Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Erica Benning
Special Assistant to the Secretary – Acting Director Bureau of Healthcare
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of Corrections
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA with Healthcare Concentration
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of Corrections.
When I started my MBA journey, I worked for the PA Department of Corrections in the Bureau of Administration as a Fiscal Management Specialist 4. I was responsible for the overall management of the medical, education, and field supervision appropriation. In addition, my responsibilities included the fiscal management of medical contracts and budgets for all appropriations each fiscal year. In April of 2021, in anticipation of my graduation, I received a promotion to Special Assistant to the Secretary as Acting Director Bureau of Healthcare. I am now responsible for the management of all medical departments within 24 State Correctional Institutions. This includes financial reviews, compliment reviews, and policy reviews.
WHY WERE YOU LOOKING TO GET AN MBA?:
I was looking to get my MBA to gain better knowledge on running a healthcare organization as a CEO and to better my career. Also, I’m a single mother and wanted to show my daughter that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to your goals.
DID YOU FIND THE CURRICULUM WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE? PLEASE EXPLAIN.:
I have been able to apply all the concepts that I have learned during the program to my job. Most, if not all, of the projects I completed I have shared at work. I used real-life examples from my job, and this has helped me earn a leadership role. My most essential learnings from the program include understanding my leadership style and using my skills for people management, effective communication, and running a healthcare organization. Along with these skills, implementing Jack’s best practices to achieve big ideas has helped me grow in my career.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?:
During my MBA journey, I was working full-time and was also a full-time single mom. To navigate this challenge, I used my work lunch hour to read material for the week. I would try and stay ahead of readings each week, so I could work ahead. For example, on Sunday, when I responded to classmates on the discussion board, I would review the material for the next week and start the next discussion questions. I would always print out the course syllabus with all projects and responsibilities. I would then start projects a week or two in advance. I completed most of my research and reading during lunch breaks, and I completed discussion questions/projects at night. I kept this strategy and timeline for each class.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?:
- I felt rewarded when I completed a project, and the professor used it as an example to the other students in the class to show an Honors-grade project. Some of the other students contacted me, and they stated they didn’t understand the project, and seeing my example gave them a clear idea of the project and how to obtain a high mark
- I felt rewarded when my professor submitted my name to give my experience as a Winning Voice.
- My most rewarding experience was earning a 4.0 GPA as recognition of that hard work.
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