By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart
Radiologic Technology student Jamie Hall lovingly calls herself a late bloomer, but it turns out there are perks to pursuing an education later in life. For Hall, enrolling at SUNY Broome in her early 30s was perfect timing, both personally and financially. Thanks to SUNY Reconnect, she is earning her Radiologic Technology: A.A.S. degree for FREE!
Hall was born and raised in San Jose, California, and admits that school was low on her priority list. After graduating from high school, she completed one semester of college before withdrawing. Hall spent her 20s hopping between retail jobs, selling everything from toys, to art supplies, to groceries. As 30 approached, she worried she would never be financially independent enough to move out of her parents’ home.
When her sister and brother-in-law announced that they were moving across the country to the Southern Tier of New York, Hall was keen to tag along.
“My brother-in-law had just finished his PhD and accepted a position at Binghamton University,” Hall explained. “I am especially close to my sister, so I was excited when they invited me to join them.”
Embracing her fresh start on the East Coast, Hall began researching potential career paths that would lead to financial stability. As she mapped out her interests, strengths, and long-term goals, she kept circling back to healthcare. After a Google search directed her to her new community’s college, she scrolled through SUNY Broome’s programs of study and landed on Radiologic Technology: A.A.S.
“I knew I wanted a career that wouldn’t be restricted by location. There are hospitals in every city across the nation, so I knew that jobs in healthcare would always be available,” Hall shared. “I don’t have the emotional and social stamina to be a nurse, but I do do well with short, individual interactions. After learning about the roles and responsibilities of radiologic technologists, I felt like it would be a great fit for me.”
Radiologic technologists are critical members of the healthcare team, blending technology with hands-on patient care to produce diagnostic images that inform and shape future treatment plans. Consistently in high demand, licensed rad techs can further their studies to advanced imaging specialities, including sonography, mammography, CT, MRI, PET-CT, and more.
Radiologic technologists work with cutting edge technology. Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
Hall enrolled at SUNY Broome in Fall 2024, as a Health Studies A.A.S. student, ready to tackle radiologic technology’s mandatory prerequisite courses. Understanding the highly competitive nature of the program, she knew she’d need to buckle down on her academics.
“I hadn’t been in a classroom in almost ten years. I questioned whether I was cut out for being a student,’” Hall reflected. “The second floor of the library became my home. I was there almost every day getting one-on-one support for anatomy and physiology. Tutoring and supplemental instruction (SI) really helped build my confidence as an adult learner.”
Hall’s diligence paid off when she was invited to join the Fall 2025 Radiologic Technology cohort. Just when she thought life in the Southern Tier couldn’t get any better, an email arrived from Maureen Breck, Coordinator for Student Success and Enrollment letting her know she was eligible for the SUNY Reconnect program. Reconnect offers FREE associate degrees to New Yorkers ages of 25 – 55 in high-demand fields, meaning that Hall’s tuition, fees, books, and supplies would be fully funded. For the first time, the woman who always felt like she was perpetually behind was truly in the right place, at the right time.
“I couldn’t believe my luck with the timing of SUNY Reconnect,” Hall beamed. “I’m technically ten years behind my peers, so I always felt like I had a lot of catching up to do. But I appreciate that I am coming into my new career with maturity, perspective, and life experience.”
Now in the thick of the rigorous, two-year (21-month) academic and clinical program, Hall spends her days perfecting radiation safety, patient positioning, and image analysis. Dividing her focus between the natural sciences, imaging technology, and clinical care, Hall is progressively building her skills in preparation for the national registry exam to achieve American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and New York State licensure.
It turns out that the California native loves Broome County living. Hall’s favorite fun fact to share: she never owned a true coat until she moved to the Southern Tier. Now, she has ten! Not only has she acclimated to life in New York, but she’s not anxious to leave. Hall is eager to enter the workforce, and put her SUNY Broome studies into practice in the blended science and art form of medical imaging.
“Coming to SUNY Broome was the best decision that I ever made,” Hall reflected. “I didn’t really have anything that I was working towards, but now I do. I’m contributing to society in a truly meaningful way.”
Inspired by Jamie’s path? Learn more about SUNY Reconnect at SUNY Broome!
Radiologic technologists are critical members of the healthcare team and are in high demand! Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers
Tags: Health Sciences Division, Profile, Radiologic Technology, Reconnect, Student Profile, SUNY Reconnect
