Alumni Spotlight

Christina Breeden

Congratulations to our MRI Alumni Christina Breeden as the year’s first Alumni Student Spotlight and thank you for your service to our country. Christina provides a lot of insight into her new career and has some good advice for students. One such piece of advice … “If you are currently a student, just realize that your externship can very well be a long job interview. Take it seriously and give 100% each day. It will be noticed.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Christina Breeden. I am a momma of three beautiful kiddos, whom I love with my whole heart. I am also a retired Navy Chief and in my “second life” I decided to go back to school to be an MRI Technologist.

Where have you worked since you graduated and where do you currently work? What is your title?
I graduated October 2019 (ceremony in November 2019) and since, I have worked for Health Scan Imaging, which is the facility where I completed my externship. My official MRI Technologist title is RT (MR), ARRT; ARMRIT. I was also recently hired at Temecula Valley Hospital.

What type of things do you do there day to day?
At Temecula Valley Hospital, we have a huge Cardiac program and I perform Cardiac MRI on many pre, and post-op patients, as well as standard MSK, Neuro such as Spines, Brains, MRA, MRV, Abdomens, and etc.

What do you like about your career?
I love that I can work in a private imaging center or a fast-paced hospital. I love interacting with patients on a daily basis and I have a passion for caring for others.

What are your career goals for the future?
Originally, my career goal was to work my way into a hospital where I can learn Cardiac imaging, however that happened much sooner than I had expected! Cardiac is my passion when it comes to healthcare.

What advice can you give current students and new graduates that can help them be successful?
If I can offer advice to anyone coming into the MRI field, it would be to not set a limit on yourself. Do not focus on the advice from those saying that you need to be a full RT to get a hospital job, because it is simply untrue. Do not ever sell yourself short! Be the best that you can be and keep moving forward… even when it seems scary!

How did Casa Loma College help you get where you are today?
I received SO much knowledge in each and every class that I took from Casa Loma College, but I have to say that the classes such as Cross-sectional MRI and Physics were, by far, my most challenging, but also my most favorite courses. I had so much fun and learned so much knowledge from the instructors that I carry with me into my career. I made some really good career connections as well that helped me with job placement.

What was your experience like getting a job after you graduated?
I have been an MRI Technologist for one year and 3 months and have not only been employed by a private imaging center as one would expect, but also have worked for a super innovative company called Human Longevity, which is very state of the art and exciting, as well as working at Temecula Valley Hospital in the MRO department of Radiology. This is a fantastic 5-star hospital that has continued to receive the Leap Frog Top hospital award, even through the pandemic. This is such a compassionate group of hard-working medical professionals and I am honored to be part of their family.

Did you use any of the school’s on-campus career services?
Yes. But also had great advice from a few of the instructors that motivated me to apply to some jobs that I never imagined that were possible.

Did you find a job right away? If not, how long did it take?
As I mentioned earlier, I was hired by my externship site. If you are currently a student, just realize that your externship can very well be a long job interview. Take it seriously and give 100% each day. It will be noticed.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome getting into the program?
I didn’t encounter any obstacles getting into the program. It was pretty seamless.

What are some highlights from your time at Casa Loma College?
Some highlights were the friendships that I made with my fellow students and even staff. I am so proud to say that I still keep in touch with several of my fellow students and some of the staff. I had such a great time throughout my two years at Casa Loma College.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I like to spend time with Family. During the past year with COVID, it’s never been easier to be connected to family, so I took that as a blessing. I continued to work throughout the year, despite COVID, so I feel blessed in that way as well, but after working hours, I enjoy playing video games with my kids, going on a nice drive or long walk, and cuddling up with my kids and a good movie.

What’s the best advice you can give incoming students and students currently in the MRI program?
Same as I mentioned before, but I would add – Don’t sell yourself short. Apply for everything and have confidence in what you know. Be compassionate to all patients. You never know what a person is going through. The compassion that you show a person can truly make the difference in what they are expecting and show them that you care. Other employees notice too and will follow your lead.