He also recommends knowing the systems and software used in the profession you seek. For financial analysts, that is mainly Microsoft Excel, and database software, such as COGNOS or Access. Ramon works closely with accounting to determine where the money is coming from and how it’s going to be distributed amongst their doctors, specialties and locations. Furthermore, he looks for anomalies within the data so that adjustments can be made if necessary, and helps set the future budget based on previous empirical data that he provides in reports to doctors, directors and other leaders to assist them in their decision-making.

Ramon knows how important it is to give back, thanks to the mentors who helped him along the way. He cites one in particular during his years at Kaiser Permanente prior to City of Hope.

“My primary mentor was Juan Lopez, the Senior Director for Account Management, which is mainly Sales,” explains Ramon. “Though I was not his direct report, he worked with the underwriters and I could see that he was very successful. From the first time that we talked, I knew I wanted him as a mentor. Though he was in a higher position, he was very approachable and made people feel comfortable. He was a good communicator, he was able to interact with different people at all different levels, and from what I could see, he was living the American Dream.”

Ramon soon learned that mentorship is a two-way street. His mentor provided information and guidance, but would also come to Ramon when he needed help. Not only did his mentor help him when Ramon had issues at work, but did so in his personal life too, such as advising him where to invest in the stock market.

“Seeing someone I could relate to at that level was very inspirational to me,” says Ramon. “I saw something I could work towards myself, because I thought if he could do it I could do it too. And now I had someone showing me how to do it, which was something I didn’t have growing up.”

His mentor was very helpful in guiding Ramon in his career, even helping him make the transition from underwriter to financial analyst. But Ramon says you can’t expect your mentor to put their reputation on the line without first proving that you can do the job. You have to show you have the desire, the drive, and the ability to be successful.

When Ramon saw his mentor’s willingness to help others, he felt a kinship and knew he wanted to do the same once he was in a position to do so. And that’s why he is always looking for opportunities to help others today, especially those who want to move forward and be successful but don’t know how – a position he knows all too well. He enjoys building relationships with those coming up behind him in the ranks, asking questions and finding out about their goals and dreams – and then doing what he can to smooth the way for them.

For example, Ramon talks of a security guard he knows who went to the police academy, but was having trouble after that with the interview process for a job. Ramon would have him come to his office after work, where he would help him out with mock interviews, give him books to read, and offer him as much guidance as he could.

“He grew up similar to the way I did,” says Ramon, “in a pretty rough neighborhood with poor working parents, but it gave him a sense of inferiority. When I asked him to tell me his strengths, he couldn’t think of anything to say.”  

He continues: “I have this trick I learned when I went to school for my Masters. I told him to think of three people he admires and why he would want to be like them. He said because they are not just nice people, but hard workers who are passionate about what they do. When I told him he was focusing on those qualities because they reflected the same qualities that were in him, it was a real revelation. It really opened his eyes to who he was and what he could do.”

These are Ramon’s top three pieces of advice to those he mentors, including his own daughter:

·         Make education your priority no matter what – even if you have to work while going to school or get student loans to help pay for it. There’s plenty of financial assistance out there too, so don’t let the cost of an education stop you.

·         Have passion for what you do and be persistent about pursuing your goals. Never give up and do whatever it takes to succeed. I had to take all of my early classes twice, for example, but it got me through to where I needed to go.

·         Be a good person first and foremost, follow the golden rule and help others, even if they don’t look or sound like you. When you find success, pay it forward and show others the way, too.