my.CSMD
Real Story: Andrea Rucker
Andrea Rucker
Class of 2023, Medical Assisting
Current Job Title: Medical Assistant/Front Lead, University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, Diabetes and Endocrine Department
Accolades, Accomplishments, and Highlights: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification
Who am I? First, I am a strong, independent, Blasian [Black and Asian] woman who has pushed herself to become a great role model for her beautiful nieces and handsome nephew. I want to show them that you can do anything you put your mind to, that you can be anything you want to be, and to never be afraid.
I was born and raised and attended school in the state of Maryland, where I still reside today. I graduated high school in 2013, and, a few short months later, I enrolled in CSM. My first two years didn’t go well, as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I decided to take a break from school.
When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be an actress (and I still do!), but I always knew I wanted to help people, too. In 2021, I started working at a pain management center. That was my first time being in that type of environment. I was learning different things in the medical environment of pain management and I liked it.
At that point, I decided that I wanted to become a medical assistant. I re-enrolled at CSM in 2019, while continuing to work at the pain management center over the next two years. At the time, I was working a 9-to-5 job and going to school in the evenings. I was also dealing with grief. In 2020, I lost my grandmother, who was very near and dear to me; She was my heart. When she passed on to glory, I honestly wanted to give up, but I knew deep down she wouldn’t have wanted that for me.
My experience at CSM was amazing. I really wished that there were dorms because I would have loved living on campus.
What originally drew me to the medical assisting program was all of the knowledge and hands-on experience you receive in the classes. Jamie Smith, one of the CSM faculty members in the medical assisting program, was the absolute best. I had the pleasure of being in Smith's classes throughout my entire program. She was absolutely amazing.
Life for me now is great. I’m working in the medical field with the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center as a medical assistant/front lead in the Diabetes and Endocrine Department. I am now a certified registered medical assistant (RMA); I passed my exam with a 90%. Upon graduation, I purchased a brand-new vehicle as a graduation present to myself without my parents' help.
The advice that I would have given to myself is: don’t give up, continue to pursue your goals, continue to pray, and always keep God first.
Thank you, CSM, for molding me into a great leader and medical assistant.
"Always remember that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela
Last updated: 3-21-25