Alumni Career Feature
Megan Brightbill
We feature alumni with interesting careers from a variety of career areas. To find out more about the alumnus profession contact them via the e-mail provided. Or if you are interested in being featured, e-mail us at alumni@pct.edu.
- B.S., Dental Hygiene: Health Policy & Administrative Concentration, 2001
- Harrisburg Area Community College
- rabrightbill@comcast.net
Why Penn College?
Megan Brightbill spent her summer days working at her uncle’s dental practice during high school. She started researching the field and with the help of her mother, a high school guidance counselor at the time, Penn College’s dental hygiene program was Megan’s first choice. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene: Health Policy & Administration Concentration.
Harrisburg Area Community College
Megan is the first-year clinic coordinator for the dental hygiene program at Harrisburg Area Community College. In this role, Megan advises first year dental hygiene students in the clinical setting. She enjoys sharing her educational and professional experiences with college students. Megan appreciated the approachability of Penn College faculty when she was a student and tries to do the same with her students. She says the most significant aspect of her Penn College education was learning how to communicate with a wide range of people in varied situations. It may sound simple to teach new patients how to floss their teeth but you must be prepared with different approaches for different patients.
Advice
Megan offers valuable advice for students exploring a career in dental hygiene. Can you be passionate about another individual’s health? Is a career in health sciences the right fit? Ask your guidance counselor for help researching the industry and interview your family dentist or ask to job shadow for a day or two. Megan also reminds college students to differentiate themselves and be the interviewer during the search for employment. When asked if she would change anything about her college career, she said she would have worked less and experienced more. If a door opens, walk through it. Take the risk for future reward.
Future
Megan is highly involved in her profession. She recently served as president of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association and now serves as district trustee for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. As district trustee, she is the link between the national organization and the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Megan is also taking classes to earn a master’s degree in Heath Education. Although Megan will admit it can be challenging to manage her time and involvement, she looks forward to making a difference in an industry she is so passionate about.
