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Finding Confidence and Purpose: Asriel’s Career Journey at Ochsner
After overcoming a personal battle with cancer at the age of 19, Asriel Faucheaux found himself at a crossroads. He had paused his college education and felt uncertain about his future. “I was lost and didn’t really know what to do with my life,” Asriel recalls. Cancer had shaken his life and derailed his plans of pursuing his visual arts degree, leaving him unsure of which path to take. But everything changed when his mother, a certified nursing assistant at Ochsner, encouraged him to apply for Ochsner’s pharmacy technician apprenticeship program—a program that helped him not only rebuild his career path but also find new purpose.
A Journey of Renewal and Discovery
Asriel’s experience in the apprenticeship was life-changing. “Being sick a lot of my life made it hard to know how to deal with people,” Asriel shares. But Ochsner's program changed that for him in profound ways. “Every experience is unique to each apprentice. It’s been scary but so rewarding,” he explains. The program helped him come out of his shell, develop interpersonal skills and learn to connect with patients and colleagues. “I’m like a completely different person than I was when I first started,” he admits. “I was so shy, but now I feel more confident.”
In addition to equipping him with interpersonal skills he once thought were out of reach, this experience also allowed him to embrace opportunities he never imagined. One of the most exciting discoveries during his training was his newfound passion for home infusion pharmacy. “When I first started, I didn’t even know what home infusion really entailed,” Asriel explains. But after being placed in Ochsner’s Home Infusion team, he discovered a passion for sterile compounding and working with life-sustaining medications. Now a certified pharmacy technician, Asriel has set his sights on obtaining a sterile compounding license and further advancing his career.
A Support System of Mentors
For Asriel, the apprenticeship wasn’t just about gaining technical skills—it was about the relationships and mentorships he developed along the way. “I never would have met some of these amazing people if it weren’t for Ochsner,” he reflects. One person who played a significant role in his journey was Samantha, a colleague and former apprentice who helped guide him through the process. “She walked me through everything. I didn’t know much about the medical field, so her support meant everything to me,” Asriel says.
Bet on Yourself – It’s Worth it
Asriel’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of believing in yourself. After facing a personal battle with cancer at just 19 and pausing his education, he never imagined he would end up in healthcare, let alone thriving in a field he has grown to love. “I just want everyone to know that it never pays to doubt yourself,” he advises. Having applied to the program despite his uncertainties, Asriel now encourages others to take that same leap of faith and pursue their dreams.
Opportunities and Support for Career Growth
Asriel is one of more than 1,000 team members who have benefited from Ochsner’s Workforce Development programs since 2013. These programs offer customized training, apprenticeships, and professional development. Whether you’re a current Ochsner team member or an external candidate, the Workforce Development programs open doors to new opportunities. Asriel’s story is just one example of how these initiatives are designed to help individuals build meaningful and lasting careers in healthcare.
Ochsner’s commitment to workforce development doesn’t stop at training—it’s about guiding people toward long-term success. Learn more about a career with Ochsner Health and join a community that supports your professional growth every step of the way.
