Memphis Man Trades Badge forโ Dental Tools, Pursues New Career โคat UTHSC
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- A former University of Tennessee Health โScience center โ(UTHSC) campus police officer is now on teh other side of the classroom, pursuing โa degree in dentistry. Marshall Jones jr., 38, is navigating the rigorous demandsโฃ ofโ the โdentalโข program while balancing family life, including โcaring for his 2-year-old son who has developmental โฃdelays.
Jones initially applied too โขthe UTHSC School of Dentistry but โwasโค not accepted. Undeterred, he โคreapplied a year later โคand wasโค admitted. He acknowledges theโข challenge of balancing school and home responsibilities, stating, โข”Marriage is firstโฆ I โฃhave to take care of โขhome first.” He โฃcredits his instructors withโฃ understanding theโ demands placed on student parents, particularly those with children requiring frequent appointments.
Despite being older than most ofโ his classmates, Jones says he has adapted well, learning to “respect the space” and finding โคcommon ground with youngerโ students. He’s become aโ source of advice on topics ranging from music and anime to practical matters like โhome buying and car insurance.
Jones is poised to enterโ a field where he will be a distinct minority.โ Onyl 6.9% of dentalโค hygienists are male,and just 3.7% are Black.โฃ he believes โขhis presence as a “unicorn” in the profession will โbe particularly impactful when working withโค children. “So with the kids, it’s nice to see someone that looks like you, and you’re doing something positive with your life,” he said. “If they see thatโฆ he’s doing something good and he’s happy,maybe Iโฃ can pursue this too.”
Jones encourages others considering a โcareer change or returnโค to school โto embrace the challenges. “I thinkโค that it’s โคhard โwhenโข you’re complacent, when you feel cozy in a box,” he said.”It’s scary, it’s hard, because you’re leaving something that you knowโฆ it’s a risk. If you โฃreally want something, you will find aโ way to get it.”
