“Reflecting on my journey, I believe it serves as a testament to the importance of staying open-minded and flexible during one’s academic pursuits. My advice to current students is to approach their educational experience without sticking to their assumptions, keeping both expectations and options open. If something doesn’t align with your goals, either academically or socially, don’t hesitate to reassess and make necessary changes for a more fulfilling journey.”
Jaren Johnson (BSI ‘19) is a Product Manager at CVS Health. Jaren graduated from University of Michigan, School of Information with a degree of Information Science in 2019. When he was in college, he explored a variety of positions in healthcare research, career development assistant and social media analyst. He relocated to the Bay Area to join Triage Consulting Group as a consultant in healthcare right after graduating from college and stayed until August 2020. He later joined CVS Health as a Senior Consultant with his passion and experience in healthcare that helped him succeed as both a consultant and analyst. After almost three years in consulting and analytics, he transitioned to Product Manager within CVS in February 2023 and is leading patient digital experience.
1 What was your career plan when still in college?
While in college, I was in a work-study role at the University of Michigan Health System, where I engaged in data analysis for the healthcare system. This involved constructing dashboards and delving into the world of Tableau, an experience that proved to be both impactful and fascinating for my career. Working in the healthcare domain was particularly gratifying. This sentiment carried over as I began applying for post-graduation positions.
Even though I truly enjoyed the healthcare industry and wanted to further my career in it, I did not feel it was wise to solely focus on that and close the doors of all other fields. I kept my choices open but focused on positions with job descriptions aligned with my passion in tech and people. In my senior year, I created detailed spreadsheets cataloging the job roles I was applying for. These spreadsheets not only listed the positions but also featured concise summaries to help me discern patterns and identify the roles that resonated most with my interests. Whenever feasible, I proactively sought informational interviews with either hiring managers or individuals within the relevant teams. Leveraging our alumni networks proved to be such an effective means of connecting with professionals despite not having an extensive contact base as college students. My primary emphasis was on gaining a nuanced understanding of each role, recognizing that the responsibilities of such an analyst at CVS could significantly differ from those at, for instance, Bloomberg. I conducted these informational interviews to delve into the day-to-day intricacies of the roles within specific companies. The goal was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique demands and expectations associated with each position, ensuring alignment with my career objectives. This process allowed me to identify roles in other companies that closely aligned with my interests and aspirations.
During my job search, I discovered a compelling opportunity at Triage Consulting Group, now operating under a different name following its acquisition. I found it fascinating to continue my passion for data analysis and SQL while incorporating a new dimension of customer service and client presentations in this consulting role. On top of that, relocating to San Francisco was also appealing to me who had never lived out of Michigan before, which is such an exciting chance to venture beyond Michigan for the first time. These elements collectively made the decision to accept my first role as a consultant in healthcare unexpectedly attractive. If someone had told me six months before graduation that I would be living my best life on the West Coast, I would say they are100% messing with me (laughter). But it marked how important it is to one’s options and approach life without rigid expectations. I’m so grateful for it and I’m still keeping it to my decision making process as it allows for unexpected and fulfilling opportunities to unfold.
2 How did you get into PM after years in consulting?
I had never thought about being a PM before going into CVS (laughter). When I initially joined as a consultant, I was contributing to one of our newer Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) portfolio products, specifically a product called Health Advisor. PBM encompasses various products across our portfolio, all driven by healthcare data.
Health Advisor, the product I worked on, is designed for clients in the marketplace with healthcare plans for their members. Its primary function is to enable clients or health plans to monitor healthcare data points for their members, such as repeat hospital admissions or anomalies in ER visits. The product sends out notifications to members, guiding them to more cost-effective and efficient healthcare options, ultimately saving the client money.
For the initial four to five months, my role involved developing client presentations and closely collaborating with our account team to ensure they had the most current information about the product. However, I realized that this wasn’t aligning with my interests and I brought it up to my manager. Conversations with my manager led to a productive exploration of other roles within the team that focused more on people and strategy. My promotion at the beginning of 2023 fueled my transition to my current role as a product manager. Although the title changed to product manager with added responsibilities, the essence of the role remains similar to my initial days as an analyst. What I appreciate about CVS is the supportive environment; even if there isn’t an immediate need on the current team, managers are encouraging and assist in finding work that aligns with individual interests. This transition has provided me with a more balanced role, emphasizing both data and people focus, a shift from my earlier consultant role at CVS.
