Dakota Stamant

Dakota Stamant

I initially chose to get my degree in Surgical Technology because I’ve always watched and enjoyed surgical shows. I knew they were different from working in real life, but they gave me the initiative to try. Being a single mother of two, my kids were the biggest inspiration for going back to school. I knew that I wanted them to have everything that I didn’t. My family and friends were amazing and so helpful when I decided to start classes at Herzing.

After the first surgery I scrubbed in on, I knew that I had made the right decision coming here. I was so comfortable and felt like I was exactly where I wanted to be. The professors at Herzing are truly rooting for you and always pushing you to be the absolute best. Sometimes that push and encouragement are what you need on days when you might need some extra help completing your assignments. My labs were so helpful in preparing me for my future career — Professor Eaglin made sure of that!

After graduation, I’ll be continuing my career at Ochsner as a Surgical Technician. I plan to go back to school for my Bachelor’s Degree and possibly apply to become a Physician Assistant in the future.

My advice to current students is to give it your all! Succeeding in your career is knowing your fundamentals. In my case, this includes classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and surgical tech. Your teachers will be there for you and help every step of the way. They can be tough, but it’s all out of love and preparation for the real world. I couldn’t be happier with the professors that helped in this journey!