Tayler Young: Mentored in Leadership

Reflections on vocation, the value of hard work, and coming into her own.

A 2017 Healthcare Management graduate, Tayler is currently working as an Admissions Coordinator for American Addiction Centers.

What led you to Concordia University Irvine?

I am an Orange County native and staying closer to my hometown was my initial reasoning. After exploring what Concordia had to offer, I really found myself choosing Concordia for the community and faith-based curriculum. It was such an easy decision and such a great one in retrospect.

What influenced the choice of your major?

Healthcare has always been an interest of mine. I feel I am best suited in a role where I can be of service to others, and there is always a need for healthcare professionals. I felt pulled to pursue nursing originally, but as I took courses in the Healthcare Management major at Concordia, I knew I was meant to be on the administration side.

Which faculty or staff member do you most admire?

Dr. Catherine Sinardi and Kristy Fowler in the Office of First Year Experience (FYE). Dr. Sinardi was such an advocate for me in my time at Concordia. She taught me the most invaluable lessons, was always available to us and helped me strategically plan for that first step into the healthcare arena. I felt the program she constructed for us students truly prepared us for what lie ahead.

I have known Kristy Fowler for upwards of 10 years and I can thank her for everything I know about leadership today. She taught us FYE students what it meant to lead with integrity, to be transparent, and the importance of empathy. She poured so much into her Peer Advising Leader (PAL) teams and created great leaders throughout the years by doing so. She also kept the FYE program so fun, which was such a great balance for those feeling the stress from classes build throughout the semester.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

I would say the independence I have made for myself since starting college. I feel like I have really come into my own with getting my career started and moving from my hometown.

How do you define vocation?

Personally, I define vocation as the calling to my choice in career. It’s the passion that lies in the work that I do. Currently, I oversee admissions for a drug and alcohol treatment center. As soon as I started in this role, I had my “A-ha” moment. This is where I am supposed to be. I feel so lucky that my first step out of college was into a job where I feel like I am making a difference in patient lives every day.   

What is one thing you have most valued about your time at Concordia?

The connections I made that I will never forget and am so grateful for – with faculty, friends, coaches, everyone I encountered at CUI.

What is your favorite Concordia tradition?

I wouldn’t say it's necessarily a tradition, but the ability to just hang around all day at Eagles' Landing, casually studying and catching up with friends, or playing soccer and hanging out on the field for a couple of hours. I loved that time that was so leisurely spent outside of class. We could all hang out and not worry about the crazy amount of responsibility that was right around the corner.

Who are your heroes in real life?

All of my grandparents. I have learned from all of them the value of hard work, loyalty, and dedication; how to laugh at yourself and not take life so seriously; and to constantly strive to be the best version of yourself possible.