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Dylan, Provider Growth Associate at Headway: Advize Career Interview
A career in tech sales offers a dynamic path to success, as evidenced by Dylan's journey.
Starting with a communications degree and sales development internships involving cold calling, Dylan progressed through roles at UiPath and Mavenlink, ultimately becoming an Account Executive.
Now a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, a mental health technology company, Dylan onboards therapists, guiding their practice growth and insurance navigation.
A typical day balances provider meetings with internal tasks and independent outreach. Success requires grit, a strong work ethic, and exceptional time management skills, with networking playing a crucial role.
The industry offers a high ceiling for growth, with clear upward mobility.
Entry-level positions like business development or sales development representatives are readily available, often through internships, paving the way for a rewarding career.
Dylan's experience highlights the importance of proactive networking, immersive college experiences, and a "never give up" attitude.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dylan McBirney
Provider Growth Associate
Headway
UC Santa Barbara
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Communications
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Transfer Student
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Career Path Of A Provider Growth Associate At Headway
Dylan's career path began with a communications major at UC Santa Barbara and sales development internships during college, where the experience involved "cold calling and just kinda working with the sales team". Following graduation and roles at UiPath and Mavenlink, culminating in a promotion to account executive, Dylan transitioned to Headway, a technology company in mental health, focusing on onboarding therapists and helping "get them set up with insurance and help them scale their practice".
Main Responsibilities of a Provider Growth Associate at Headway
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, helps mental health therapists "get on board" the Headway platform to simplify insurance acceptance, a process Dylan describes as "a bit of a headache and a pain" for many therapists. This involves onboarding therapists, guiding them through client acquisition, and supporting their practice growth, ultimately enabling them to "make more money" and "expand their practice."
A Day In The Life Of A Provider Growth Associate At Headway
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, describes a typical workday involving a balance of meetings with providers—"getting them introduced to Headway or follow up with them"—and internal meetings, allocating roughly 50% of the day to these interactions. The remainder involves independent tasks such as outreach to new providers and managing referrals to expand Headway's network.
Most Important Skills For A Provider Growth Associate At Headway
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, identifies "grit," a relentless "desire no matter what to get the job done," and a strong work ethic as crucial for success. This tenacious energy, combined with the ability to push through challenges, has been key to Dylan's career progression.
Favorite Parts of Being a Provider Growth Associate at Headway
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, most enjoys the diverse daily interactions with therapists—"so many different personalities, uh, different ages, different backgrounds"—finding fulfillment in helping them achieve success, exemplified by "this really worked out for my practice, or I made this much last month in revenue."
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Provider Growth Associate at Headway
Dylan's biggest challenge as a Provider Growth Associate at Headway is managing "around 120 to 150" providers in their pipeline, requiring significant organizational and time management skills to stay on top of communication and questions. This highlights the demanding nature of the role and Dylan's proactive approach to using organizational tools to mitigate these challenges.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Healthcare Tech Industry As A Provider Growth Associate
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway, appreciates the "high ceiling" for growth in the sales industry, noting a clear path from entry-level business development roles to senior positions with significant income and work-life balance. This upward trajectory, illustrated by seeing "people that were in that role, say 10, 15 years ago, that are now in a much more senior level role," motivates Dylan and highlights the industry's potential for career advancement.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Sales Industry, According To A Provider Growth Associate At Headway
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate, identifies tenacity and a "never giving up" attitude as crucial for success in the industry, emphasizing the importance of overcoming adversity and possessing strong soft skills like effective communication and the ability to connect with senior management. The first one to two years are key to determining if a person has the mental fortitude to persevere through inevitable challenging periods, ultimately separating those who "make it" from those who do not.
What a Provider Growth Associate at Headway Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Healthcare Industry
Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate, emphasizes the critical importance of time management in their role, stating that "having that ability to kind of block out the unimportant stuff and put the important stuff first" is key to success. They recommend focusing on time management skills, like calendar blocking, before entering the industry to better navigate the demands of the job.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring BDRs And SDRs
Entry-level positions in tech sales, such as "business development representative" or "sales development representative (SDR/BDR)," are common routes into the field, with many companies now offering internships, as noted by Dylan, a Provider Growth Associate at Headway; these internships, like the one Dylan's friend completed at Okta, can significantly aid in securing full-time employment after graduation.
Significant Career Lesson From A Provider Growth Associate At Headway
Dylan's most significant career lesson is the importance of networking, learned early in their undergraduate career and continuously applied throughout their professional journey. This involved actively connecting with people on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, emphasizing that "having more of a network is only gonna help you going forward."
How College Helped a Provider Growth Associate at Headway Succeed
Dylan's success stemmed from actively engaging in "immersing myself into the school," particularly communication-focused coursework and networking with professors and teaching assistants. This proactive approach, coupled with securing "a couple internships," provided valuable experience and significantly aided Dylan's transition into their post-graduate role.
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