Healthcare is the largest industry in the U.S., employing over 11 million people. An education in healthcare management can lead to careers in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance, and more. The applicant is applying to the MBA program at Albany State University with a concentration in healthcare administration to gain a better understanding of how technology and business factors impact healthcare organizations. They believe their experience volunteering and working in healthcare has prepared them for a career in healthcare administration.

1. July 2014
Grad School Entrance Essay
Healthcare is the largest industry in the U.S., and the second largest employer, with more than 11 million jobs.
Hospitals and other healthcare organizations are among the largest employers in many communities and their organizations
positively impact the health of the populations they serve. Any healthcare student knows that experience is hard to get, but it is
necessary in developing a successful career. When you make the decision to take on a career in the healthcare industry, the
next step is to lay the educational foundation and gain the experience you will need to succeed. An education in healthcare
management can take you in many different and exciting directions. In addition to more traditional careers in healthcare
management, graduates work in many other areas including: pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies,
management consulting, banks and other financial institutions, long-term care facilities, professional societies and state and
Federal agencies. Healthcare management is a career that values continual self-improvement and education, and most
employers encourage continued professional development.
I am applying for admission to the Master program in Business Administration because I want not only a job but a
career in Healthcare Administration. In particular, I am interested in factors that affect the competitive performance of a
business concern, and the manner in which changes in technology affect an organization’s structure, long-term business
strategy, product development, manufacturing, supply chains, distribution network, information needs and standard systems.
In order to gain an appreciation of these related issues, it is essential for me to have a strong grounding in issues connected
with Information Technology, as well as gain a General Management perspective. I believe that the Master program in Business
Administration (with concentration in Healthcare Administration) would be invaluable in helping me achieve these objectives. It
would enable me to channel my quantitative and conceptual skills in analyzing business issues and would open up new avenues
in research.
I believe that my background in healthcare and customer service has prepared me for such a career. With a
background of volunteer experience in the health care industry such as Southern Care Hospice, Inc. and Jasper Memorial
Retreat, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital was a great addition. Since day one as a volunteer at PPHM I have gained a lot of
knowledge working in various departments. Initially, I was placed in Home Care but was also given the opportunity to work in
Phoebe Putney’s Human Resource office for a day. The best part of my experience was getting the chance to sit in on a couple
of interviews, nurse manager meetings, and staff meetings. When there is an open position the director is contacted by the HR
consultants who actually looks at the candidate’s applications and pick out the profiles that match the job description. The
director then sets a date and time to interview the candidate. After the interview the staff gets together to talk about and
decide if they think that the candidate would be the right one for the job. If so, they would contact and hire the person if not
they would continue to stay in contact with the HR consultants in order to find more candidates for the job. After an interview
one day, another Intern and I were asked what were our thoughts about the candidate, would we choose this specific candidate
for the job or look for someone else who best qualifies for the job. I love the fact that as graduating student interns majoring in
Business Management with a concentration in Health Care Administration, they wanted our insight. Not only on this but we had
the opportunity to help out with a lot of things and bring forth a lot of ideas on how we would change things around the office.
I can truly say that I was happy to have the opportunity to work amongst such a great team of hardworking individuals.
Everything I’ve learned there was a great way to end my undergraduate career at Albany State University.

2. From 2011 up until now I have and still continuously volunteer with different healthcare facilities. I feel that I came out
and graduated with a lot of knowledge that I wasn’t expecting on getting. After graduation, I was hired as customer service
manager at Walmart, in Sylvester, Ga. This is where I learned how to apply the principles and lessons of management to real life.
It was fascinating; and transformed my interest in management research into a passion. I read extensively, trying to keep myself
informed about management thinking in my areas of work - structure and systems in an industry and organization, industrial
marketing and strategy. I also think that by me going back to school for my masters, I have a great chance in moving up within
the company. I never knew that Walmart had some many careers to choose from, including healthcare. I have learned a lot on my
present job. With the rest of my team, I have analyzed markets and examined supply and distribution networks for such diverse
products and industries as bulk chemicals, fresh fruit exports, toys, packaging machinery, retailing, adhesives, and
pharmaceuticals. I have helped formulate entry strategies, plans for expansion and diversification; and also company business
plans. I want to be the best leader/manger possible and I realize that in order to be able to do so, I need a better understanding of
the various facets of management; the interlink ages between different functional areas and between different business entities.
Equally important, I need further training in research methodology.
I would love to be accepted into the College of Business at ASU University for many reasons. I have heard about the
Master program in Business Administration from my undergrad professors and am impressed with the emphasis placed on
technical and analytical skills, general management orientation and rigorous research methodology. The faculty's reputation for
excellent teaching, challenging coursework and the excellent facilities are added attractions. Once a Golden Ram is always a
Golden Ram
I hope that the admissions committee find my background and strengths commensurate with the requirements of
Albany State University Master program in Business Administration (with a concentration in Healthcare).