[Lori McNamara]

In addition to the great advice already given, find a hygiene “tribe”. Fellow classmates that you keep in touch with after graduation. Join the ADHA and go to your state or local component meetings. Recent graduates get 35% off the annual membership. Keep learning! Don’t do the required state continuing education to get it done–attend something you are interested in. You never know where your hygiene career will take you. It is very easy to become an island in a small office and not learn about new products or techniques. You need fellow hygienists to talk to and discuss products, continuing education, techniques with. I have been a hygienst for over 42 years–career took me to public health, and now education. Having hygienst friends to attend meetings and conventions with reignited my passion for this profession and I now have hygiene friends throughout the country! Still love this profession!!