麻豆果冻传媒

When Rachel Patterson of Wartrace, Tennessee, took an internship while earning her bachelor鈥檚 from 麻豆果冻传媒 in professional studies with a concentration in healthcare administration, she was energized to see what a difference she could make.

鈥淚 know a lot of people in healthcare avoid administration, but I want that to change. I want to be the person that they can come to and love working with,鈥� Patterson said. 鈥淎fter I took an internship at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System-Winchester, I realized this was a career that I wanted to pursue after I saw how they were changing healthcare for the better. It really inspired me.鈥�

She says she first came to Tech for her bachelor鈥檚 because of the atmosphere and location.

鈥淢y brother and sister-in-law both came to Tech, so I had visited a few times. I didn鈥檛 even go on a campus tour because I already knew I loved the atmosphere, the size of the campus and Cookeville.鈥�

After earning her bachelor鈥檚, Patterson decided she wanted to advance in her career and make the most impact possible with her work. She returned to Tech for her master鈥檚 in professional studies with a concentration in healthcare administration. Pursuing her master鈥檚 degree remotely has helped her keep her GPA at a 4.0 while also having time for a job, family and friends. She is working as a graduate assistant in Tech鈥檚 University Advancement.

鈥淲orking as a graduate assistant has helped me gain a lot of experience that I am going to be using in my career someday,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has also helped pay for almost all of my grad school tuition. I would recommend any grad student to work as a graduate assistant if they are able to.鈥�

She encouraged anyone thinking of pursuing their master鈥檚 to do so and to keep pushing through.

鈥淭here are going to be times when you will want to give up, but getting your master鈥檚 will make it worthwhile in the end,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like getting my master鈥檚 is going to help me reach the dream that I have always desired and that is making a difference in healthcare. I am so passionate about being the best I can be to make a difference to others.鈥�

 When Patterson graduates, she will be the first person in her family to receive a master鈥檚 degree.

鈥淚 had a lot of people that doubted me along the way but I have never been so proud of myself for pushing through and achieving my goals,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is an amazing feeling. I have come to love 麻豆果冻传媒 and Cookeville has become my home away from home over the last few years. I would recommend this program and this university to anybody.鈥