How a Department Secretary at Kaiser Permanente Succeeded Without College
Ariel, a Kaiser Permanente Department Secretary, shared that despite not having a college degree, "work[ing] in different careers within a year or two" significantly aided career advancement. This experience, however, required extra effort to overcome the preference for candidates with degrees, illustrating the challenges faced by those pursuing career success without a college education.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Hard Truths, Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ariel Ayala
Department Secretary
Kaiser Permanente
N/A
N/A
General Studies / Not Applicable
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. While a college degree can be beneficial, it's not always required for career success. Experience and skills gained through various work roles can be equally valuable.
2. Be prepared to work harder to compensate for a lack of formal education. Highlight your experience and skills to demonstrate your capabilities.
3. Building a strong resume with diverse work experience within a short timeframe can be a key strategy for career advancement, particularly without a college degree.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I never went to college. After graduating high school, I attended for one semester.
Within a month and a half, I realized school wasn't for me. I knew I had to work even harder to achieve my career goals.
Having a degree makes things a bit easier. When you don't have one, it's more challenging.
Some employers looked for a degree, which I lacked, though I had the experience. In interviews, they would choose candidates with degrees over those with experience.
After those initial interviews, I understood I'd have to work harder. Adding diverse work experience to my resume within a year or two helped me get to where I am today.
However, you must work extra hard when you don't have an undergraduate degree.
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