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 put up, 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 appears like.
I’ve been at HealthSherpa for nearly 2 months now. There was an acquisition at my final firm, and it led to a whole lot of change; it opened my eyes to exterior alternatives. I began getting pinged lots by recruiters and there have been attention-grabbing jobs opening up. I’d labored in liquor immediately earlier than HealthSherpa; however earlier than that, I’d labored in a mission-driven surroundings, 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 within me. With pals and different volunteers, we have been in a position to take action a lot – we helped folks get out of the Island, helped feed youngsters who have been going with out meals, helped folks get entry to primary wants.
After this expertise, I began interested by different points that weren’t essentially immediately 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 obtained sick, and I didn’t have sufficient insurance coverage? That could be a actual subject, 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 subsequent 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 folks on the interview workforce have been very candid with me about what the actual issues have been, the actual wants have been, and what the precise actuality at HealthSherpa appeared like.
- The belief. The workforce trusted one another in a really implicit method. Later within the course of, I obtained to satisfy a few of my teammates, friends and direct stories. The conversations felt natural and real with the workforce as nicely. It didn’t really feel just like the workforce was being avoided the method; they requested questions (and vice versa), and it confirmed me that the recruiter and hiring supervisor positioned a whole lot of belief within the workforce, 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 comfy about one another’s positions. Once I spoke to George (Chief Govt Officer), he stated that he didn’t must assess whether or not I’d be a superb product chief – that was Cat’s (Chief Product Officer) job. He simply wished to determine whether or not I’d be a superb match for the corporate on the whole, 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 no less than 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 making certain that I’m arrange for achievement 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 awesome combination of collaboration, listening in, and asking the best questions and ensuring that we’re ready to make the best choices. 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 might 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 go away the day virtually day by day feeling energized and like I’m studying. I go away the times very glad.
I’ve discovered that there are issues that we take without any consideration, that aren’t as simple as they appear. Everybody is aware of about healthcare; no person goes by life without having it, with out taking part on this system indirectly. There may be 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 sooner or later, and also you will inevitably want healthcare.
So, studying the complexities of the house is absolutely necessary. There are issues that you simply would possibly suppose are easy and you discover out that they’re truly very difficult. I’ve been approaching a whole lot of this with humility, and counting on the those that I’ve been working with to assist me get on board. I 100% must depend on my teammates to arrange me and maintain me up after I make errors.
I’d say two issues:
- When you’re interested by working right here, don’t suppose twice. You must positively discover alternatives with us, and apply if you see one thing that might be a superb match for you.
- For somebody who isn’t so certain about HealthSherpa, for no matter purpose – think about the place you’re and the impression you’re making the place you’re, after which think about the potential impression you may 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 figuring out the way it will profit folks in an enormous method.
Wish to work with Patricia and the remainder of our phenomenal workforce? Click on right here to discover present openings and listen to from extra teammates at HealthSherpa!