Ever meet someone who seems to have a great job and wonder how the heck they got it? Did they just apply to an employment ad “cold turkey?” Were they promoted to the position from within? Did they find out about the job by networking with peers? Did they have an inside track through a friend or coworker?
We wondered about that ourselves — and to find out, we turned to a few of our Specialty Section chairs and asked them how they landed the positions they have today. Here’s what they had to say —
Karla Smith, BSRT, RRT, RPSGT
Sleep Center Coordinator, St. Alexis Medical Center, Bismarck, ND
“I was asked to apply for the job by the director of the respiratory care department. I like to think it was my ability to work hard and my people skills. I did not know at the time I got the job, but communication is so important when you are trying to talk to patients, families, and health care providers about the services you provide and how those services will help change lives for the better.”
Bill Cohagen, MSHCA, RRT, FAARC
Manager of Respiratory Care Services, Salem Health, Salem, OR
“Networking with my peers at the AARC Congress and on the Management Section discussion list was how I got my job. Sometimes it is not what you know, it is who you know.”
Matt O’Brien, MS, RRT, RPFT
Manager, Pulmonary Diagnostics Lab, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI
“I was already working here when the previous manager departed for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. It was a matter of right-place, right-time, and effective communication. I was an internal candidate, so the biggest factor in getting the job was speaking up early and making it clear that I could do the job.”
Natalie Napolitano, MPH, RRT-NPS, FAARC
Research Clinical Specialist, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
“Networking at the AARC Congress in Tampa. I knew the director from prior meetings and she knew what I was looking for in a job and thought this would be a good fit.”
Joe Sorbello, MEd, RT, RRT
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Respiratory Therapy Education, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
“My comprehensive long service and high performance in my previous positions and roles in the department, college, and university, plus community service at the local, state, and national levels prepared me for my present job. I had directed my efforts over the years to demonstrate that I had the leadership qualities and accomplishments necessary, including outstanding teaching, community service, and scholarly work.”
Lorraine Bertuola, BA, RRT
Director of Clinical Services-Respiratory, Respiratory Health Services/Genesis Rehab Services, Middletown, DE
“An ad in a magazine led me to the position. Experience was the key to me getting the job.”
