When Andrea got injured, her career came to a full stop.
She had spent years managing veterinary hospitals—work she loved, but that took a physical toll. After a serious leg injury and months of recovery, Andrea knew returning to that line of work was no longer an option. But with bills to pay and no clear next step, she began driving for Lyft just to make ends meet.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Andrea said. “I just knew I needed to pay my bills.”
Like so many others stuck between survival and a fresh start, Andrea needed something new—but affordable, flexible, and worth her time.
What she found was Merit America.
The Breaking Point: “I couldn’t go back to what I was doing”
Andrea had just gone through artery bypass surgery in her leg. She tore all the ligaments in her knee, and recovery took nearly a year. Returning to a physically demanding job wasn’t possible. On top of that, the job market had shifted in ways she hadn’t expected.
“I’d always landed a new job while I still had one,” she said. “But now I was trying to re-enter the workforce with no income—and in a brand-new field.”
Driving for Lyft became a temporary fix. One day, while working, Andrea came across an ad for Merit America.
“Try it free for four weeks. Get a $100 gas card. No risk.“
She didn’t know what kind of career she wanted. But Merit America offered a free career quiz to help people figure it out. Her results pointed to data analytics.
“It wasn’t something I had ever really thought about before,” she said. “But once I started learning it, I thought—wow, this is actually really interesting.”
So, she gave it a shot.
“I figured, why not? I had nothing to lose,” Andrea said. “But once I got in, I was hooked. The résumé support, the coaching, the job search help—it was exactly what I needed.”
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What Made the Difference: Coaching, Strategy, and Real Skills
For Andrea, the program wasn’t just about learning technical skills, it was about feeling supported throughout her career change into data analytics.
“I’d redone my résumé so many times before,” she said. “But the Merit America team showed me what actually matters to recruiters today. I had never had that level of insight before.”
With weekly meetings with her coach Brittany and regular squad check-ins, Andrea began building momentum. She refined her résumé, practiced for interviews, and got hands-on experience in how to search for entry-level tech jobs—targeting hybrid roles and freshly listed openings.
“Coach Brittany was always available,” Andrea said. “She helped me figure out my non-negotiables and values—what really mattered to me in a job.”
One of the biggest mindset shifts came from resetting expectations.
“I knew I wanted a big salary. But I had to be honest with myself—this was a career pivot. I had to aim for entry-level and work my way up. That clarity helped me refocus.”
She started applying for jobs before she even finished the program.
Landing the Job Before Program Completion
Andrea spotted a hybrid job posting at Verizon focused on enterprise support and analytics. She applied.
“I asked the recruiter how many positions were open, and she said just one. I thought, ‘There’s no way they’ll pick me.’”
But they did. Out of 20 applicants, Andrea was selected.
Why? It wasn’t just her new data skills or progress toward completing the Google Data Analytics Certificate. Verizon also saw value in her years of people-focused work in veterinary hospitals—experience that showed empathy and leadership, not just technical ability.
“Merit America helped me see the value of my soft skills,” Andrea said. “I remind myself every day what I can contribute, even if I don’t know everything yet.”
Her new title: Global Enterprise Advisor.
Switching from gig work to a salaried position in data analytics changed Andrea’s life.
“I can pay my bills. I can travel. I don’t feel stuck anymore. I’m not just surviving—I’m actually living again.”
Andrea estimates her income jumped by around $30,000. While her starting salary was technically lower than her peak in veterinary management, the long-term growth potential was far greater. She now had benefits, stability, and a path forward in a scalable field.
“I entered a career path where I have the potential to make even more than I was making before. And that’s exciting.”
Building a Future Beyond the Paycheck
Andrea’s new career didn’t just bring stability, it opened doors. For the first time in years, she’s thinking long-term: buying property, using tuition assistance through her employer, and building wealth so she’s never in a financially unstable place again.
“Now that my immediate needs are taken care of, I can plant roots. I can think ahead.”
She’s also been able to stay in Sacramento, where she moved years ago for more affordable living. Remote and hybrid work give her the flexibility she needs to thrive.
But even with a job offer in hand, the transition wasn’t easy. Andrea admits that starting over came with self-doubt.
“I had done my old job with my eyes closed. I knew it inside and out. Starting over felt terrifying.”
Still, she kept showing up—one step at a time. And that consistency built something powerful: confidence.
“You start building that confidence muscle. Even with small wins, it adds up. You look back and go, ‘Wait, 19 weeks ago I didn’t even know about this program—and now I have a job I love?’”
Now, Andrea encourages others to take that same first step. She doesn’t sugarcoat the journey—a career pivot is hard. But with the right support, it’s absolutely possible.
“If you’re on the fence, just start. Try the four-week free trial. See how it feels. Because once you’re in, you’ll want to stay.”
She credits Merit America’s honest approach, structured support, and real-world guidance for helping her succeed.
“They tell you the truth. They’ll show you where to start, how to grow, and what works in the real world.”
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
Andrea’s story is one of thousands. Like so many Merit America learners, she didn’t need a four-year degree or to quit working. She just needed a way forward.
She found it.
And now, she wants others to know: It’s possible.
“Just take the first step. Don’t try to climb the whole mountain at once. One step at a time is all it takes.”
If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone. Whether you’re driving for Lyft, working in retail, or juggling three jobs, there is a way forward. And it doesn’t involve quitting your job or racking up student debt. With Merit America, you can:
- Learn part-time while you work
- Get personalized career coaching and job search support
- Earn industry-recognized credentials
- Make the leap into tech—no degree required
👉 Take our ‘Which Program Is Right for Me?’ quiz to explore your options.
👉 Still deciding? Learn more about entry-level data analytics jobs with training.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to get started.
Just like Andrea did.