Admission Essay
A. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals after completing the program. What characteristics do you possess that would make you a good fit for these goals?
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree of Health Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2011, I want to complete a higher health management program in order to strengthen my knowledge and my ability in business, with special concentration in healthcare management. I realized that to be able to effectively integrate my business and management skill, I must obtain actual experiences pertaining to healthcare management. To be exact, I want to work in a large health organization that will enable me to develop more insights into several aspects of healthcare management as well as the international aspects of pursuing this business field. I am certain that Georgia State University in Atlanta really has an excellent business program. Thus, I intend to focus on building business skills while also equipping myself with knowledge specific to the healthcare industry. This, in turn, will enable me to achieve success in my future career.
My short term goals include gaining more skills and knowledge in healthcare administration and management, with specific focus on the healthcare policies. After completing a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management at the GSU, I also want to do internship in some particular organizations so that I can gain more experiences and be more confident while I am enrolled in the program. My long term goal and desire is to work in hospitals, hospice facilities or insurance companies, provider networks, or government policy organizations after graduation. This opportunity will give me the chance to interact with healthcare customers, most especially patients. I also see myself being involved with an international healthcare organization in the near future, hence, expanding my global perspective in terms of professional growth, exposure and professional experience.
I am convinced that I will realize these short term and long term goals because I am a dedicated student. I am diligent and detail-oriented professional, with extensive experience in customer service and administrative assistance. I also possess in-depth knowledge of health care administration systems and processes. I have honed my excellent communications and organizational skills which are essential in coordinating with patients as well as their families and peers. This vital skill is crucial to the full recovery of the patients. I have also demonstrated strong dedication toward my professional work and have shown adeptness in working within diverse environments. I also display good proficiency in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Because of my excellent work performance, I was usually given the opportunities to attend several meetings and seminars about healthcare management. I am certain that this trait will help me attain success in all my endeavors as I am always focused and interested with what I do. Despite my enthusiasm and commitment, I know I still need to be equipped with critical knowledge and management skills, particularly in corporate finance, business administration and marketing. I also know that I have to increase my knowledge and appreciation of green and/or ethical issues involved with hospital administration. Since dealing with healthcare operations on an international standard will be a focal aspect of my future job, I know I have to fill these gaps in my learning.
B. Complete two of the following: (Please complete each response on a separate page and do not exceed 500 words per question.)
I have always wanted to travel and become an accomplished professional. Ever since, I have always wanted to go to various places and experience their own special cultures and geography. I simply love this. I think travel is a form of a leisure and a real education for me. I often wander, even inside my own mind. I know I just have to go somewhere else, thus, I often travel inside my mind when I am not preoccupied. The feeling is simply fulfilling.
In being an accomplished person, I have charted my professional goals long before and I know I will be very disappointed if I do not finish what I have always thought I would finish. This gives me the drive to go on, despite certain odds and challenges.
I guess what makes me a unique person is my inherent faith in humanity. I love to do volunteer work and I want to pursue the healthcare management professional because I know I have an inherent wish to be of help to others, to be able to cater to their needs and service them with great care and proper medical attention. Sometimes, I envision myself to be greatly involved with administering healthcare for free. This makes me feel unique and special because most of the time, people wants to pursue professional advancements for their own glory. I think this is not the case for me. I always have the heart for people and I often times put their needs first before mine.
The greatest lesson I have ever learned is
I have learned that the greatest lesson in life is all about humility. There are many special occasions where I have been humbled by the most simplistic event, like a child showing me what it is to really love or an old medical professional who showed me how it is to be selfless and to have faith in God. I am always humbled by my own experiences and I always realize that the old adage is indeed true – the more we know, the more we know that only the less we know.
Because of this, I pursue knowledge with meekness and with a special purpose. I am certain that there are extraordinary challenges given to me because God intends for me to learn something. I always remind myself not to be over confident because I only know little about life.
Another important lesson that I have learned pertains to diversity. The US healthcare system is different from Asia, the place where I came from. During my internship at Cooper Green Hospital in Alabama, I worked under the Quality Department and this was where I learned so much knowledge from the hospital’s organization, structure, communications between staff and patient, and the professionalism of the staff. I also learned a lot about humanity.
There were so many challenges that which I attempt to overcome on my own. I have learned how hard it is to be a good leader. It is difficult to confront or deal with complex circumstances in the organization and it is really hard to able to incorporate one’s efforts in the group work. I have also learned the importance of group communications, especially among staff, between staff and patient. Lastly, I have learned throughout my undergraduate academics the basic step-tone in the healthcare field both in short and long term care.
Why have you chosen this degree?
I have chosen this program because during my undergraduate study at the UAB, I have witnessed the dynamism of the U.S. Healthcare system. Healthcare continues to be one of the most passionately debated topics in our society for a number of reasons. These include the ever-increasing cost of technology and medication, insurance issues related to covered services, the struggle to remain profitable in this tumultuous economic situation, the crises in Medicare and Medicaid, among others. I realized that healthcare will continue to set the challenge, even for the new millennium. Hence, I pursued this program with the conviction that it will give me a good foundation to able to experience those dynamism and challenges in my future healthcare career.
I have chosen this degree because I feel a certain calling in patient care and customer service. In my previous job, I spearheaded our team in resolving customer satisfaction issues for services offered by our company. I also led prospecting activities and negotiation of contracts with clients for business progress. Overall, I have the skills in client business relationships. I can cater to the needs and wants of my clients.
This degree also coincides with my goals. As mentioned above, it is my aim and my desire to work in hospitals, hospice facilities or insurance companies, provider networks, or government policy organizations after graduation. This degree will give me the opportunity to realize this goal and work closely with healthcare customers.
