“My favorite quote is in Spanish: ‘Todo tiene su tiempo.’ In English, it means, ‘Everything has its time.’ This quote reminds me that even when things feel difficult or delayed, everything happens at the right moment. Patience and faith are important in every stage of life.”
Citlaly Serrano Pelayo, who goes by Laly, explained this quote as she shared her journey to Blackhawk Technical College. It all began in Janesville.
To Mexico and back
“I grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin, but I also spent a big part of my childhood in Mexico. When I was 8 years old, my family moved back to Mexico, where I lived for eight years. At 16, I returned to the United States to continue my education and started my junior year at Craig High School,” Serrano Pelayo said, noting that when she returned as a teenager, she came only with her sister. “Growing up between two countries shaped who I am today and taught me lots of independence and responsibility.”
While finishing high school, she worked a part-time job to help support herself and her sister. She attended school and then worked until 9 p.m. every day.
“I decided to graduate early so I could work full-time and become more financially stable while deciding if I wanted to continue my education,” Serrano Pelayo explained. “After working in a warehouse full-time for a year, I realized I wanted something more for my future. That is when I chose dental assisting.”
Choosing Blackhawk
Serrano Pelayo said she chose to attend Blackhawk because of its strong reputation as a supportive and opportunity-driven technical college.
“I wanted to be somewhere that would help me grow, not just academically but personally and professionally. Blackhawk felt like the right place to start building my future,” she explained. “I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. I wanted a career where I could help people and make a difference in their lives. Dental assisting felt like the right fit because it combines patient care, hands-on skills and teamwork.”
Challenges
Learning medical terminology and academic vocabulary was a challenge for Serrano Pelayo as English is not her first language.
“At the beginning of the program, some courses felt overwhelming because of the language barrier. However, instead of giving up, I worked harder. I studied longer and reminded myself why I started,” she said.
The other difficulty she faced was transitioning from full-time work to full-time student, Serrano Pelayo shared. The support of her sister, her family and friends has helped her balance student life and working part-time on weekends.
“One of my biggest achievements has been successfully progressing through the Dental Assistant program despite the language challenges I faced. I am proud of maintaining strong performance in my courses and developing the skills needed to work confidently in a clinical setting. Every completed semester feels like an accomplishment because I know how much dedication and sacrifice it took to get here,” she said.
More goals
Serrano Pelayo, a member of the Dental Auxiliary Student Association, plans to graduate in May. After that, she said, her plans include working as a dental assistant for a few months to gain experience. Then, she wants to continue her education and pursue a career as a dental hygienist.
“My long-term goal is to keep growing professionally and create a stable and successful future for myself and my family,” she said.
She isn’t shy about recommending Blackhawk.
“My advice to anyone considering Blackhawk is to go for it. It is an amazing place filled with supportive instructors and staff who truly want to see you succeed. It may not always be easy, but if you stay focused and believe in yourself, you can achieve your goals. Blackhawk provides opportunities for growth both academically and personally, and it can truly change your life.”
Find out more about the Dental Assistant program.