Career prospects coming into focus for dual degree student

Dec. 2, 2024 ― DENTON ― There wasn’t one particular career aha moment for Haydee (pronounced Heidi) Madrigal. 

 The Texas Woman’s graduate student just recalls various times when she was working the late shift at Cook Children’s emergency room during COVID-19,  that she thought: “life is short. I need to get moving.” 

Madrigal had hit the ceiling, career-wise, as a pharmacy technician. She knew she couldn’t move forward without more education.

“I just wanted more for my life,” Madrigal recalled. 

So, at the age of 34, she went back to school. 

“I was one of those people that had credits from my community college but I was short a few classes,” Madrigal said. “I started taking classes here and there. And once that happened, I just got the ball rolling.”

In just four years, Madrigal finished an associate’s degree, earned a bachelor’s degree and is one year into the Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration dual degree at Texas Woman’s.

“I think before, I got in my own way a lot,” Madrigal said. “Now, I know I can do it. I wanted to keep the momentum going, so I didn't take any breaks. I’m just going, going, going until it’s done.”

Madrigal’s hard work quickly paid off. A few months after she finished her BBA in August 2023, she earned a promotion as a program manager. The position requires a bachelor’s degree.

“The people in my department are so incredibly intelligent,” Madrigal said. “I think that also might have contributed for me to just jump into the master’s…There is also a confidence aspect. I don’t ever want to feel less than. Especially with something I can control, like education.” 

Since Madrigal worked full time, all of her classes have been online, which sometimes can be a lonely experience, especially for an extrovert like Madrigal. At TWU, she is having a better experience. 

“I feel like I have made incredible connections with students,” Madrigal said. “I applied to be in the leadership team at SHAO (Student Healthcare Administration Organization) and I’m a secretary with them. I just don’t feel alone. I don’t feel like I’m in it by myself.”

One of her highlights at TWU has been the Health Care Administration program’s new immersion sequence, which launched in Fall 2024. The sequence is a series of three courses that require students to complete coursework online prior to required attendance on a TWU campus or another off-site field case location for up to three intermittent days. The in-person classes are highly interactive and designed in a workshop format that uses a variety of hands-on exercises, teamwork and case study.

HCA program director Carla Stebbins says that, like other programs, TWU’s MHA program did not escape the challenge of COVID-19. The MHA program moved completely online during that time, and many working students enjoyed the benefits. 

However, there are some aspects of healthcare management that are difficult to develop in an online program, Stebbins said. She noted faculty have reported students struggling with presentation skills, networking, teamwork and even self-confidence. 

“The immersion sequence provides the perfect blend of in-person and online classes,” Stebbins said. “They allow students to come to campus and further develop leadership skills.” 

Madrigal thoroughly enjoyed the in-person interactions with students and faculty. One thing that Stebbins said during a presentation really clicked with her. 

“She said that every class is like a branch of healthcare,” Madrigal said. “So, pay attention to what you like and don’t like because that could be something that you could see your future career in.” 

Madrigal is curious about what her calling will be. Overall, she is interested in learning as much as she can and seeing where it takes her. 

Even though Madrigal fell into the healthcare management field, she has found her career rewarding. She started working at the Walgreens cosmetics counter at age 20, moved over to the pharmacy and steadily advanced to senior pharmacy technician. When she heard there was an opening at Cook’s, she quickly applied and currently works in their finance department. 

Madrigal is proud of how far she has come. 

“I never thought I would graduate with my bachelor’s and I did,”  Madrigal said. “A master’s is beyond my wildest dreams.”