Alumni Spotlight: Ivana Ndege

See past spotlights: https://z.umn.edu/PsyFeaturedAlum
A headshot of Ivana Ndege

Ivana Ndege (she/her)

  • Major: PSY BS (Spring 2023)
  • Position: Unit Operations Coordinator
  • Employer: Children’s MN

What is your work like? What are your duties?

I support indirect patient care and the overall flow of the unit. I mainly welcome patients and families to the unit, coordinate admissions, discharges, and transfers. Additionally, I prepare paperwork for upcoming shifts, direct tasks to our teams, and handle call traffic. Furthermore, I am also a point of contact for help with issues related to tech and our charting system. 

How would you say your psychology degree has helped you with your current job?

My psychology degree gave me a better understanding of experiences and perspectives outside my own. Health Psychology, Psych of Stress & Trauma, and public health courses I took as part of my degree have helped me establish meaningful relationships and approach problem-solving in ways that best support patients and their families.

In what way has your major complemented your current job?

The skills I learned as a research assistant play a significant role in my career—the critical thinking and analytical skills help me find solutions more effectively. For reference, I worked with graduate student Rina Horii under Dr. Traci Mann’s Health and Eating Laboratory. Majoring in psychology has also shown me the importance of innovation, which has been helpful when addressing new challenges or projects. Every day is different, and I’m able to quickly adapt and use my resources as things come up. 

How did you find your current position? 

I found my current position on LinkedIn. During my postgrad job search, LinkedIn and Handshake were the most helpful in finding opportunities and connecting with people who share similar career interests. I also used CLA career resources to help update my resume and prepare for interviews.

What advice do you have for our current psych students and recent grads?

Build your network and get hands-on experience! Whether you get involved in student groups, research, internships, shadowing, etc. As someone who is wrapping up her gap year and applying for grad school, gaining experience in areas that interest me have been crucial in deciding which program and career I want to pursue. Before starting my degree, I was so certain I wanted to become a psychiatrist. However, having been exposed to different opportunities that align with my passions, I’m headed down a different path in healthcare administration. Additionally, having mentors and building professional connections has been eye-opening. It led me to opportunities I would not have known about otherwise. As a psychology major, you are learning skills that are the foundation of most careers. Applying what you are learning to the real world can guide you in ways that might surprise you.

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