Her Story
About Novia
Novia Ingraham is a dedicated Communication Specialist/Customer Service Representative with Broward County Public Schools, where she continues to make a positive impact by delivering exceptional service, building strong relationships, and supporting the needs of students, families, staff, and the community. With nearly two decades of experience in customer service and communication, Novia has developed a reputation for professionalism, compassion, and her ability to effectively resolve concerns while creating positive experiences for those she serves. Prior to joining Broward County Public Schools, she built a strong foundation in healthcare customer service as a Communication Specialist with the North Broward Hospital District, where her outstanding performance earned her recognition as a Shining Star of the Quarter and Brightest Star of 2019.
Throughout her career, Novia has demonstrated exceptional skills in client relations, conflict resolution, and compassionate communication. In her current role with Broward County Public Schools and throughout her previous healthcare experience, she has specialized in assisting individuals with concerns, listening attentively to their needs, and connecting them with the appropriate resources and solutions. She attributes her professional success to her ability to relate to people, remain patient in challenging situations, and provide support with sincerity and understanding. Novia believes that great customer service is not only about solving problems but also about making people feel valued, respected, and heard.
Novia’s commitment to service excellence was shaped early in her career after completing college in Jamaica, West Indies, where she received hospitality training from a family friend who managed hotels within the Jamaica Tourist Industry. This experience strengthened her passion for helping others and developing meaningful connections. In addition to her customer service career, Novia brings extensive experience in healthcare support, including roles as a Baby Doula, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Home Health Aide, as well as entrepreneurial experience owning and operating a janitorial service. She holds certificates in Medical Dental Office Assisting and Pharmacy Technology from Ashworth College and training in Food and Beverage Cost Control from Montego Bay Community College. Guided by values of honesty, integrity, and compassion, Novia encourages young professionals to remain authentic, work with their hearts, and treat every person as they would want to be treated.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Novia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my skills in relating to people. For example, when I come across a very upset client or customer or parent, I try to listen to their concerns and do my best to calm them and give them the help they're looking for. There are times when they say they're getting the runaround and are tired of speaking to so many people, so I just stay on until they get the help and then turn them over to the appropriate help.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to be mean, be honest, sincere, be punctual, and try to deal with things to the best of my ability. And if there's something that I am not sure of, ask, because that's how you learn.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to them, listen, be you. Work with your hearts, and not your faces. Pretend as if you're the person looking for help. And in the end, you will give them whatever they're looking for, because you're the person seeking help. Just pretend, and things will work on. It's better for you and for the person you're trying to deal with.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is when someone tells me that they've been trying to sort something out for over 2 weeks. It hurts, because if you're on the other side searching for the help you need, I'm sure you would need the answer right away. For me to sit there and just see someone being pushed over or tossed here or there and still don't get the help they're looking for.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are to accomplish what I've started working towards. If I'm in customer service and there's something that a client is not happy with, to take the time out to see how best I could help them, and to make them happy, to make their day successful and progressive.
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