Matt Snodgrass
Class of 2006

The health services administration major at the University of Evansville ensures that students gain real-world experience. For Matt Snodgrass, those experiences helped him determine his career path. "Health services administration is a diverse program that allows you to explore numerous areas of health care. The courses provide the foundation and theory for the operational framework implemented by most health care facilities, and they help you discover your area of interest."

Matt's first job after graduation was in purchasing for an area hospital, where he devoted his time to finding cost-saving measures. "I dealt with contract negotiation, ensuring we stayed in compliance, and evaluated vendors, distributors, and projects in order to decrease costs without jeopardizing quality." Matt credits his internship at St. Edmonds Care Home in England with paving the way to securing this job. "During my internship, I helped design a patient, employee, and vendor satisfaction measurement system. It was rewarding to assist the practice manager in developing and implementing this system."

Jamie Preston
Class of 2003

When Jamie Preston was searching for a university, she wanted an atmosphere that encouraged learning, a competitive Division I swim team to join, and a school size which would allow for the type of faculty interaction she craved as a student. "I found all of these at Evansville. The environment at UE is more about quality than quantity. I know the small classes provided me the very best opportunities for learning."

Jamie embraced the internships and field experience placements as chances to explore the professional areas that interested her. She worked with the insurance department of a physician's office, in the management office of a hospital, and with the head administrator of a nursing home. What she learned surprised her. "Rather than convince me of what I wanted to do after college, these placements made me realize that I wanted to explore even more professions related to my degree."

After graduating in May 2003, Jamie began working as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Eli Lilly and Company, expanding her knowledge of the health care industry once again. "I'm proof of how many career options a degree in health services administration can give you."