Experience
I have learned throughout life to expect the unexpected. Some of the most rewarding experiences have come from the most unforeseen opportunities.
In 2021, I was given the opportunity to work for IU Methodist as a Patient Care Tech. When I accepted the job, I had limited exposure to healthcare environments, as my previous work experience had primarily been as a manager of Donner Aquatic Zone in Columbus, Indiana. At this point in my life, I had little interest in direct patient care, but I had a drive to help people and had knowledge of basic first aid and CPR. So, I decided to take a chance at a new adventure. When I was trained and worked my first shift, I quickly realized that healthcare is not what I had imagined. I started working during COVID-19, and I witnessed some of the worst times in modern healthcare. With countless code blues, understaffing, and burnout all around me, my eyes were opened to struggles I was not even aware existed. Nevertheless, there were many unforgettable experiences that completely altered my understanding and appreciation of healthcare.I saw what some would call “miracles”-patients recovering from intensive care and others living through unimaginable events. From these experiences, healthcare emerged as the reference point for all my conversations, and healthcare became the direction of my life.
I knew this field was where I wanted to grow my career. While I never had an intention of staying in direct patient care long-term, the experiences I had there gave me a clear understanding of those roles. Through conversations with my mentors, I realized I could contribute to healthcare without being clinical and that my experience on the clinical side could help me be well-equipped to manage those operations which impact front-line staff. I started researching hospital administration careers and the degrees associated with those roles. One factor I saw repeatedly amongst successful hospital administrators was a master’s degree in administration. I immediately contacted my advisor at IU-Indianapolis, stepped away from my social work major, and set my goal to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Health Service Management. I took 18 credit hours for three semesters to catch up due to joining the program late my sophomore year. I pursued internships and any opportunities I could find, gathering experience and growing my knowledge.
I then excepted my first internship at Cancer Support Community as a program coordinator. In this role I was given the oppurtity to plan outreach programs for people affected by cancer, plan, and organize the annual fall festival for the community they serve. For preparation of this event I heavily focused on community networking to receive donations while advertising for the event. In this role I began to understand the nonprofit side of healthcare and the importance building relationships in the community.
After Cancer Support Community I wanted to see the inpatient side of health, more focused on a hospital setting. That is where I found the Veterans Health Administration in downtown Indianapolis. I have currently have been in the role of student intern for a little over a year and have absolutely loved it. I get to work with multiple different services and everyday is something new. After doing various projects I found that I have a passion in project management on a multi- service level where I get to coordinate with different people.
