ALUM PROFILE: Laura Virgin

The Art of Championing Change

By Jacob Ashley

Happiness and fulfillment aren’t a requirement for a job. I think anyone who has worked a single day in their lives is more than aware of this unfortunate fact. Any necessity, circumstance, and a host of responsibilities or happenings can keep us feeling stuck in a place or role antithetical to our mental and emotional well-being, and changing that reality is too often far more complex than simply picking up and leaving. Sometimes, we feel guilty for making positive moves, as the people and organizations we’re attached to count on us as integral team members. Occasionally, we’re simply frightened of any unknown over the horizon. Basically, change can be difficult and scary. But with great risk comes even greater reward, if not always monetarily, most certainly in personal growth and experience.

For Alumna Laura Virgin, Portland State University (PSU) Master of Science in Applied Data Science for Business (MSADSB) with a concentration in Human Resources Analytics (Note: now Business Enterprise Analytics), change was necessary. After a switch of focus during her time as an undergrad, she fell into a career in HR, which was not her first choice. “I just really didn’t enjoy it,” Laura says, “I liked the scientific aspect of HR analytics, being more behind the screen, not in front of people.”

How many times have you worked so hard to get somewhere only to find yourself a stranger to your actual goals? Failures are one thing: they are easy to recognize. However, a success that still leaves you hollow is another thing altogether. Having spent so long striving for something, the feeling of still being lost can be downright demoralizing. But for some, it’s just another opportunity to grow, taking whatever transferable skills they’ve learned to further build on their repertoire, just one more step to the next destination.

Laura felt she needed to pivot. She applied for an HR Analytics certificate offered through PSU but soon learned the school was rolling it into the newly coined MSADSB. Her prior application to the certificate program streamlined her admittance. She thought, “This is exactly what I’m looking for; it’s exactly what I want,” and took the opportunity.

This degree gave her the pieces to finish the puzzle. It gave her the tools she needed to make a career switch. “I learned the skills that could take me into any analytics position,” she continued, “So, when I graduated, I applied to my current position, and I got it.” The position is a business intelligence analyst at Cambia Health Solutions, where she’s worked for over two years now.

Change isn’t a guaranteed path to happiness, but any chance to take control of your destiny is a priceless opportunity. Laura says, “I’m so glad I changed my career because I’m just so much happier. Now I really enjoy what I do.” For her, it really worked out. But it took incredible courage to dedicate herself to years of self-development to secure that success, and it still wasn’t entirely ensured.

As we end our conversation, I ask Laura what advice she has for incoming students at The School of Business, and she says, “You get what you put in. If you put in a lot, you’ll get out a lot. And I think that’s the best advice I can give.” She continues, “Take advantage of every extracurricular activity. If you get overburdened, just communicate. It’s scary, but it’s incredibly worth it and rewarding.” Laura concludes with, “Use every resource. I first saw my job posting at the Career Center. We sent over my resume, and I got a call within days. They prioritized me because I came directly from PSU.”

Great advice, and some we could all follow.