What a Senior Director of Operations at Tend Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Healthcare Industry
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations, wishes they had known the significant technical skills needed in the industry before starting their career, suggesting a head start in college would have been beneficial. The most impactful advice given was the importance of "leveraging your network," emphasizing the willingness of people to help, especially those who are "good at what you do".
Networking, Technical Skills, Career Development, Leadership, Industry Realities
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mark Pesin
Sr. Director of Operations
Tend
University of California, Santa Barbara
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain, Technology
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. The role is more technical than initially expected, and having a technical background or proactively developing technical skills early on (like in college) would be highly beneficial.
2. Networking is extremely valuable, not only in this industry but in any career. Actively building relationships and not hesitating to connect with your network for support or collaboration is crucial for success.
3. People generally want to help each other, especially those who are competent in their work. Don't be afraid to reach out to your network; it's a valuable asset for career growth and problem-solving
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would've told you before you entered the industry?
Some of it I've already spoken about, but regarding how technical it is, or how helpful it is to be technical, I definitely went into it with no technical skills whatsoever and had to learn them. I wish I'd known that earlier; I would have gotten a head start in college, and it would have helped me a lot. I had to learn on the job, so that's super helpful.
The biggest thing by far, and not just in this industry but in any industry, is leveraging your network. This means meeting people, making a lasting impression, and not being scared to contact them when you need something or when they need something.
Basically, don't be afraid to leverage your network because people naturally want to be helpful. That is an inherent trait as humans, and everyone will help you, especially if you're good at what you do. So, don't be afraid to leverage your network.