Thursday, June 9, 2022
What is your current role at Yale University?
I am a Senior Administrative Assistant at the Yale Cancer Center.
What are your main responsibilities?
I am responsible for the Care Center doctors here at Smilow Cancer Hospital and some of the surrounding area’s – Trumbull/Fairfield, Guilford, St. Francis, Waterford, and Westerly, Rhode Island.
What do you like most about your work?
The diversity. Working with different doctors across different lines. Getting to know them and what they do, as far as cancer research and their work with cancer in general. It’s really fulfilling and interesting to learn what they do and their backgrounds.
How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
I would say I am very cautious (strict) when it comes to my health practices in general. I try to promote good health practices with my family as well. Throughout the pandemic, I have been very strict about wearing my mask.
How did you begin your career?
While going to college, I had two or three jobs. I wanted to get work experience in addition to my degree. I also had two internships that were provided through New Haven Promise with Yale Law Library and the Medical School Library. I was working at the Medical Library when I was offered a position at Yale Health Center as a lobby screener. After working there for a while, I started looking for a full time position, and that’s how I found my current job.
What steps would you recommend one take to prepare to enter this field?
I am young and just started my career path, but I would say, get involved in internships and volunteer work. Be open to learning new things. The experience certainly shaped my path and where I am headed.
What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in your job/this field?
Organization and time management are the most important skills. If I don’t manage what I’m doing and how much time I am spending on something, I could be working on that one thing all day and not get anything else done. Also, customer service skills. I do a lot of communicating with doctors, co-workers, and companies. Being personable with a good attitude is important. You don’t necessarily have to be an extrovert, but being friendly and personable certainly helps. I like helping people so I would say those things are key.
If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?
I would change the fact that I did not go directly to grad school and get my masters. Financially I felt I needed to get a job. But thinking back, I’m glad I interned, volunteered, and worked at places like the Health Center. This is because it really shaped me and I enjoyed it.
What does YAAA mean to you and how have you contributed as a member?
YAAA is a space where I can come and be myself. It’s a place where I can listen to other people who have the same struggles as me, a safe place in a way. Having started my job remotely, and not meeting many of my co-workers or having too many people to talk to, YAAA is a community space where I can socialize with others. I have attended some of the steering committee meetings and events offered, but other than that I haven’t really been able to get involved as much as I would like.