September 2016

September 2016
Michelle Golden

(BA, Broadcast Journalism, '11)

Q & A:

• What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
  My fondest memory of Hofstra is meeting and connecting with so many people that have influenced my life in different ways. From the professors who guided me through my four years academically, to the connections I made by joining a sorority, to the hands-on career training I received at my internship. I'll never be able to replace those invaluable experiences.
• What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned there?
  My first job after graduating from Hofstra was as a communications specialist for a statewide anti-hunger organization called Hunger Solutions New York. While my degree was in journalism, it made me appreciate the well-rounded curriculum that I received while at Hofstra, as the position was a combination of journalism and public relations. I never thought that I would find myself working in the public sector when I graduated, but working for Hunger Solutions New York opened my eyes to other career paths. Being able to give back to the community was so valuable to me.
• What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
  I would say my field of specialty is in communications. That answer, however, definitely varies depending on the day. In the communications field today, I think it is very important to be a jack of all trades. Because of my experience at previous jobs, it was an easy and seamless transition to project management, as it requires many of the same core values and skill sets.
• What advice would you give Hofstra students?
  I would tell Hofstra students to take advantage of as many extracurricular activities and internships related to their field of study as possible. My internship at WABC Channel 7 in NYC was the one most influential aspects of my time at Hofstra. It gave me a hands-on look into what my future as a reporter could have been like. While my career path took me in a different direction, I think my time involved with NewsWatch 35, Hofstra News Now, and my internship taught me skills that I still use today.
• In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
  Opportunity.
• What do you enjoy most about your job?
  What I love most about my job is that New York state is leading the charge across the country for health care system transformation. Being able to be in the center of the action in the project management office during this groundbreaking time is so exciting. There's something new and different happening every day; new challenges, new ideas, it's just amazing to be a part of such a great team.
• What are some skills you need in order to be successful at your job?
  Organization, time management, and innovation are the key to project management and overall job success. Project management, especially in the health care field, has so many moving parts and hard deadlines. It's important to keep people on track, while at the same time being innovative in solving hurdles when they arise.
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the health care industry today?
  The biggest challenge facing the health care industry today is changing culture and attitudes of those within and utilizing health care. Our delivery and payment system hasn't evolved in the last 50 years, leading to health care models that pay for volume instead of value. We have been led to believe that more is always better. But in health care, that might not always be the case. We are now realizing that value-driven health care, where we keep people healthier and out of hospitals and on less medication, will lead not only to better outcomes, but also to lower costs. Fundamentally changing ideologies has caused disruptive innovation within the health care industry, leading providers to adapt by taking on new strategies for service delivery and new payment methodologies.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see your career progressing in the future?
  It's hard to say where I'll be in the next five years, let alone the next 10. Health care is such a rapidly changing field. I hope to remain working in this exciting and changing industry, but in what capacity remains to be known.