Her Story
About LaShelia
I've been in my field for about 12 years now. I had just got back in the work field from a medical issue, and I was searching for a job. I love helping others - I'm a very selfless person, so the pay was pretty good as well, but I stayed in that field because I just get joy from helping others. I mostly work with Medicare members, and working with older members brings me much joy. They remind me of my grandmother. I like being there for them and making sure that they have everything they need and understand the process of what they're going through when searching for insurance or trying to understand their benefits. My most notable professional achievement is when I was selected to be a team lead right out of training. Unfortunately, around that time I had a medical mishap, so I had to leave that position and I was out of work for like 3 years. But I started back working, and for the past 4 years I've been with Conduit. I assist members in their time of need through health insurance when they're trying to get claims paid, searching for providers, or if they're just finding out their cancer diagnosis and they're needing further assistance. I get the process started, getting them connected with care managers and calling the provider's office to make sure that everything is running smoothly via the insurance as well as the providers, so there won't be any delays in their care.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with LaShelia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mother and my little sister. I lost my mom at a very young age, the age of 11. And also, my little sister, because I got to lead by example. I don't have any kids of my own, but I did take full custody of my little sister when she was 3. She's graduating on May 20th, so she's gonna be entering into young adulthood. She's turning 18 on May 21st. That's a big achievement for me. My time is spent making sure she's well ready for the world.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is that you're never too old to learn. Even when you've been in your field for a long time, or just as a life lesson, you're never too old to learn, and to always be open to new ideas, because that helps you grow, and it doesn't keep you stagnant or in a stagnant place in your life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay patient. Never give up, and always show empathy and put yourself in their shoes, and in the shoes of your loved ones. Because when you're over the phone and you're getting frustrated, that could be you on the other end, or that could be your mother that you're not showing concern for. So always just do what's right. Put your best foot forward, and have patience. Show grit, and never lose yourself. That'd be my advice to anyone - just never give up.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field would be, especially for healthcare, because we have open enrollment, I find that a lot of people cannot handle the pressure of all the calls that's coming in, or all the issues that come along with open enrollment. And the challenges are just all of the changes that comes with the procedures. It's an ever-changing environment, so you have to just be ready and willing to learn the information.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is always number one in my personal life. God and family for me, because I'm more of the spiritual side - I'm a spiritual person. So just keeping faith, and keeping family, and doing what's right. For work, it's always putting your best foot forward, giving it your all, and integrity. That's a big one for me - integrity. Because it's one thing to do right when someone's watching, but it's a bigger thing to do when no one is. Or doing something just knowing you're not gonna get recognition for it, but just knowing you did it yourself brings me joy.
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