From Extern to Expert: How Taylor Locklear Found Her Calling at Carteret Health Care

From Extern to Expert: How Taylor Locklear Found Her Calling at Carteret Health Care

When most people think of a hospital, they immediately envision stethoscopes and scrubs. But for Taylor Locklear, a recent college graduate, her journey at Carteret Health Care proved that you don’t need a medical degree to make a massive impact on patient care and community wellness.

After completing a successful summer as a Human Resources Extern, Taylor didn’t just head back to the classroom—she stayed to grow her career. Today, she serves as our Foundation Specialist, helping bridge the gap between community generosity and hospital excellence.

We sat down with Taylor to discuss her transition from a "nervous student" to a "hospital professional."

Discovering the "Hidden" Side of Healthcare

Like many students approaching graduation, Taylor was looking for a role that would sharpen her administrative skills and build real-world connections. While she knew she wanted a community-focused environment, she was surprised to find such a perfect fit within the walls of a hospital.

"I can honestly say I was surprised by the number of opportunities that were not clinical related," Taylor shares. "Before working here, the only jobs that came to mind were nurses and doctors. We tend to forget how much truly goes into running a hospital—Finance, HR, IT, marketing, fundraising, dietary, and engineering, to name a few."

During her summer in HR, Taylor saw firsthand that a hospital is a complex ecosystem where every gear matters. She quickly realized that behind every patient room is a team of professionals ensuring the facility is staffed, powered, and funded. "There is so much talent and hard work; a hospital could not function without every single department doing its job," she notes.

Navigating the Learning Curve

Transitioning from the classroom to a professional healthcare environment can be intimidating, but Taylor found that the culture at Carteret Health Care was built on mentorship and patience.

When asked what advice she would give her "Day One" self, Taylor emphasizes that it’s okay to be a work in progress:

"You’re still learning and that’s okay! When I first started, I was overwhelmed by the amount of things I did not know and I probably asked the same questions 100 times. Eventually, you’ll get the rhythm of things, and even then, there will still be more to learn—so take it in stride."

Why the Foundation?

Taylor’s journey from HR to the Foundation is a testament to the way Carteret Health Care fosters meaningful relationships. She was drawn to how deeply connected the organization is to the local community, making her current role as a Foundation Specialist a natural next step.

For Taylor, the hospital isn't just a place of work; it's a place where she has planted her roots to help our community thrive. Her story serves as a powerful reminder for the next generation of graduates: your degree has a home in healthcare.

Interested in starting your own journey?

Our Summer Externship program is designed to show you the "behind-the-scenes" excellence that makes Carteret Health Care a leader in community health. Whether your passion is in business, technology, or philanthropy, there is a place for you here. We have opportunities in Pharmacy, Information Services, Rehabilitation and more. Apply here for this year’s Summer Extern positions.