Kaide Juarez 

“YVC has taught me the value of hard work and dedication and how you should never be afraid to stand out on your own.“

Pronouns 
She/Her 

Degree/Certificate & Class Year  
Associate of Applied Science Radiologic Sciences, 2024 

Hometown  
Yakima 

What three words would you use to describe YVC? 
Safe, Open, High-Class Preparation 

What’s your favorite class? Why? How has it expanded your knowledge?  
Radiographic Procedures. I not only find the teacher admirable and fair but find that this class intrigues me more than any other. I love learning about pathologies that I never knew existed and learning how to accommodate patients with those conditions. This class goes more in depth than just pathologies, but this class really has tested my mental limits and has made me a better radiologic technologist for it. 

Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor? 
I have [Radiologic Sciences Instructor] Maria Sauceda as an advisor and she has always made time for my questions and always been understanding and guided me through a lot of my first year in the radiologic sciences program. 

What made you want to come to YVC? 
When I moved here back in 2017, it took me a while to figure what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I had to start from scratch and pave a way for myself in hopes of a better future. I researched YVC and what it had to offer and discovered the radiologic sciences program and it felt like my life’s calling. 

How did you decide on a major?  
I started on the nursing track because when I kickstarted my education I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, and I knew I wanted to make a difference. I never felt right with nursing so I started researching YVC and found the radiologic sciences program and knew instantly I wanted to pursue this major with every fiber of my being. 

Are there any barriers that you’ve overcome to be successful at YVC? Please describe.  
When I started school, I had an unstable living situation which made it hard to attend classes but I managed. I had to work long hours while also being in school which was tough to juggle but through dedication, I made it through. When the program became more time consuming, I had to reduce my hours at my job which resulted in worry about how I would pay for food and bills. I had to apply for food stamps and government assistance to get me through a lot of the troubling times that came with being a full-time student. 

Did you receive any financial aid or scholarship funding to attend YVC? If so, please describe how this helped you on your journey. 
Yes, I have received financial aid and was recently awarded the YVC Foundation Scholarship. It has helped me tremendously on my journey [and] I don’t think I would’ve been able to stay afloat financially without the help I received. [Workforce Program Coordinator] Josie Garza helped me stay enrolled as well when I thought I was going to have to drop out.  

What do you like or find most interesting about your major? 
I find it all interesting. I think about where I was a year ago when I was a supervisor at Costco to now where I’m taking x-rays and learning about all the technical factors that go into it as well as strengthening my critical thinking skills in a fast-paced environment. It amazes me every day how much I’ve learned in the past year alone and how much I didn’t know goes into taking x-rays. I think what’s most interesting is all the little things that go into giving me a perfect image with a patient and how it all makes a difference in their care. 

Where do you find your community on campus? 
I found my community in some of my classmates, in those that have put everything on the line for their education and that work hard to understand why we are here and what we are doing this for. It’s rare to find these people but I found the rare few. 

What advice do you have for prospective students? 
My advice is to never lose sight of what you’re fighting for, of why you started in the first place. It’s easy to get tired and overwhelmed about the road ahead and how much work you have to put into it, but I can tell you firsthand how amazing it feels when you strive for the best and you reach it. There is no greater reminder of how far you have come when you surprise yourself by putting your skills to the test and showing yourself that you can do whatever you put your mind to. 

What’s your favorite spot on campus? 

I actually enjoy the library a lot, it’s a very calm and quiet place that you can go to study or do homework. Honestly in my first year of getting prerequisites done I was unable to afford a computer and do my online assignments but the library offered free printing and computer use which helped me tremendously getting through my classes. 

How has Yakima Valley College changed you? 
It has taught me the value of hard work and dedication and how you should never be afraid to stand out on your own and be a dedicated student no matter what others think of you. The radiologic sciences program has shown me a different aspect in the community and has provided me with a completely different perspective about healthcare. I have gained an even greater respect for healthcare workers especially now that I am one and I can see what day-to-day life is like. 

How do you manage stress? 

I like taking walks and being outside when I feel overwhelmed. I also talk to my family and friends and they are able to help lift me up when I feel overwhelmed or that I’m not smart enough or good enough for my program. Being able to talk through my stress with those that are experiencing what I’m going through helps a lot as well. 

 

Do you have a job? How do you work that into your schedule? 

I do have a job. It is not without difficulty but I’m fortunate enough to have a job that works around my full-time student schedule. It takes a lot of flexibility and being able to bounce around from one place to another, which requires a lot of planning down to the minute of every hour. I am very reliant on my calendar and my weekly planner. 

 

What do you view is your biggest achievement at YVC?  

I think my biggest achievement is making the Presidents List and being awarded for that, I definitely have never worked harder to maintain straight A’s in all my classes and it feels really amazing to know that not a lot of people have the willpower to do that and maintain that. 

 

What is your ultimate goal? Where would you like to end up?  
My ultimate goal is to make a difference in the healthcare field for those pursuing radiologic sciences. I hope to be able to nurture and guide future students down this pathway and make a difference for them. I want to redefine success by the time I graduate and be able to help those with me and after me in accomplishing their goals. One day I hope to be able to teach in a school setting the future generations of radiologic technologists and be a positive influence for those I meet along the way. 

Interested in getting started at YVC? Visit our admissions page or request information.