I bet on myself and took the leap to change my career, and the journey has been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.
I worked at Quest Diagnostics for more than 12 years as a phlebotomist. I loved my job. I always wanted to work in healthcare and loved connecting with and helping our patients. I had amazing coworkers who were dedicated to patient care. And I worked with a talented and caring group of people on both the operations and sales teams.
I had no intention of changing careers, but a unique opportunity planted the seed that maybe I could explore a new position within Quest that would be equally rewarding.
A couple of years ago, I was chosen to attend a special customer service learning and development event for customer-facing employees hosted by Quest. Not only did we learn how to deliver superior customer service, but we had the opportunity to interact with senior leaders from across the company. This included our CEO Jim Davis. He said something that inspired me to think about pursuing a career change within the company. When discussing my interest in growth opportunities, he said to me: “Do something about it.” This stayed with me when I came back home.
This experience—meeting leaders, sharing new ideas, and exploring possibilities—showed me that growth doesn’t happen unless you actively pursue it.
I came home and started talking to my colleagues about joining the Commercial team. I enrolled in school to pursue my bachelor’s degree. I always believed school wasn’t for me, so pursuing a bachelor’s degree felt overwhelming and almost impossible. But once I committed to the goal, I learned how to manage my time, stay disciplined, and remain focused. And Quest’s education assistance program made going back to school attainable.
Now, a year and a half after attending that event, I have my degree and a new position on the Commercial team. I’m most proud of having the courage to bet on myself. From running a high-performing Patient Service Center to returning to school—something I once believed I couldn’t do—and ultimately graduating with my bachelor’s degree, every step reflects persistence and growth.
It wasn’t easy, but staying clear on why I was doing it made all the difference. Joining the Commercial team and loving what I do today makes that journey even more meaningful. And I know my journey is not over. I plan to keep learning, seeking mentorship, and staying curious so I can contribute at a higher level and support Quest’s long-term growth.
Are you interested in a career at Quest? Explore our career areas where you will empower better health through our cutting-edge technology, alongside creative and innovative people at http://careers.questdiagnostics.com
Your Privacy Choices