I earned my MBA in Healthcare Management in June 2012. I wanted to tell you why I selected the healthcare management program and how it has helped my career.

My initial interest was rooted in my connection with Schenectady, where I had already spent four years working towards my bachelor’s degree. I loved the tight-knit community and small class sizes of my undergraduate program, as well as the relationships I was able to build with my professors, who were always invested in their students’ success, both short and long term. Every single one of my professors always challenged me to reach higher, think harder and truly get the most out of every class. I very quickly found the same to be true of the MBA in Healthcare Management program. Not only did the professors exceed my expectations in their experience, teachings and the guidance they offered, but I also found myself connecting with the administrative staff. Classes were made more useful and interesting with the compelling real-life examples and experiences that professors were able to share with us.

My passion for helping people led me to decide on an MBA in Healthcare Management, rather than just the MBA. I quickly realized that the logical next step would be to apply for an administrative fellowship. My professors, the program director, and the Career Center all played a critical role in giving me the confidence necessary to pursue this endeavor — I was able to trust in the skills I learned in the classroom as well as the guidance and support I had from them in the application process. Immediately after graduating from the program, I moved to New Orleans for an Administrative Fellowship in Operations at Ochsner Health System. I now serve as the Manager of International Services for the organization.

Although it has only been a short time since I graduated, I have already reached out to the Career Center and the program director on multiple occasions for guidance, advice and even just to say hello! I know that I will always be able to turn to my professors and other alumni for support, advice and networking as I continue to develop throughout my career.