I am in my final semester of MHA.  While many of my fellow MHA colleagues are going on to pursue professional careers, teaching positions, or PhDs, I have been on the hunt for a job in industry.  My goal has been to land myself in industry, which is a coming home of sorts, because I left a wonderful career in pharmaceutical development for biotech companies a number of years ago.   I’ve been networking like a fiend and through that process landed an opportunity to interview for a compelling and reputable company.  Through the networking I secured an interview, ironically, for one of the companies I previously worked for. 

I was in a series of interviews when, in my final interview, I was asked several situational questions.  The new vogue of interview questions.  It was during this interview, I was asked a question that was a pure delight to answer.  She asked, “In your current organization, what is something that you’ve really appreciated about it?” 

I was so eager to answer this question, not because I simply had a good answer, but because I had thought long and hard about the organization - the Modern Human Anatomy Program at CU Anschutz - and what I most appreciated about it.  I was delighted because I’m so grateful for the experience I have had.

 This is what I said.  

 “I’ve thought a lot about this.  My current organization has been the healthiest organization I’ve ever experienced.  I am not referring to physical health, although they certain promote that.  I am talking about the best human experience.   People are kind and respectful.  It’s a place where mutual respect is a cornerstone.  It’s fundamental to the experience.   From the baseline of respect all things are launched: education, professional development, building of collaborative relationships, personal development and so on.  It’s a place where it is safe to make mistakes, in fact err is assumed and grace is extended when one trips-up.    In addition to this health, I’ve also enjoyed the benefits of being a part of a diverse community.  We have arrived with stories that vary greatly and converge in a place of shared passion for anatomical sciences.  It’s from the foundation of mutual respect that we can learn from others whose experience is so far from our own.  These are people that open our eyes to possibilities that we cannot glean from our own experience or from people who are from our own corner of the world.   It’s a place that taught me the best possible culture to work in.  I have learned that this is the sort of environment and culture in which people can best grow into better versions of themselves - both professionally and personally.  I look forward to taking what I have learned from my experience and observations in hopes of carrying forward this environment of health into my next role.”

- Ashlee Harry, MHA Graduate, December 2023