A Journey Into The Medical Field
Maggie Lifferth, who was born in Utah but has had the opportunity to live in multiple states, says that her high school experience has had its highs and lows. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she lived in Nevada, where the school system implemented strict attendance and social distancing rules, leading her to take all her classes online from home. This situation made her feel isolated, and her grades suffered. After moving back to Utah two years ago, Maggie says it took a while to make friends and re-learn good study habits.
During her senior year, she’s been working her way through the Surgical Technology program at Salt Lake Community College while finishing her high school classes at Riverton and performing with their color guard team. The team performs in parades during summer, with the marching band in the fall, and competes against other schools during spring. This sport involves a lot of dance but with props like flags, rifles, and sabers. According to Maggie, it is a supportive and enjoyable environment. Maggie says it's been a long year studying and maintaining a social life, but she is excited to finally graduate from Riverton High School in May 2024.
Maggie was immediately interested when her anatomy teacher introduced her to the Surgical Tech program. She always wanted to work in the medical field but was unsure where to start. She worried about the cost of paying full tuition because she could not qualify for traditional financial aid while still in high school and figured she would have to wait a year before joining the program and starting her training. However, the Metallica scholarship proved to be a lifesaver for her. “The Metallica scholarship has helped me start my journey into the medical field early and has saved me a lot of money in the process,” she said.
Maggie says she had considered becoming a physician, but the many years of schooling seemed too daunting. She believes that working in the operating room with the surgical team, without spending years on classes and expenses, is the perfect opportunity for her.
Once she has completed the Surgical Technology program at SLCC, Maggie says she would prefer a position at a smaller surgical facility or a traveling tech position, where she could work around the country and experience all different types of people and facilities.
For those considering pursuing higher education but who may be scared or intimidated, Maggie says, “All experiences have value, and you'll never know if it's right for you unless you try.
Maggie is very thankful to the Metallica Foundation, “You have really changed the course of my life for the best. I am eternally grateful for your help in allowing me to pursue my interests,” she said.