My current role as a PM is in charge of the digital aspect, optimizing platforms like MyChart, mobile apps, calls, emails, and particularly focusing on text communication. By emphasizing these channels, we aim to facilitate seamless communication for members seeking assistance in managing their conditions or seeking guidance on best practices. The overarching objective is to ensure that members have convenient and accessible digital channels available whenever they need support or have inquiries. The proximity nature of responsibilities involved in my initial consultant role and my current PM role had significantly smoothened out my transition into PM.
3 What are the skill sets you find critical as a Product Manager?
I place a significant emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, qualities often undervalued but integral in professional settings. If you haven’t ventured much beyond academia, entering a corporate environment like CVS can be overwhelming. Personally, I encountered a considerable amount of ambiguity when navigating this new landscape. A key factor in my success and comfort here has been the ability to embrace and navigate through ambiguity, acknowledging that it’s okay not to have all the answers immediately. Stakeholders play a pivotal role in our enterprise, including specialty clinical teams overseeing member care, a robust IT team handling data for communication vendors, and legal and regulatory teams ensuring compliance. Dealing with ambiguity extends beyond stakeholder interactions to encompass problem statements, making stakeholder management a crucial skill. Navigating this ambiguity and managing diverse stakeholders have been instrumental in streamlining transition processes and ensuring success in this dynamic corporate environment.
4 What is your advice for the current students in college?
I’d say first is embracing changes. My undergraduate journey began at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), where I initially pursued marketing at the College of Business. I was drawn to this field due to my love for interacting with people and anticipated a career path that would allow me to blend social engagement with my professional pursuits. But when I passed the midway of my study, I realized that while enjoyable, there was a lack of emphasis on technology. Tech has always been an area I am interested in, particularly coding and data analysis. I decided to explore Computer Information Systems while still enrolled at EMU motivated by my desire for a more tech-focused education. Despite finding the program to be excessively tech-heavy, I felt disconnected from the human aspect, feeling like I was interacting with robots all day. I found myself going into another extreme that I was completely disconnected with my strengths in human.
That realization motivated me to conduct extensive research into programs at surrounding universities that could bridge my interests in both social interaction and technology. I heard about the BSI (Bachelor of Science in Information) program at UMich from a friend. Upon attending one of their onboarding events and speaking with an advisor, I was impressed with the program’s innovative approach and distinguished faculty conducting fascinating research projects. Applying to and joining the BSI program turned out to be a transformative decision of my college and career, offering a perfect balance between my social and tech interests. Reflecting on my journey, I believe it serves as a testament to the importance of staying open-minded and flexible during one’s academic pursuits. My advice to current students is to approach their educational experience without sticking to their assumptions, keeping both expectations and options open. If something doesn’t align with your goals, either academically or socially, don’t hesitate to reassess and make necessary changes for a more fulfilling journey.
The second piece of advice that I have is utilizing career resources, such as the career center. I used to be employed at our Career Center, and I also had the opportunity to work briefly for SI’s Career Center. These unique roles have given me a distinct perspective. On one hand, I engage with students, gaining insights into their career preparations beyond undergrad. On the other hand, I have firsthand access to the wealth of exciting opportunities and networking initiatives offered by these career offices. It’s particularly valuable when it comes to connecting with alumni, learning career development programs and events. I realize I might never have discovered such valuable networking resources if I hadn’t been actively involved in these career-focused environments. It’s interesting how platforms like emails and newsletters played a pivotal role in disseminating information. I believe these resources can significantly benefit current students, providing them with crucial insights and opportunities that they might otherwise miss.
5 Tell us something that is not on your LinkedIn/resume
I love travel, especially now with the flexibility of working fully remote. I try to explore new places at least once a month. The ability to travel regularly is something I value, and it’s refreshing to see many companies, particularly in the post-COVID era, embracing this flexibility. Personally, I’ve adopted a strategic approach to ensure I can maximize my experiences without utilizing much of my PTO by making the best use of weekends (laughter). By planning my trips strategically around default days off, I can reserve my PTO for more significant occasions. For instance, I often reserve several weeks off during the summertime to explore Europe or Asia, allowing me to take in the cultural richness without feeling constrained by limited time.
I had the opportunity to explore Southeast Asia earlier this year, particularly Bangkok. The experience was nothing short of amazing – delicious food, a vibrant atmosphere, and surprisingly affordable. I recall ordering from their local equivalent of food delivery around 3 am, and it was amazing that only cost me a mere 5 bucks. It’s moments like these that make travel not only enjoyable but also a valuable aspect of my lifestyle.
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