This past year has been one of the most transformative of my career.
When I graduated in May 2020, at the height of COVID, I adopted the mindset that so many fresh grads had at the time: “You get what you get and you make the most of it.”
I’ve lucked into some fantastic opportunities and applied a bit of elbow grease to maximize their impact on my personal and professional lives. Working gig jobs as a stylist and reseller (beautifying the world one client at a time and donating a percentage to social justice organizations), I learned the importance of finding trends in client feedback and adjusting my approach accordingly without sacrificing my integrity as a designer.
As a data technician and quality evaluator at the former Meta Reality Labs, holistic approaches to ethical user research became a passion as I advocated for data diversity with pilot studies and a lab-wide initiative. Building a modest user experience research department at REEA GLOBAL, I honed my business instincts and witnessed firsthand the value of succinctly translating user feedback into product and workflow design improvements. These roles highlighted how well I thrive in spaces where I can solve complex problems with creative solutions that uplift people by echoing their unique voices and perspectives.
Stepping into the healthcare sector last year (and into my first formal leadership role) strengthened my instincts in new ways. I muscled into the world of mobile clinic services, community partnerships, and tele-health innovation with a deep belief in equity, collaboration, and continued education. Systemic issues I’d experienced as a patient were given a new context as I met the providers and support staff attempting to remove obstacles to care from within the confines of the convoluted insurance social welfare programs hell —excuse me — landscape.
UPMC Community Ophthalmology & Remote Access Program (CORAP) serves communities where access to vision care is often limited, delayed, or entirely out of reach. This work is equal parts logistics, compassion, data analysis, advocacy, and adaptation. It’s some of the most human, purpose-driven work I’ve ever been a part of.
I’m humbled by what we accomplished this year. I’m grateful for the chance to learn, lead, and serve. I’m even more grateful for what’s ahead.
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