FROM EMT TO DATA ANYALYSTS!
Name – Tiffany Walsuck
Position – Data and Analytics Provider
Degrees – BS psychology. Masters Healthcare Administration, EMT License
Tiffany Walsuck, the analytics director at Optum, was the person I chose to interview as a health professional. Her primary responsibilities include interacting with a weekly list of clients, creating presentations that accurately reflect her data and analytics, and pitching clients plans that could help increase or decrease certain numbers. I was able to learn about the many different services Optum provides, such as contracts with larger corporations to improve and provide health benefits to their employees, such as trauma, eating disorders, and general health-related issues. Ms. Walsuck holds a BS in psychology, a master’s degree in health care and administration, and is an EMT with prior experience as a 911 operator and EMT. Her previous experience in these jobs helped her build confidence and skills that would help her grow in other departments. Empathy, problem solving, and quick thinking are examples of these skills
Ms. Walsuck suffered an injury as a competitive athlete that ended her athletic career for good. She discovered she would require emergency surgery as a result of the injury, which opened her eyes to the world of medicine. She enrolled in TCC Accelerated EMT school after discovering her passion for medicine. Discovering a love and passion for helping others, whether through EMT or health care. Despite her strong interest in medicine, she fell in love with the business side and pursued it as a career. Along with the positives of the job, there were some challenges regarding leadership, as some would frequently sweep conditions or situations under the rug in the hopes of gaining a promotion or leverage. In addition to these difficulties, she encountered and witnessed racism, sexism, and a lack of merit in some of her coworkers. Overall, she enjoys her job and does not let negativity bother her. She concluded with incredible advice such as flexibility and knowledge you can bring to your field prior to the job, as well as empathy, which plays a large role in interacting with clients on a daily basis.
WHAT I TOOK AWAY
This interview taught me that while finding your dream job is difficult, learning new skills in the meantime can improve your work and experience in future jobs. Learning new skills not only benefits you in the workplace, but it also allows you to explore other careers that can improve your personal life. I also learned that perseverance in the face of adversity fosters inference and confidence. I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to interview Ms. Walsuck I was able to gain a more positive outlook on my future working conditions and career.
Link to our zoom call! (https://screenpal.com/watch/c0lXVwVmmFd)