I am currently enrolled in the CPC program and will sit for the certification exam in December. So far, I am doing really well, and feel confident in my abilities. I am enjoying it, and know I made the right decision! I am making a career change after spending nearly 20 years in retail. 15 of those were in store management. I chose coding because I see the value in being part of the healthcare field, and it is something that has always interested me. I just never had the the time to devote to it, based on my crazy retail schedules. I have some friends in medical software and nursing, and they all suggested that I look for a front office/receptionist/file clerk position to gain entry into the field. Then, work up to coding once I am certified. I should add that those friends live in different states, so working at their companies would not be possible (as much as they would love to help!). I have applied to probably 30 jobs in my area that fit that description. But, each place has said the same thing: I am unqualified. Mind you, these were all jobs that were basic, administrative positions – like answering phones, working a desk, or data entry. I have pretty much given up on in-house jobs, and have shifted my research to remote coding positions. After reading several comments that mentioned remote coding being good a gateway to the field for CPC-As with no prior experience, I felt a little better. However, I do worry that 15 years of retail experience on my resume will continue to deter potential employers (even with the CPC). Before signing up for the AAPC program, I did look into going to a local college for essentially the same program. The admissions rep mentioned that my chances for future employment would be good. She said employers looking for entry level hires would take into consideration my heavy customer service background, extensive work with technology, and history of working at jobs where I had to be organized and manage sensitive information. It made sense, but she was also selling me a very expensive program. As I get closer to my exam date, I am growing increasingly more discouraged about the job prospects – or lack thereof – that might await me. Has anyone had this issue in the past, or currently dealing with it now? I’ve spoken to several people who became coders after working other healthcare jobs, but could really use advice from those who have jumped in brand new, from unrelated backgrounds like me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!