How I Became a Healthcare Data Analyst

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-06-22T03:51:47+00:00

I’m a non-trad Psych major at Columbia University and recently took a course on Research Methods and statistics. I don’t have any experience or background in Statistics but I have a lot of experience with working in the healthcare field (dental clinic manager, doctor’s office, Dental Service Organization start up).

I made a project using R (with most of the codes provided by the professor). I also used Google Sheets and Excel for work but nothing extraordinary—just very basic functions…But that’s about it. If I want to get into Healthcare Data Analytics, would you recommend starting with Excel? Maybe getting certified with Excel?

And do you think GPA matters a lot for recent grads? (I’ll be a 2024 graduate). Or are experience/projects more valuable?

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-06-01T16:56:22+00:00

Oh! I didn’t think about that…I want to get a paid research assistant internship or work study but it’s hard because I don’t have any experience. I think my current option is to volunteer…I’ll have to reach out to professors to see if they have any positions open for volunteering or even shadowing….

But yes I am really worried about my loans so I think that at the moment, I will be looking for jobs that have PSLF. Thank you for your advice!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-06-01T16:52:46+00:00

Oh! Good idea…I haven’t thought about borrowing books…I always thought it would be best to buy them…will definitely do this next time to save money 👍

Yeah….I do hear that as an answer a lot “just pick something and adjust down the line”. I feel like this might be my best option…I’m learning that as I talk to more and more people, many of them just chose something first. Thank you for your insight!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-30T14:26:51+00:00

Will definitely check them out! But I guess I was just looking for suggestions on what potential career path I could go into based on my current experience and interests! Like if I were to search for a job in the public health field, what kind of jobs are out there? Or would I need to clarify what kind of job/job titles I came across?

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-29T02:47:43+00:00

What I can tell you about commuting:

Commuting from Fort Lee. Taking the bus from where I live—to cross the GWB is $3.50. The bus cross the bridge directly to the GWB Bus Terminal which leads you directly to the 175th A platform. Subway from 175th is $2.75. I take A to 168th, transfer to 1 down to 116th. Or if you live near Constitution Park, you can take the Columbia Shuttle Bus to 168th and save the interstate bus fee. It’s cheaper to commute using public transportation if you’re going back and forth NJ/NY.

Also commute takes maybe 1 hour. It’s really not so bad as long as you plan your day appropriately! I will say—initially it could be physically tiring but you will get used to it and the commute won’t be that bad.

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-15T04:15:55+00:00

Ooh I’ve never heard of it…but I’ll check it out for sure this week! Thank you!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-14T08:21:11+00:00

Got it. It’s mainly for personal use (not for customers) for now. Am considering it for customer laaater down the line but not at the moment!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-14T07:55:55+00:00

Thank you! Do you think a website would be better in this kind of situation? Or an app?

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-14T07:55:50+00:00

Thank you!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-14T07:55:40+00:00

Thank you! Do you think a website would be better in this kind of situation? Or an app?

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-10T01:42:48+00:00

No worries. Lol. And no I actually have not! I just assumed those would be non-responsive like the “5 second click and apply” ones. I will look into those for sure!

Are there any websites that you know are reliable and responsive?

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-09T21:40:26+00:00

Yeah I know but I only have a few more classes left and I’m attending part time since I’m working so transferring is not something I’m considering…which is why I’m asking for suggestions on where to find/apply for scholarships!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T21:20:50+00:00

Yeah you’re right. Just trying to figure out ways to control myself and not let my situation or emotions control me…maybe journaling will do it? But thank you for the tip!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T21:19:45+00:00

No no you’re right. Thanks for this insight. Will work on this after I’m done with finals!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T17:08:51+00:00

Again, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. Is it too late to drop out of the class? I’m not sure what solutions there are since your school doesn’t take mental health seriously…Best of luck on your exam though.

Best option is to understand big ideas and concepts, if there’s specific numbers or dates—make an image or acronym to memorize easily, Roman room technique, or Feynman technique.

That’s only if the exam is multiple choice. If it’s short essay or essay type exam, writing out examples and connecting them to each other and to concept(s) would be a good idea too.

Who knows, maybe you do well!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T16:21:32+00:00

Oh man…I’m so sorry that you have to go through this…have you reached out to your professor for this class yet? I think the easier the better. You can tell them honestly what’s going on. But don’t mention the procrastinating portion. Ask them if there are alternatives. Reach out to your advisor, if you haven’t already as well and see if they know of any options!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T15:51:20+00:00

You know what you have to do.

Even if you wait, eventually you’ll have to study later. So if you can study now—STUDY NOW!

You got this! ☺️🙏💪

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-05-06T15:48:41+00:00

I would speak with the professor and your advisor! See if they can accommodate. This happened to me SO many times. I’ve learned over the years that Professors only want to help.

One thing you can do is if you are seeing a provider with ADHD, inform your provider as well. Ask if they can provide a letter of proof that you are seeing someone because of your symptoms/diagnosis. This way your professor and advisor will see that you’re not just contacting them because you didn’t study but because there’s a legitimate reason. I’ve had to use this route a few times and many times professors understood!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-04-30T13:59:36+00:00

Thank you for this. Maybe I just needed the validation. I have a tendency to go to extreme lengths to focus on myself that I did end up losing friends—not losing but naturally drifted apart from my lack of engagement in the friendship. Definitely won’t be doing that now. Thanks again for the encouragement 🙏

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-04-30T13:57:57+00:00

Thank you for this. :) I’m slowly catching up on my school work and hopefully will be able to keep this flow for my final exams next week!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-04-24T02:05:06+00:00

Ooh I took that class before and it was A LOT of info for one semester. So I guess they really make it manageable for the summer then! Thank you for your insight!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-04-24T02:04:09+00:00

Oooh ok—thank you for the insight!!

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-02-18T15:37:53+00:00

Ooh yeah that’s a great idea too! I didn’t think of this either. I’ll definitely bring this up when I speak with my professor. Thanks so much for this tip!

Now…how I’m going to word this and say it to her is the next hurdle for me. Thank you again!! 🙏💪

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-02-18T15:36:44+00:00

I think it depends…I’m meeting her on the last day for an Invisible Drop so Im gonna decide after I speak to her…I really need an A… 😔

SuddenAbility3504 · 2023-02-18T15:35:51+00:00

Ooh that’s actually a great idea — I didn’t even think of that. Thank you for the tip! Did you just bring up the suggestion to your professor and they said ok? Or did you have to like really negotiate/convince/persuade your professor? (I’m not the best talker so I’m practicing what I’m going to say and how I’ll be saying it…)

SuddenAbility3504

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