Karen Bray is a Laboratory manager working at the in Williamsburg’s Sentara Medical Center. Even though she wanted to pursue a career in organic chemistry, her education path took a different dimension as she enrolled into a Lab Assistant Training program (SLA) at a general hospital for a period of twelve months. After the training, she practiced as a laboratory technician for a period of eighteen years, before deciding to go back to her initial dream of studying organic chemistry. She enrolled at a university and successfully completed the curriculum and was awarded with a Bachelors degree in organic chemistry.
Thereafter she enrolled in Eastern Virginia Medical School in the Public Health graduate program and in 1999; she was awarded with a master in Public Health (MPH). After completion, she set out to apply for management positions at the hospital but on two occasions, she was refused the positions. Despite these setbacks, she aimed at improving her managerial skills by venturing into various departments of the hospital and in 2004, this paid off as she was awarded a management position. Currently she is in charge of 100 employees at three distinct locations with over 200 in house laboratory tests being carried out daily.
Ms. Barry reiterated that as managers we should learn to cultivate cordial relationship with patients, colleagues and students. This should be done with highest level of professionalism and dignity. She stressed on the benefits of taking into practice all the eight attributes of managers in dealing with issues on a daily basis. As a good manager, one should always be willing to listen to others and to consistently give others a chance to express themselves even though some may be difficult to deal with at times, she said. Ms. Barry emphasized the importance of face-to-face meetings with any one who seeks audience be it a student, colleague or a client.
On interviews, Ms. Barry reiterated the importance of good mannerisms when one is attending interviews. These included maintenance of eye contact especially when conversing with the interviewer and the importance of inquiring about issues to show an interest in the particular career. In addition, she talked of the difficulties of management in the work place and the benefits of etiquette when dealing with all types of people.
The interview with Ms. Barry was thought provoking and enlightening as learned that in life there setbacks that may seem hard to overcome but with persistence, we will come out victorious. Furthermore, as modern day managers we should cultivate people skills and treat others the way we would want them to treat us.