Alumni Update: Where are they now?
Name: Juliet Vestal
Degree(s) Received: MS in Gerontology / Masters in Public Administration
Year of Graduation: 1993
Job title: President
Company: Health and Benefit Resource Group
Location (city and state): Las Vegas, NV
Please briefly describe your position and your company:
Harrah’s is the largest gaming company with 85,000 employees in the US. I am responsible for the health and wellness programs for all employees. Some of our programs include on-site, full-service medical clinics, employee fitness centers, on-site mobile dental clinics, health educators and healthy dining programs.
Why did you choose to study gerontology at the USC Davis School?
I completed the dual master’s program with Public Administration. The field of aging was just beginning to get national press when I was in college. It was an interesting field and I thought it would be useful regardless of where I ended up working.
How did you learn about your current position? Was it through an internship, a previous job, or a connection through USC?
I learned about my current position through networking but not through a USC connection.
Please briefly describe how the USC Davis School’s curriculum helped prepare you for your current position.
The Biology of Aging course prepared me the most for my current position. Understanding the medical aspects of aging has been helpful in designing our benefit plans for employees regarding chronic conditions and preventive care.
What advice would you offer to a prospective student interested in studying gerontology at USC?
For students interested in working in a corporate role like employee benefits, I would recommend taking some accounting classes. You really need to understand the financing of the programs you are recommending and how to measure ROI. In most cases, unless you can prove there is a cost savings, it won’t get approved.
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