From Stay-at-Home Mom to Sonographer: A Career 16 Years in the Making

When Raven Vallo enrolled in CNM’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) High School Equivalency program in February, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Now just seven months later, she has her GED under her belt and is working towards a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography to help support her family.

“I tried to earn my GED 16 years ago, but I didn’t feel supported and needed to deal with some other life circumstances,” she says. “This time around, I have found great community and have a clear path of where I want to go.”

In the High School Equivalency program, Raven took five-week classes in areas like language arts, science, and math to prepare for the General Education Development (GED) exam.

For Raven, the ABE program structure and instructors helped build her confidence and shift her outlook on the future.

“This program was so important because it gave me the space and support to get on track to start a new life,” she says. “Every instructor created a safe space for me to ask questions and build my confidence. It also helped me make connections with other people in the same boat as me, so I never felt alone.”

Just two months after earning her GED, Raven enrolled in CNM’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Her ultimate goal is to become a traveling ultrasound technician so she can work with expecting parents around the state.

Along with her passion for learning, working in the field of sonography is particularly important to Raven because of her own experience as a mother.

“When I was pregnant with my son, I had a negative experience with a sonographer and it ended up setting the tone for the rest of my pregnancy,” she says. “When I was thinking about what I wanted to do after earning my GED, sonography made sense because I want to be the advocate for other expecting mothers that I didn’t have.”

Looking forward, Raven is excited to continue her education and to start her career in sonography. She also wants to encourage other people who are interested in going back to school to take the leap, even if they’re scared.

“My biggest piece of advice is to just do it,” she says. “Being scared or nervous shows that you care and want to achieve your goal, and those are the feelings that push you to succeed.”