In honor of Veterans Day in the United States on November 11, 2018, we’re dedicating a special series to our Veterans here at NuVasive. Veterans Day is a celebration meant to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for their country. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, those living or who have passed, but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably. At NuVasive, our mission is to continue to change as many patient lives as possible. Having the positive and encouraging spirit of Veterans among our Shareowner family instills high values and work ethic in our workplace and beyond.
Featuring our next #VeteransInSpine feature, Priscila, Regulatory Affairs Associate in our San Diego office.
Can you share about your military background?
My family and I emigrated from Brazil in 1992 and as I grew up, I held on to the desire to serve this country that had provided us with so much opportunity. I joined the Marine Corps in 2007 and was stationed on Joint Air Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. while attending college in Virginia. After six years in the service, I transferred to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA in 2013 where I honorably discharged shortly after.
What was the biggest challenge, if any, in learning and adopting new cultural norms in the business world?
The biggest challenge since entering the business world has been learning how to establish valuable relationships through networking with fellow peers inside and outside of the Medical Device Industry. This was a crucial tool to learn, and only after I adopted this business practice was I able to feel more comfortable and acclimated in a professional setting.
How did you end up working in the Medical Device industry?
In 2017, a friend working in the biotech industry had recommended that I speak with a recruiter from a large scientific staffing agency based in San Diego. I was able to enter the Medical Device industry with a small contract position in Regulatory Affairs, and I felt it was the right place for me from that point forward. With a bit of experience, I gained the confidence to apply for my current position.
Initially, how did you convince hiring managers early on that your skills would translate to corporate?
I felt confident that I was able to convince hiring managers of my team-player mentality, which is important in many fast-growing corporate companies.
Being able to work flexibly within tight timelines was something very much valued amongst managers and I made sure to demonstrate my abilities through the real-life experience I gained during my time in the service.
In an interview setting, how would you describe the value of your military experience?
The more experience I gain in the business world, and the further I travel upwards in my career progression, the harder my interviews become. My current position required a long interview process in which five different employees and hiring managers interviewed me. I had not gone through such a tedious process before, but having been put on the spot often before and working under a pressured environment during my military enlistment, I felt more prepared going into such a challenging interview process.
Sometimes the transition from military to corporate causes you to “reinvent” some parts of yourself. How would you describe your career and/or personal growth?
During my military service, I practiced a strict mentality of being my own worst critic. I’ve had to tone down this mindset in order to better accept constructive criticism from my peers and grow to better serve my team.
I have also learned to be less critical of myself in pursuing my career path and that my mistakes are valuable learning experiences needed for my own personal growth.
Stay tuned for the next #VeteransInSpine features rolling out on The Spot now through November 11. To celebrate and recognize Veterans Day, you can volunteer at Veteran facilities, attend local events in celebration of the holiday, and thank Veterans and their families for their service.
