For Harli Harrington, college didn鈥檛 begin after high school. It began during it.
As a freshman, she started taking college classes through 麻豆视频 (EICC). She kept going, building experience alongside her high school coursework and getting a clearer sense of where she wanted to go next.
鈥淩eally, I tried to take as many dual-enrollment classes as I could,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could earn college credit and save myself time and money along the way.鈥�
She knew she was interested in healthcare, but not exactly what that would look like. So, she used that time to test it.
During her senior year at North Scott High School, Harrington enrolled in EICC鈥檚 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Career Academy. She stepped into clinical settings, onto ambulances, and into hospital rooms.
鈥淚 really enjoyed the fast-paced-ness of it and just learning how everything worked,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he experience really solidified the fact that I wanted to go into the medical field.鈥�
Now it was no longer an interest. It was direction.
After graduating high school in May 2023, Harrington continued at Scott Community College and earned her Associate in Science degree. At first, her plan pointed toward neuroscience.
Then her focus shifted. It started with a microbiology class.
鈥淚 got introduced to microbiology here at EICC,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd I was like, 鈥極h my gosh, this is really great.鈥欌��
Not a dramatic decision. More like something clicking into place.
When she transferred to the University of Iowa in fall 2024, she tried to hold onto both paths before choosing one.
鈥淚 started as a neuroscience major, and then I added microbiology on,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd then I realized I would rather just pursue microbiology. It鈥檚 just what I have come to love.鈥�
Now a junior, she studies microbiology with a minor in chemistry. The work keeps her close to medicine while opening a different kind of possibility.
That possibility is already part of her routine.
鈥淚 work in a virology lab now, too,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really enjoy it. I鈥檓 doing things like performing diagnostic tests, isolating viruses, and conducting research on viral pathogens.鈥�
After graduation, she plans to continue in a two-year postbaccalaureate research program. She鈥檒l use that time to decide how she wants to move forward.
鈥淚鈥檓 still deciding whether I want to do just research or if I would like to get my doctorate in medicine,鈥� she said.
Both paths are within reach.
鈥淚 would love to be a surgeon of some kind.鈥�
And if not, the work she鈥檚 already doing has shown her another direction worth pursuing.
鈥淚f I were to choose research, I would want to work in a virology lab.鈥�
Looking back, Harrington doesn鈥檛 point to a single moment that defined everything. Instead, she points to the ability to try, adjust, and keep moving.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important for people to know that even if you didn鈥檛 do great in high school, or even if you struggle a little bit in college, it doesn鈥檛 mean that you can鈥檛 do exactly what you want to do,鈥� she said.
鈥淵ou might just have to take a different route.鈥�
For her, that route started early. It started at EICC. And it continues with more goals ahead.
Next Is Now
At EICC, that opportunity is there from the beginning 鈥� a way to step into college, test what fits, and build something that continues long after you leave.
Learn more about convenient college credit options and transfer pathways at EICC.