Every career has a starting point, but sometimes the most inspiring journeys come from those brave enough to start over. Folake, a devoted mother from Ypsilanti, Michigan, knows this firsthand. Before stepping into the world of dental assisting, she spent years behind a salon chair, helping clients feel confident and beautiful through hairstyling.
While she loved her work in the beauty industry, Folake began to feel a nudge toward something new, a path that would still let her connect with people, but in a different way. She wanted a career that offered stability, room to grow, and the chance to make an impact on people’s health as well as their appearance.
That’s when she decided to take a leap and enroll in the Dental Assisting program at Ross Education’s Canton campus. There, she gained new skills, received hands-on training, and completed an externship that opened the door to her current role in a busy, thriving dental office.
In this interview, Folake shares what it was like to make a career change, her favorite memories from Ross, and the lessons she’s carrying with her into this new chapter of life.
Here is her story:
Tell me a little about yourself and your life before Ross.
I’m from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and I’m a mom to an amazing six-year-old daughter. She’s my world and my biggest motivation for everything I do. Before entering the dental field, I was a hairstylist. I actually started doing hair in eighth grade, and it became my career for many years. Hairstyling is something I’ve always been passionate about because I love working with people and helping them feel confident in themselves.
Even though I enjoyed my work, it’s a demanding field, and over time I felt ready for a change. I wanted something that still had that personal connection with people but also gave me a new challenge and a different type of fulfillment.
What made you choose dental assisting as your next career?
For me, the connection between hair and dental care actually made a lot of sense. They’re both about helping people feel their best. A smile is one of the first things you notice about someone, it’s such a big part of who they are and how they present themselves. I thought, if I can help people feel confident about their smile, that’s just as meaningful as giving them a great haircut.
I also wanted a career that could grow with me. Dental assisting is a great entry point into the dental field, and it can lead to other opportunities like dental hygiene or even office management.
When did you graduate from Ross, and what are you doing now?
I graduated earlier this year, in March. I now work full-time at a dental office where I also completed my externship. One of my classmates was already employed there and recommended me, which I’m really grateful for.
The office has an incredible team. Some of my coworkers have been there for over a decade, and they’ve taught me so much in such a short amount of time. Being surrounded by experienced professionals is like having built-in mentors.
Can you share more about your externship experience?
My externship was unique because I was hired at the office while I was still a student, and they allowed me to complete my externship there. That meant I was doing real work right away, taking x-rays, assisting with procedures, preparing instruments, while also finishing my program requirements.
It was a huge confidence boost because I wasn’t just shadowing; I was actively contributing to the team. That hands-on learning is what really helped me make the transition from student to professional.
You also served as a peer tutor while at Ross. What was that like?
Tutoring came naturally to me because I’ve always been the kind of person who steps in to help when someone’s struggling. Becoming a peer tutor was just formalizing something I was already doing, explaining concepts, helping classmates practice skills, and offering moral support.
Even though not many people officially signed up for tutoring, there was a sense of teamwork among us students. We leaned on each other a lot, which made the experience more collaborative.
How did you first hear about Ross Education?
I knew about Ross through word-of-mouth. I’ve had friends and acquaintances who went through Ross programs and shared their experiences. That’s what first made me think of Ross when I started considering a career change.
Looking back, how would you describe your time at Ross?
When I first started, I loved it. The teachers I had in the beginning were amazing, they made the classes engaging and really cared about our success. I felt like I was learning a lot and building a strong foundation for my future career.
Over time, things became a bit less consistent, but I stayed focused on my goals. The program gave me the knowledge I needed to start in the field, and combined with the hands-on experience I’ve gotten since, I’ve been able to grow into my role as a dental assistant.
What skills have you carried from Ross into your current job?
The program gave me a solid base, things like dental terminology, understanding the structure of teeth, sterilization protocols, and patient care techniques. Once I started working, those skills became second nature.
But one of the biggest things Ross gave me was confidence. Even if I didn’t know everything starting out, I knew enough to ask the right questions and keep learning.
What’s your favorite part of working in a dental office?
I love interacting with patients and seeing their reactions when they leave happy with their results. Sometimes people come in nervous, even afraid, and by the time they leave, they’re smiling and relieved. Knowing I helped make that happen, even in a small way, feels amazing.
What are your long-term career goals?
My original plan was to become a dental hygienist, and it’s still something I’m interested in. It would mean taking additional classes at a community college since my next step would require credits that aren’t transferable from Ross. But I see it as part of my long-term growth plan.
In the meantime, I want to keep building my skills as a dental assistant, maybe take on more responsibilities in the office, and continue learning from my amazing coworkers.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about going into dental assisting?
First, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. Dental assisting is a hands-on job, you’re working directly with patients, supporting the dentist, and keeping everything running smoothly. It takes attention to detail, good communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Second, take your externship seriously. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. That’s where you’ll make connections and really learn how things work in a real office.
If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell myself to slow down and take the time to figure out what I really want to do after high school. I think if I had planned more, I could have found my path sooner. But at the same time, every experience I’ve had, even in hairstyling, has shaped who I am and made me a better dental assistant.
Folake’s journey from hairstyling to dental assisting is a powerful reminder that career changes aren’t just possible, they can be life-changing. By taking a leap of faith, she found a profession where she can combine her people skills, her eye for detail, and her desire to help others into meaningful, impactful work.
Her story also shows the value of perseverance. Even when her path wasn’t perfect, Folake stayed focused on her goals, leaned on her peers for support, and took full advantage of the opportunities in front of her, especially her externship, which directly led to her current role.
Today, she’s thriving in a field she loves, surrounded by mentors and colleagues who push her to keep growing. And whether she’s assisting in a procedure, comforting a nervous patient, or helping a coworker, Folake’s focus remains the same: creating a positive experience and sending people home with a smile they’re proud of.