her first class.
“It normally doesn’t take students as long as it took me, but I had to go to school at a pace that would allow me to work and be a mom,” Brooks said. “Your circumstances matter – do what is best for you and your family.”
Brooks chose OFTC because it was convenient to her circumstances, but looking back she sees now that she got so much more.
“Knowing what I know now about OFTC, I would choose this college even with the most ideal circumstances at home,” she shared. “I needed convenience, but I got so much more than that.”
Quality Training
After being accepted into the DMS program, Brooks still faced challenges. Becoming a sonographer requires much commitment and determination; but Brooks was prepared to put forth the effort needed to succeed.
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘What I lack in natural ability, I will make up for in discipline; I will practice,’ Brooks said. “I am far from the best. I am not the smartest. I am not the best scanner in the class, and I don’t make the highest test grades. But I am determined, and I am so excited.”
Not only is she determined, but Brooks feels prepared because of the quality of instruction she’s received.
“Of all the important lessons and lectures our instructors have taught us, the most important thing we’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter who it is or what their history, you treat every patient like they’re your family,” Brooks said.
“It doesn’t matter if we are having a bad day or if something is ‘not our job,’ we do it anyway,” she added. “I trust myself to take care of my patients because my instructors have taught us the correct way to do it.”
Supportive Surroundings
OFTC’s environment has really played a major role in Brooks’ success. She believes in the education she’s receiving and hopes others will consider taking advantage of the amazing resources that have helped her along the way.
“There are so many programs that assist with things like finances to even get to school and eat lunch for the day and help with daycare until you graduate,” Brooks said.
She feels like the people at OFTC have gone above and beyond to help her navigate through challenges. “There’s an entire campus full of counselors, advisors, and instructors that want to see the students succeed,” she said. “They will help you navigate the difficult situations that keep most students from even trying to earn their degree.”
“I am so thankful for OFTC and the time they have invested into my future, and my kids’ futures,” Brooks shared. “They saw potential in me before I was able to see it in myself. They pushed me to keep going after I had to withdraw from a class. They knew me by name.”
“I needed to be heard and I needed people who would pick me up when I fell, and that’s what I got,” she said.
A Brighter Future
As Brooks moves ahead into her final semester, she and her classmates will spend five days a week at local clinical sites, practicing the skills they’ve learned while gaining practical in-field experience.
Brooks plans to become registered in abdomen and OB/GYN after graduation and become employed in a hospital setting before pursuing a position in an OB/GYN office setting.
“Seven years ago, I never imagined I would be where I am today,” Brooks said. “I had no plan. Today, I’m confident that I will become a great sonographer.”
“OFTC played such a major role in helping me earn a degree that will allow me to provide for my family,” she added. “I would choose OFTC over and over again.”
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OFTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.
