With a total of 13 years of federal employment, one could take my career-to-date and see two sides of a spectrum, with the common denominator being U.S. Veterans. At the start of my career I worked in U.S. Air Force Recruiting. I enjoyed meeting new recruits for the first time and seeing them change and mature, like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, through the enlistment process, both physically and mentally. During the latter half of my career I worked to support the men and women of the U.S. military, not in the beginning of their career but at the end. When they had separated from the military, returned home and needed care specific to them and what they had experienced. I work alongside thousands of staff and external groups who join together to provide the best healthcare for our Veterans and their families. It’s an interesting experience working at a VA hospital. You have employees who are Veterans, giving back to their comrades and working together to build a better VA. Together we work to fulfill Abraham Lincoln’s promise he made during his Second Inaugural speech, which became the Veterans Administration’s motto, “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan.” My name is Tasha Sayama, born and raised in Guam. I am the eldest of four and at times I feel like a mother to all. When I’m not working I enjoy cooking, reading, and going to concerts. I completed my Bachelors in Business Administration at Baker College online, while working. When I look at my career, past, present and future I strongly believe furthering my education will help me continue on my path to not only serve those who have served but also to support my country. As a federal government employee, I am aware that my resources are limited, funding and resources are continuously calculated and critiqued. This program will provide me with insight to strategy, resources, financial responsibilities, as well as program management. In the short term there are several areas of interest that I hope to apply my education toward: ensuring policy and practice are one, with the intent to reduce waste and eliminate actions that provide no value for the Veteran; strategically plan to meet the specific needs of our increasing Veteran population; as well as strengthen my financial understanding, allowing me to make sound recommendations and decisions. Now that I am less than a year from graduation I am looking forward to the opportunity to study and intern abroad. I have found an organization that I would like to internship with, to include an intern location based on the type of work experience and exposure that they would offer me. With placement typically at small, private medical centers, I am hoping that the internship will grant me with new experiences in terms of how another organization coordinates their care, resources, as well as understanding their challenges and barriers. In return, I hope that I am able to offer the organization and facilities abroad just as much support and knowledge as I’m sure it will bring to me. As I finish my Master of Science in Health Care Administration I look forward to the opportunity to reach out to the world and broaden my experience and knowledge.