Gabrielle Packer originally came to Jackson College with plans to pursue dental hygiene. What ultimately drew her in to the institution was the college’s wide range of career pathways and the freedom to explore them.   

“My best friend’s mom is a respiratory therapist and she always telling me about her job and I really enjoyed it so I took an information session and a respiratory 101 class and those made me want to be a respiratory therapist,” she said.  

Along her journey, the New Haven, Michigan native found encouragement from many people, including friends, family and the Program Director Sarah Parker. 

“She’s my biggest supporter, my biggest mentor,” she said. “I told her millions of times that I want to be her.”  

After several years of hard work and dedication, Packer has graduated from Jackson College’s Respiratory Therapy program which was a prideful experience. 

“It’s a great program,” she said. “We’re a hybrid program so you can come to class once a week and still have a full-time job and take care of your kids. We’re small but mighty. Everybody is supportive. The teachers are great. My classmates were great. We all helped each other out. It was a great experience.” 

Part of her experience at Jackson College was participating in the Sputum Bowl. Teams from across the United States participate in a fast-paced academic trivia competition for respiratory care students and practitioners culminating in national championships.  

“It’s a great experience,” she said. “You get to build a close bond with your classmates that are on your team and meet other students from other schools that are going through the program with you. It’s a different way to learn the material that helps it stick in your brain better. It’s a great opportunity to be on a Sputum Bowl team!” 

As she closes this chapter her advice for students starting out in the respiratory therapy program she says keep up with your studies.  

“A lot of it is self-driven based,” she said. “You have to do it yourself. There isn’t going to be anybody there to hold your hand and make sure you’re getting all the work done. The effort and work that you put into the program is what you will receive outside of the program.” 

In January, she will begin her career at Mott Children’s Hospital. An opportunity aligning perfectly with her vision and passion.  

“I have always loved work with kids so I am excited that I got the opportunity to jump straight into working with pediatrics,” she said.  

Made possible through Jackson College. 

“There’s so many career opportunities and pathways here,” she said. “At Jackson College you get a degree in something that you can get a job right away in which is really nice.”