Open Calendar, Get Hired!

Episode 08: From Math Classroom to Healthcare Analytics with Megan McKay

What happens when a math instructor asks, “Where can I take the math?” For Megan McKay, the answer was analytics, intentional networking, and a referral that led to Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. In this episode, Megan unpacks her pivot from teaching undergrad math to landing a newly minted analyst role, including the exact steps, surprises, and lessons that moved her from “spray and pray” to strategic.

Megan holds a master’s in applied mathematics from the University of South Carolina, taught 100-level courses for three years, and built a new class called Mathematical Concepts for Data and Analytics to support USC’s data analysis degree. That work pulled her into the analytics world, where she completed the Google Professional Data Analytics Certificate, joined Avery Smith’s Data Analytics Accelerator, built projects, and rebuilt her resume and portfolio.

The job that stuck started with a referral. Megan applied during a short posting window, confirmed salary with the recruiter, and completed two interviews that leaned behavioral with light scenario thinking. No live coding, but lots of communication, problem framing, and clarifying definitions in a regulated domain. She also shares a clean follow-up move that preceded her offer call by a couple of hours and a look at week-one onboarding in healthcare, from HIPAA to business language and acronyms.

You’ll learn:

• How a teacher translated math skills into business outcomes and analytics stories
• Why pausing applications to level up projects and portfolio can raise your hit rate
• A simple “open calendar” coffee-chat experiment that produced 15 calls in two weeks and a stronger network across multiple countries
• How referrals cut the line without guaranteeing the job, and why vibe and clarity still win the room
• Smart follow-up timing after “you’ll hear soon”
• What early onboarding looks like in a healthcare analytics role

Tactics to steal:

• Clarify terms, baselines, and success criteria before proposing solutions
• Post with intent on LinkedIn and send personal connection messages
• Make it easy for people to talk with you using a limited Calendly window
• Shift time blocks as you progress: upskill early, then lean into applications and networking
• Pick a lane when you can, and let strong referrals open doors you can grow into

Connect with Megan on LinkedIn. Her portfolio and Tableau Public are accessible through her profile and resume. She keeps messages open and welcomes thoughtful conversations if you want to try the open calendar idea yourself.

For more on closing the gap between job seekers and hiring authorities, visit themajordata.com or join the Data Career Academy community on LinkedIn.

Transcript

From Math Classroom to Healthcare Analytics: How Megan McKay Pivoted from Teaching to Data Analysis

Megan McKay successfully transitioned from teaching undergraduate math at USC to landing an analyst role at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina in just one summer. Her strategic approach to networking, particularly her innovative "open calendar" method, helped her build connections that led to the crucial referral that got her hired.

Key Insights

The Power of Strategic Networking - [08:45] Megan got her job through a referral from a grad school colleague who noticed her consistent LinkedIn presence - [15:30] She created an innovative "open calendar" approach, posting a Calendly link on LinkedIn offering free career conversations - [17:15] The open calendar strategy resulted in 21 conversations across 10 different countries, inspiring others to copy the approach

The Application Process Reality - [09:20] Applied on July 4th to a job posting that was only open for 2 days (posted July 3rd, closed July 5th) - [10:15] Had previously applied to the same exact position 2 months earlier without a referral and got no response - [11:45] Interview process took 2 months total: recruiter email → first interview (3 weeks) → second interview (2 weeks) → offer (2 weeks)

The Interview Experience

Interview Structure - [12:30] Two interviews, both primarily behavioral with minimal technical questions - [13:45] No coding challenges or technical assessments required - [14:20] One data-related question about identifying overbilling patterns, focused more on logical thinking than technical skills

Key Questions That Impressed - "What is the most challenging part of your day-to-day job?" - "Does the workload have any seasonal patterns or ebb and flow?"

Strategic Job Search Approach

Timeline and Focus Shifts - [25:40] Started with "spray and pray" approach, then became more strategic - [26:15] Spent first month of summer on upskilling and portfolio development before ramping up applications - [27:30] Treated job searching as a full-time job throughout the summer

The Referral Advantage - [11:10] Referral was mentioned multiple times during the hiring process - [10:45] Same position applied to without referral got zero response; with referral got immediate recruiter contact

Networking Innovation: The "Open Calendar" Method

How It Worked - [16:00] Posted Calendly link offering two 30-minute slots daily for six days - [16:45] Got multiple bookings within hours, had to open additional slots - [17:45] Many conversations ran over time, some led to follow-up meetings

Impact and Reach - [18:30] Connected with people globally, turning second and third connections into first connections - [19:15] Method has been adopted by others, creating an informal movement with #OpenCalendar

Practical Advice

Follow-Up Strategy - [32:15] Waited a week and a half after final interview before following up - [32:45] Got job offer call within 2 hours of sending follow-up email - [33:30] Some companies reportedly wait for candidates to follow up before extending offers

Time Management During Job Search - [26:45] Struggled with balancing time between applications, upskilling, and networking - [27:00] Recommends being more strategic with applications from the beginning rather than using volume approach

Key Takeaways

• Referrals are game-changers: Same job, different outcomes with and without referral
• Networking doesn't have to be traditional: Creative approaches like open calendar can yield significant results 
• Persistence pays off: Two-month interview process required patience and strategic follow-up
• Domain expertise isn't always required: Company was hoping for healthcare background but hired without it
• Behavioral skills matter most: Technical questions were minimal; cultural fit was primary focus

"I had actually applied to this exact position two months prior without the referral and didn't even get the recruiter email." - [10:30]

The episode demonstrates that strategic networking, particularly through innovative approaches and consistent LinkedIn presence, can overcome traditional barriers to entry in competitive fields like healthcare analytics.