Meet Anna! She recently joined our Information Technology team as a Service Desk Specialist. In 2013, Anna enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school and participated in a trial for women in infantry school. “It was the beginning of integrating women completely into combat roles and it was a lot of fun,” she recalled. After various training programs, Anna spent a year as a Motor T mechanic and two years as a training NCO (non-commissioned officer).
“The Marine Corps taught me a lot about being responsible, acting professionally and being successful,” she reflected. When Anna left the Marine Corps, she transitioned into administrative roles. She also pursued a degree in Information Technology and worked at University of North Carolina Health in end-user support for nearly two years.
Anna was drawn to Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH) for its community-focused mission. “I wanted to work for an organization that helped the community and wasn’t just focused on making money,” she explained. During the interview process, she identified with our IT team’s goal to support team members so they could better help the community. “Seeing that shine through made me want to be part of the team,” she added. Since joining Easterseals PORT Health, Anna has found the ESPH culture to be very welcoming. “The whole IT team has been extremely friendly and helpful,” she noted. She also appreciated the patience and kindness of everyone who called the service desk as she learned the best ways to solve problems.
Reflecting on her journey, Anna acknowledged the difficulty of transitioning to civilian careers, noting that many veterans lose their jobs, homes and local support networks when they leave the military. Anna offered advice to other veterans in transition, saying “Veterans enter back into a world they no longer know the rules of. Trusting yourself and giving yourself grace for that transition will make it a lot easier.”
Easterseals PORT Health is committed to IDEAL principles (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Authentic and Learning). The IDEAL principle that Anna relates to most is Diversity. “During my time in the military, I saw firsthand how including people with different experiences positively changed how things were done.” Anna recalled when the debate about women in combat roles was at its peak, many doubted women’s physical capabilities. This inclusion improved the Marine Corps by fostering creativity and new ideas. “As I’ve grown older, I’ve seen this concept repeat itself: teams with diverse races, genders, ages and experiences are more well-rounded and creative. Such environments are also more welcoming and accepting. Diversity is the key principle that allows inclusion, equity, authenticity and learning to flourish in the workplace.”
We are proud to have Anna on our team and grateful for her service and dedication! Learn more about ESPH’s open career opportunities at eastersealsPORT.com/job-search.
ABOUT US
Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability, behavioral health and addiction treatment services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,600 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsPORT.com.
