Marshall University: Turning internships into job offers
In today’s fast-paced world, a hands-on learning experience is essential before you graduate. Companies are looking for expert candidates, and practical training gives you a competitive edge. This is especially true in the healthcare industry, where real-world skills are crucial to providing quality care and ensuring safety. It’s something Dr. Yasaswini Vignan from India was well aware of.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in dentistry in India, Vignan signed up for a Master of Science in Health Informatics at the AACSB-accredited Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business. She recognized that the healthcare industry is becoming increasingly tech-driven, and combining her background in dentistry with expertise in health informatics would open up new opportunities for her and help solve complex healthcare challenges.
Among the many business schools she could have gone to, why Marshall?
“I decided to study here because of the university’s emphasis on practical learning and its strong connections with the healthcare industry,” Vignan says. “Marshall’s commitment to fostering innovation in health informatics and its diverse academic environment made it an ideal choice for me.”
Ranked among the Best Business Schools in the Southeast and #9 for competitive MBA students, Marshall’s Business School offers a dynamic environment focused on experiential learning and external engagement. This approach helps students like Vignan gain real-world skills to excel in their fields and become standout professionals in West Virginia and beyond.
The Lewis College of Business provides innovative education and hands-on experiences to prepare students for success as business professionals. Source: Marshall University
Using health informatics to improve patient care
Inspired by her clinical practice in India, Vignan chose the Health Informatics program. “I observed the inefficiencies in managing electronic health records (EHR) and saw the potential for technology to streamline healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes,” she says.
The program, the only one of its kind in West Virginia, offers a blend of healthcare and technology to improve healthcare services and management. As a STEM-designated program, it is tailored to prepare students for the growing intersection of healthcare and technology, making it an ideal fit for clinicians and technicians looking to expand their expertise in both areas.
Vignan found great value in courses like “Health Information Systems” and “Data Analytics in Healthcare,” which gave her a deep understanding of healthcare data standards, interoperability, and advanced analytics techniques. These courses played a key role in shaping her career direction, spurring her to pursue an internship in Revenue Cycle Management.
Benefiting from hands-on learning experience
One of the program’s standout features is its focus on real-world experience. Students apply what they learn in internships at academic, government, and industry levels. The Health Informatics Practicum (HIN 650) requires students to complete at least 400 hours of hands-on work, offering valuable exposure to practical challenges and career-building opportunities.
“Marshall University prepared me for my internship by offering a curriculum focused on real-world applications and providing access to industry-relevant tools like SQL, Power BI, and EHR systems,” Vignan says.
The fusion of academic rigor and real-world exposure helps Marshall University’s Lewis School of Business students to stand out in their internship and job applications. Source: Marshall University
As a Revenue Cycle Intern at OVP Health, she assisted the team in managing claims, analyzing revenue data, and optimizing billing processes. “This role allowed me to combine my technical and analytical skills to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s goals,” she says.
However, Vignan also faced challenges — one of the biggest being understanding the complexities of US healthcare reimbursement policies, which were very different from what she had encountered in India. To overcome this, she dedicated time to studying policies and sought guidance from her mentors. “Collaborating closely with my colleagues and leveraging my analytical skills helped me adapt quickly and excel in my role,” she says.
Courses like “Healthcare Data Standards and Interoperability” provided a strong foundation for navigating complex EHR systems, while advice from a faculty mentor proved pivotal. “He advised me to focus on honing my communication skills to effectively present my insights during the internship, which proved invaluable,” Vignan says.
Valuable skills and connections gained
During her internship, Vignan developed many skills, including SQL for data extraction, Power BI for analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), and effective communication for collaborating with her team. She also honed her problem-solving abilities by addressing workflow inefficiencies in claims processing.
To build her professional network, she actively participated in team meetings, asked insightful questions, and volunteered for additional responsibilities. She sought feedback from her supervisors, which improved her work and helped build strong relationships with industry professionals. Networking events organized by OVP Health further expanded her connections, giving her a broader perspective on the industry.
Currently, Vignan is focused on finding opportunities in healthcare analytics and revenue cycle management. She is confident she will land her dream role soon.
“Marshall University provided me with the technical foundation, problem-solving skills, and confidence to pursue challenging opportunities in the healthcare field,” she says. “The combination of academic rigor and real-world exposure enabled me to stand out during my internship and in job applications.”
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