The career planning process is often called a journey. For Anu, a 2008 graduate-degree recipient, this was true literally and figuratively. With a pharmacy degree in hand, Anu left her home country, India, so she could advance her career by pursuing a graduate degree in America. Anu wanted a change of profession. She knew she didn’t want to leave her healthcare background completely but she also had a passion and incredible skill for management and finance. The best answer? The University of Washington’s nationally ranked Master’s in Health Administration program. Anu moved to Seattle in 2006 and began the “Big Transition”.

Similar to many grad students, Anu was trying to strike the all-important but often elusive balance between her academic life and social/cultural life. It was a huge change coming from India to America - definitely a new culture. Although Anu was new to the US, she participated in the UW Chapter of Asha, a non-profit organization supporting education for poorer children in India. For Anu it was a great way to connect with the UW community and at the same time, give back to her home country.

In addition to completing her Master’s degree and volunteering with Asha, Anu earned a Certificate in International business. Ambitious? Yes! Does it end there? No! She also got hands-on experience through an internship with Virginia Mason, which she credits with helping her figure out exactly what kind of job and career she really wanted.

Anu’s initiative, drive, and amazing ability to manage a lot of responsibilities paid off – she landed her first full-time position as a process quality improvement specialist with Virginia Mason before she graduated. In her position, Anu works to transfer and employ the concepts of Toyata Production System (LEAN) to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery in her organization.

When asked what aspects of her experience at the UW stood out as she transitioned to and through graduate school, Anu noted the welcoming atmosphere, particularly for international students, an incredibly supportive cohort, and the learning opportunities. Anu used everything from support of her classmates and faculty, to an industry mentor, to the UW Career Center’s services, all for which she is grateful. Together, these resources helped Anu decide how to pave the future for herself. Particularly with the UW Career Center, Anu utilized workshops for resume and interview tips, seminars facilitated by career counselor Briana Keller, and mock interviews. “I was really prepared for the actual interview. The real interview was actually easier than the mock interview.” Anu feels her work with a career counselor helped her strengthen skills such as communication and professionalism, which are vital to her current position.

Take it from Anu when she says, “Take the time to reach out to the resources that could potentially help you”, especially if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Anu discourages students from assuming they know enough and therefore could do without external help and resources. Worst case - “If you do utilize resources, it might tell you what you don’t know, and if you already do know, this is a good way to test your knowledge.”

In closing, the driven and friendly Anu leaves current students with a few words. “Don’t waste any time dwelling on the negatives or wrong choices, as they’ve already been made, so keep moving forward! Once you are willing to go for your goal, go all the way. You can never be too far from reaching your goal, once you have begun the journey.”

— Written by Nina Kim and Briana Keller