HealthSherpa strongly believes in creating inclusive, equitable areas, which construct belief, respect and a way of belonging which can be crucial to our tradition and work. We’re excited to characteristic our colleagues and listen to extra about their experiences at HealthSherpa, from their first touchpoints all the best way as much as their tenure and development. On this publish, hear from Coverage Specialist Zoid Finch, who shares how they joined HealthSherpa, what they’ve realized of their time right here, and their passions exterior of their work.
In December 2019, I moved from Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento with my three fantastic companions. We determined that Sacramento was the place we needed to purchase a home and put down roots for our future. Again in Arizona, I labored as an environmental educator on the Phoenix Zoo for 3 years in varied positions, so my unique plan was to get an identical job right here. I interviewed on the Sacramento Zoo for his or her summer time camp program, and a pair days later they closed to guests for the foreseeable future because of the pandemic.
I spent most of 2020 unsure about my profession, and so I began increasing my job search. Certainly one of my companions really heard about HealthSherpa via a assist group, and I used to be eager to work at an organization that already had trans and non-binary staff with constructive experiences working there.
I used to be first employed on as a seasonal Shopper Advocate in August of 2020, after which was provided a full-time place on the finish of Open Enrollment. In August of 2021, I used to be promoted to my present function as Coverage Specialist.
Earlier than working at HealthSherpa, I couldn’t say that I used to be notably captivated with healthcare or well being protection. I’d undoubtedly agree that it’s necessary for everybody to have entry to healthcare, however I by no means thought concerning the specifics. As soon as I began serving to customers enroll in medical insurance via the Inexpensive Care Act, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I used to be happening web rabbit holes to grasp points that have been impacting customers I spoke to, just like the household glitch, protection exclusions, Medicaid growth, and a lot extra.
When I’m confronted with a query, I not solely need to work out the reply, but additionally why that’s the reply. I need to see the connections – the forest in addition to the bushes that make it up. And I’m so lucky to work at an organization that acknowledged this in me, and provided me my present function to match my pursuits.
Variety, fairness, and inclusion are baked into the tradition at HealthSherpa. It’s not reserved for an annual presentation or workshop, after which we revert to “enterprise as standard” for the remainder of the 12 months – it’s really a part of what makes HealthSherpa completely different from some other place I’ve labored. DEI right here will not be a mission with a end line, however a worth that I see the corporate engaged on day by day.
A part of the interview course of right here assesses values alignment. From my expertise, the recruiting group and hiring managers need to make it possible for new hires will contribute positively to the tradition and work setting.
My companions and I’ve a small enterprise the place we design and promote artwork in varied varieties. I crochet fidget toys, keychains, and different enjoyable issues like aliens and endangered animals. Recently, we’ve been collaborating in additional occasions as a vendor and have been assembly different queer and disabled artists in our group. We use our artwork to advocate for marginalized teams and causes that we care about, and it’s truthfully been extremely therapeutic to search out native areas that remember creators from marginalized communities.
