First, she trained to be a radiology technologist in a hospital setting and continued studying to earn a bachelor degree. Eventually she trained to be a sonographer through an on the job training program at an Iowa hospital. She has worked her way up from student to clinical instructor at that hospital.

As a clinical instructor, she teaches, supervises and evaluates students during their clinical experiences, and continues to work part-time as a sonographer at the hospital. She also continues to learn. She is currently completing a master's degree in adult education at a local university.