HealthSherpa strongly believes in creating inclusive, equitable areas, which construct belief, respect and a way of belonging which are crucial to our tradition and work. We’re excited to characteristic our colleagues and listen to extra about their experiences at HealthSherpa, from their first touchpoints all the best way as much as their tenure and development. On this publish, hear from Vice President of Product Administration Patricia Pichardo, who opens up about why she stated sure to HealthSherpa, her private journey to mission-driven work, and what her day-to-day seems to be like.
I’ve been at HealthSherpa for nearly 2 months now. There was an acquisition at my final firm, and it led to quite a lot of change; it opened my eyes to exterior alternatives. I began getting pinged rather a lot by recruiters and there have been attention-grabbing jobs opening up. I’d labored in liquor instantly earlier than HealthSherpa; however earlier than that, I’d labored in a mission-driven setting, and I actually missed that mission connectivity.
So after I began exploring new alternatives, what actually made HealthSherpa stand out was the mission, and the chance to do what I do professionally to usher some good into the world.
Personally, when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, I discovered myself advocating for Puerto Ricans within the diaspora – it actually wakened one thing inside me. With pals and different volunteers, we had been in a position to take action a lot – we helped individuals get out of the Island, helped feed youngsters who had been going with out meals, helped individuals get entry to primary wants.
After this expertise, I began desirous about different points that weren’t essentially instantly impacting one thing that I used to be near. So when Sarah (Ahn, Senior Recruiter) reached out to me about this function at HealthSherpa, it felt like a complete match for me. How would I get higher if I bought sick, and I didn’t have sufficient insurance coverage? That could be a actual concern, an actual downside. And HealthSherpa is fixing it – and it’s a worthwhile firm, with a dedication to range, fairness and inclusion. It was a complete no-brainer to say sure to speak about this function.
There have been a couple of issues that stood out to me:
- The human contact. I’d labored with good recruiters earlier than, however at HealthSherpa, it wasn’t simply the recruiter. Sarah launched me to the following particular person, who introduced the identical nice contact and humanity to the method. It was clear that the recruiter and the hiring supervisor shared the identical values, and that there was clear intention informing the method.
- The candor. Sarah and all the individuals on the interview staff had been very candid with me about what the true issues had been, the true wants had been, and what the precise actuality at HealthSherpa seemed like.
- The belief. The staff trusted one another in a really implicit method. Later within the course of, I bought to satisfy a few of my teammates, friends and direct reviews. The conversations felt natural and real with the staff as properly. It didn’t really feel just like the staff was being evaded the method; they requested questions (and vice versa), and it confirmed me that the recruiter and hiring supervisor positioned quite a lot of belief within the staff, too – and from the conversations, it felt clear that the belief existed in each instructions.
So, not solely are they human, and candid, however they belief one another. They really feel actually snug about one another’s positions. After I spoke to George (Chief Govt Officer), he stated that he didn’t have to assess whether or not I’d be product chief – that was Cat’s (Chief Product Officer) job. He simply needed to determine whether or not I’d be match for the corporate normally, and to supply the chance to ask questions of one other co-founder who wasn’t managing this function.
I get up within the morning and work out at the very least 3x/week earlier than beginning the day. After this, I sit down and have some quiet time. I spend time planning my day, establishing my conferences, and guaranteeing that I’m arrange for fulfillment for the remainder of the day. I normally have conferences after that – roughly 2-4hrs of conferences per day, and 2-4 hrs of quiet time, whether or not pre-planned or ad-hoc.
It’s an excellent combination of collaboration, listening in, and asking the proper questions and ensuring that we’re ready to make the proper selections. Often my day ends with a gathering – a 1:1 with my supervisor or a direct report, or a company-wide assembly. I’d thought that this may really feel odd as a result of I used to spend time on the finish of the day alone, however I’ve discovered this actually energizing. There’s additionally a lot to be taught – I depart the day virtually every single day feeling energized and like I’m studying. I depart the times very happy.
I’ve realized that there are issues that we take as a right, that aren’t as simple as they appear. Everybody is aware of about healthcare; no person goes via life with no need it, with out taking part on this system indirectly. There’s a lot to be taught as a client – and it’s unusual to consider this, as a result of it’s one thing primary, regular, wanted, and important. You will get sick in some unspecified time in the future, and also you will inevitably want healthcare.
So, studying the complexities of the area is de facto essential. There are issues that you simply would possibly suppose are easy and you discover out that they’re really very sophisticated. I’ve been approaching quite a lot of this with humility, and counting on the people who I’ve been working with to assist me get on board. I 100% need to depend on my teammates to organize me and maintain me up after I make errors.
I’d say two issues:
- Should you’re desirous about working right here, don’t suppose twice. You must positively discover alternatives with us, and apply if you see one thing that may very well be match for you.
- For somebody who isn’t so certain about HealthSherpa, for no matter cause – contemplate the place you’re and the influence you’re making the place you’re, after which contemplate the potential influence you would make engaged on one thing that may assist remedy such an enormous downside. There’s nothing that feels higher than doing a job you take pleasure in, and realizing the way it will profit individuals in an enormous method.
Wish to work with Patricia and the remainder of our phenomenal staff? Click on right here to discover present openings and listen to from extra teammates at HealthSherpa!
