After I graduated from UMKC, I worked as a substitute instructor for the Kansas City Missouri School District but ultimately began pursuing an MS in Mathematics at UMKC. I've also had a lifelong interest in technology, computer programming, and networking, and was interested in pursuing a career that would utilize these skills as well as my mathematical background. Database analysis, data mining, and analytics became of great interest to me, and in the professional world there is a lot of opportunity for those willing to develop these skills, particularly with respect to modern algebra and statistics.
During that time, my wife and I had the unexpected news that our young family was going to grow by one to four, so beginning my professional career became a very high priority for me, as we could not continue with the sole support of student loans. After searching for a job for approximately four months, I was introduced to an opportunity at the Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, where there was an opening for an analyst position at their Medical Administration department. My technical skills as well as my education and communications skills secured this position for me.
In this role, I wear many hats. At this stage many of our data sources are still in heavy development or are simply nonexistent, so it is my role to begin a foundation through database programming, metrics development, and finding or building clean, reliable data sources on which to do data mining and other analysis. At the same time, I provide hospital leadership with concise, high level reports with respect to financial and operational data pertinent to this large organization.
I anticipate continuing my education with an emphasis in statistics, as Children's Mercy provides assistance towards pursuing higher level education included in its generous benefits package.
[While at UMKC, on Nov. 21, 2008, James gave a talk in the department Expository Talks Series titled: "Using Combinatorial Games (like Dominoes) to Prove
1/2 + 1/2 = 1", which he prepared with the help of Dr. Eric Hall.]
James Slaughter