FACES OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

The professional development initiatives provided by Los Angeles County have played a significant role in my career advancement and skill enhancement.

Being part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services - LA General Medical Center has been instrumental in my professional growth. The department offers access to a wide range of professional development resources, including Udemy courses covering topics such as project management, communication skills, and data analysis.

Working as the Director of Volunteer Services has been incredibly fulfilling, especially nurturing the next generation of health leaders! Through dedicated volunteer programs, I've had the privilege to mentor countless youths, igniting their passion for healthcare and empowering them to pursue higher education. Witnessing their growth from eager students to capable professionals has been immensely rewarding.

The County provides numerous professional development opportunities, including project management courses and soft skills training. I have earned Lean Six Sigma certificates from Udemy, and I served as a County Management Fellow, gaining hands-on management training in the CalFresh program.

Being a Program Manager for ISD’s Delete the Divide Program is my proudest accomplishment, primarily because I've helped so many LA County residents in need. I've managed and mentored youth so they may have better career outcomes, presented on digital literacy and equity topics, partnered with private sector and non-profits, gave away free laptops, and organized events for underserved communities, including those experiencing homelessness. In this role, I've learned how to function successfully in multiple capacities as a County manager.

In addition, the County also offers great work-life balance with options for regular days off and partial remote work. This comprehensive support has been vital for my personal fulfillment.

Every day is different, and there's always something new to learn, like inspecting for device standardization in the morning and chasing butterflies in the evening!

Working at the County is a very fulfilling experience! As an Inspector, I help protect the environment and California's agriculture from invasive pests and diseases, which allows me to use my science degrees to make an impact. Working for a public service agency has allowed me to build strong professional relationships with state and federal agencies, the public, and County employees.

The skills and experiences I've gained have been invaluable! The County offers numerous learning experiences, training, and opportunities for advancement. Also, serving as an election worker, participating in Bring Your Kid to Work Day, and taking online classes have been enriching.

The most fulfilling aspect of being a County employee has been the opportunity to directly impact and improve the lives of residents within our local community. Being a County employee is more than just a job; it's a commitment to serving and improving the community we call home. It means embracing the responsibility to make a positive impact, whether through delivering essential services or fostering a sense of belonging.

The most rewarding part of my current role as a Public Administrator is being able to provide closure for families when their loved one passes away. During one of the most difficult times in a person's life, I step into the shoes of the deceased, protect their property, and administer their estate. Through my work, I provide a final resting place and close the final chapter of their book.

I created a scroll a few years ago for a little boy who decided to hold a bake sale to raise money for orphans and refugees affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Just imagining the pride in his heart at receiving acknowledgement for his deed made me very happy.

As a "behind-the-scenes" County graphic artist/calligrapher, I rarely have contact with the people and organizations that benefit from my work. Once the art leaves my hands, I have to be content knowing that it is brightening someone's day; and that is a humbling and incredible feeling.

Some would consider my medium—calligraphy—a dying art, but the County Supervisors have valued it enough to keep this small vibrant art studio alive for over 50 years. I am truly blessed to have a job with the County that allows me to continue to grow artistically and work to bring handmade art to people and organizations that are doing magnificent deeds - I'm honored to honor them! I truly LOVE coming to work!

Despite these challenges, we successfully produced an Emmy award-winning campaign that effectively communicated critical safety information to our community.

One of my most fulfilling experiences as a county employee has been working as an executive producer for the Countywide Communications team, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This campaign involved innovative methods of remote production, virtual interviews, and leveraging social media platforms to reach a wider audience.

Witnessing the positive impact of our efforts on public safety and receiving recognition for our work was incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I had the honor of producing a mini-documentary on the return of Bruce's Beach. This project was particularly meaningful as it told the story of the historic return of land to the descendants of its rightful owners, highlighting a significant moment of justice and restitution. Being part of this project allowed me to contribute to preserving and sharing an important piece of our County's history.

My most fulfilling experience as a County employee has been – and still is – serving our L.A. County population. Every role I’ve taken has emphasized stewardship of our patient populations by educating patients, implementing improvements to access to care, and striving for meaningful outcomes for patients.

LA County has been instrumental in helping me achieve my professional career goals. I've advanced from Patient Resource Worker to Assistant Hospital Administrator by utilizing tools on County and departmental SharePoint, trainings, and web-based resources for professional development. LA County’s commitment to the success of our organization through an empowered workforce reassures and motivates me daily.

For my work life balance, I’ve seen the benefits of setting boundaries, prioritizing mental and physical health, making time for activities that alleviate stress, and fostering a healthy and productive approach to my work. By adopting this balanced approach, it has not only enhanced my own wellbeing, but it has also contributed positively to my team.

Managing the Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP) Operations Center, I ensure that over 31,000 Ballot Marking Devices and other election equipment are prepared and deployed to over 600 vote centers. Ensuring each election's success is the most fulfilling experience for me as a manager and County employee.

Working for the County has allowed me to make a positive impact on the lives of Los Angeles County residents and voters. As an Information Technology Manager, I take pride in our implementation of an innovative voter-center approach - the Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP) project. The VSAP provides voters with the flexibility to vote at any voting center.

I am proud to have transformed many legacy systems into modern applications, improving accessibility, efficiency, and transparency for LA County residents. The department's focus on Agile and Lean Six-Sigma methodologies has built a culture of continuous improvement. Having a supportive work environment that values learning and innovation has encouraged me to pursue new challenges and invest in my professional growth.