Growing up in the small town of Lancaster WI, there was a great sense of community. When graduating in 2021, I decided I was going to go to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and major in well I don’t know. I was tired of everyone asking me on what I wanted to go to school for so I just told everyone I was going to go for Business Finance. I learned very quickly after starting college that I didn’t want to major in business finance. Thankfully I was enrolled in a entry level business class that brought in all the different types of business degrees UW-Eau Claire provides. One of these that stuck out to me was Healthcare Administration and that was because Professor Creapeau. She talked about this degree where I wouldn’t be stuck behind a desk all day and was able to give back to the community. The slogan for HCAD is “A head for business and a heart for caring”. This really resonated with me and so after that class I had to walk up the hill back to my dorm room. During that walk I called my father and asked him what his thoughts were and he said go for it. I reached out to my academic advisor and switched that night. 

 

I then did some reflecting on why I was drawn to this major. Growing up I went on many mission camps all over the Midwest. The crew that I was placed on was always doing work for the older population. I got a great sense of fulfillment and purpose when the tasks were completed and to see the people’s faces was priceless. It truly felt great to give back to those who needed it.

 

Another being that my family is all in healthcare in some way. My mom is a social worker, my sister is a RN, and my father works for a group purchasing organization. So I was constantly exposed to healthcare and supporting others.

 

The third reason is that when I saw my grandma in a nursing home I was so appreciative of those people that took care of her. They were always so nice to everyone and always had a smile on their faces. It was so relieving to know that she was is good hands.