WAR Story – Mallory Harding

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Name and how long you have been in the industry

Mallory R. Sunley Harding – I have been in the industry for 7 years. (TRIMEDX)

Short background bio – How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?

Since my first official job working on a horse farm in exchange for lessons starting at age 12, I have always had a job. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment and learning something new every day. Thus, over the years, I have been all over the place for jobs and learning opportunities – a barista, data entry, a dance instructor, a teacher, and admissions and student services when I moved to South Carolina for my husband’s job. After working in Academia for 5 years, I decided it was time for a change. For a CAREER. So, I went back to school and received a Masters in Human Resources. Upon completion, I was offered a Full-Time position with the Training department within Aramark. Then they told me it was in Healthcare Clinical Technology – no idea what it was, but I was up for the adventure of finding out. I jumped right in under a great leadership team and was immersed into learning about what HTM means, what biomedical and Imaging engineers do, and seeing a “naked” CT for the first time (that was fascinating.) Within the first year, I felt I had found my place; I have many family members in the healthcare industry, plus I watch so much Grey’s Anatomy (That joke either prospers or totally flops in HTM…).

I still feel like I am learning something new every day.

What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?

The strongest impact on furthering my career to where I am today is Mentorship; I used to think mentorship was an awkward relationship that was just talked about, but no one really knew what was going on; it sounded like it would feel forced. In my time in this industry, however, I have realized I had many mentors (and still do) – whether either of us knew it at the time – by them setting amazing examples and goals to strive towards or even being a sounding board of encouragement and wisdom.

Kim Rowland ,  Courtney Kinkaid, Jeff Burns, Jeff Shaw, Amber Duberg,  Larry Hertzler, Jenn Nichols and Deb Kraft – I want you to know how much I appreciate the example you set, and the support you have given me throughout my time in HTM, pushing me to succeed.

What roadblocks did you have to overcome?

The biggest roadblock for me has been “Imposter Syndrome”;  I think many women still (or at least used to) have a feeling that they were being too brash for asking for what they want – Applying for a position they thought may be a reach, knowing their worth and taking the chance to ask for more, taking the time they need for themselves and not feeling bad about it. All three of these things are things I have struggled with and pushed my personal boundaries over in the last several years and I am glad I did because I got what I wanted. What I deserved. What WE Deserve.

What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?

One of the things I love about the HTM industry is the support and family feeling it has ; and as family members move from one company to another, even amongst competitors, there is still a sense of pride and camaraderie for anyone whose path you’ve crossed. The sisters of this family have been a shining example of this value – WIL is a case in point!

 I strive to one day be what is considered a great leader in this industry, this “Family”.

What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?

Maybe this is more of an affirmation than advice, but I want to say: YOU DESERVE IT. Whatever it is that you want, stop comparing yourself to others, ignore any primal negativity that lingers in your mind – become self-aware of your value, your input, your diversity of thought. Go get what you want.

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

― Maya Angelou

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