For as long as she can remember, Taja Young knew she wanted to work in healthcare. Helping people was something she cared deeply about, but traditional paths such as nursing never felt quite right.

“I didn’t want the stress that came with some of the traditional healthcare professions,” Taja said. “I wanted something different.”

That “something different” ended up being right in front of her all along.

As a child, Taja actually enjoyed going to the dentist. While most kids focused on getting in and out of the chair as quickly as possible, she found herself fascinated by what was happening around her. She was curious about the tools being used, the procedures being performed, and the way dental professionals worked together to care for patients.

That curiosity eventually grew into a career goal.

After graduating from high school in 2020, Taja began pursuing dental assisting at a two-year college in the Minneapolis area. Unfortunately, she started college during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many courses were forced online and hands-on learning opportunities were limited.

While she gained valuable classroom knowledge, she felt something was missing.

“In healthcare, hands-on experience is so important,” she said. “I learned a lot, but I wanted more opportunities to apply what I was learning.”

Unsure of what her next step would be, Taja found an unexpected opportunity through a childhood friend and a basketball coach, both of whom encouraged her to consider Minnesota North College’s Mesabi Range Virginia Campus.

She was recruited to play basketball and decided to continue her education at Minnesota North while working toward her Associate of Arts degree.

While attending Mesabi, Taja quickly connected with advisor Jennifer Willard. During advising appointments, the two often talked about Taja’s long-term goals and her dream of becoming a dental assistant.

“Jen knew my goal was to become a dental assistant,” Taja said. “She told me about the Dental Assistant program at the Hibbing campus and encouraged me to look into it.”

According to Jennifer, helping students connect their goals to educational opportunities is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.

“Taja came to visit Mesabi when a friend told her about the campus,” Willard said. “She expressed interest in becoming a dental assistant and wanted to continue playing basketball. We worked on a plan that allowed her to do both. I am so proud of her for fulfilling her dream and thriving in the dental industry.”

After completing her AA degree, Taja enrolled in the one-year Dental Assistant program on the Hibbing Campus.

Although she entered the program with some foundational knowledge from her previous coursework, there was still much to learn. That background helped her feel confident as she adjusted to the pace and expectations of the program.

The experience became especially rewarding during the second semester, when students spend significant time in clinical settings and internship experiences.

For Taja, it was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

Working under Dr. Nathan Pederson, she was finally able to put her knowledge into practice and work directly with patients.

“It definitely was a challenge,” she said, “but it was exactly what I had been looking for after all those years.”

As she progressed through her internship, Taja realized her preparation was paying off. Staff members frequently commented on her understanding of procedures and patient care, giving her confidence that she had chosen the right profession.

She credits much of her success to her instructors, Jolene and Dawn. While the program was rigorous and fast-paced, she came to appreciate the high standards they set for students.

“They were tough, but they prepared me for the real world,” Taja said. “Looking back, I’m so thankful for everything they taught me.”

After graduating, Taja accepted a position with Apple Tree Dental in Mounds View, Minnesota. Thanks to the clinical experience and technical knowledge she gained through the program, she felt prepared from her very first day on the job.

“When I started my internship, and even now in my career, I was able to jump right in because of the knowledge I learned in the program,” she said.

For students considering a career in dental assisting, Taja offers one simple piece of advice: spend time observing the profession before committing to it.

“I would tell people to shadow a dental assistant first,” she said. “It helps you decide if it’s really something you can see yourself doing every day.”

Today, Taja is enjoying a rewarding career helping patients improve their oral health, but she isn’t finished learning. Looking ahead, she is considering returning to school to pursue dental hygiene and continue growing within the dental field. What began as a childhood fascination in the dentist’s chair has become the foundation of a successful healthcare career, proving that sometimes the path you’re meant to follow has been right in front of you all along.