I’ve always found it fascinating to hear how people end up in their chosen careers. I remember listening to a podcast where someone mentioned starting a business picking up dog waste, and I thought, “Really? There’s a need for that!” It just goes to show that there’s a niche for everyone, even if it’s not what we dreamt of as kids. We all find our place in the world somehow.
Growing up in the 90s, I never thought about pursuing a career in computer science. Back then, computers and the internet were still emerging trends, much like VR and AR today, with no certainty that they would truly take off. I remember showing my babysitter a picture of a cheetah I found online—watching it slowly load, pixel by pixel—and booting up Oregon Trail from a floppy disk. I thought then that computers were more of a novelty than a serious career option. My real fascination was with biology and human anatomy, so I always assumed I’d end up working in a hospital or in some field related to biology.
As I progressed through college, however, I found myself increasingly drawn to computer science, particularly in ways that could advance healthcare. At the time, I was working as a lifeguard, but I felt I wasn’t doing enough to get me where I wanted to be. I needed a change. My first real job outside of lifeguarding was on a hospital help desk. My initial interview didn’t go well, and I didn’t get the job, which left me feeling like I wasn’t good enough. But after six months, I reapplied and was finally offered the position.
I remember my first day of training, feeling like I might be the weakest link because I hadn’t made it through the first time. But I was determined to prove myself. I studied hard, and by the end of the two-week training, I was at the top of the class. Another trainee and I were selected for advanced training and offered full-time positions instead of contracts like the others. This experience gave me the confidence that I was on the right path in IT—I just needed to stay focused and keep working hard.
The three years I spent on the help desk were some of the hardest of my life. Being the go-to person on the desk meant working harder than anyone else, which took a toll on me emotionally and mentally. Finding balance was tough, especially when you’re literally tied to your desk by a headset. But the camaraderie with my coworkers helped ease the stress. I have tremendous respect for help desk workers and the challenges they face, and I hope they all find a brighter path forward.
During those three years, I also dedicated myself to learning everything I could about electronic medical records. I reviewed old tickets, experimented in the training domain, and sought to understand why things broke and how to fix them. This knowledge eventually led me out of the help desk and into a training role, where I spent the next three years teaching other agents what I had learned about electronic medical records. I loved that job, but I still felt like I was missing something—I wanted to be more involved in hospital workflows and see the impact of IT on the ground.
In 2020, I took the next step in my journey and entered the field of clinical informatics. This area of healthcare IT requires both a strong understanding of IT and a deep knowledge of clinical workflows. I felt confident in my IT skills but knew I needed to improve my understanding of workflows. Over the next three years, I worked hard to expand my knowledge, especially in ambulatory and nursing workflows. This growth positioned me as a leader in the field and led to significant increases in both responsibility and compensation.
Here’s a glimpse of how my pay changed with each new role:
• Helpdesk agent to Helpdesk Trainer: +$10k
• Helpdesk Trainer to Clinical Informatics: +$6k
• Clinical Informatics to Clinical Informatics/Analyst: +$30k
• Clinical Informatics/Analyst to Consultant: +$53k
Finally, in 2023, I landed my dream job as a consultant, where I now have the opportunity to help hospitals change their approach to IT in healthcare. I’m able to use my expertise to benefit the greater good, which is incredibly fulfilling. Looking ahead, I’m still considering whether to continue consulting or move into a leadership role, guiding the next generation. Either way, I’m 100% happy with where I started and where I am now, and I’m excited to continue growing and shaping the future of healthcare IT.
The Throw Away 