Choosing a career path in healthcare doesn’t always mean working directly with patients. For Karly Stechmesser, the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin Health Information Management and Technology (HIMT) program offered the perfect way to combine her interest in healthcare with technology, organization, and problem-solving.
Karly chose the program for its flexibility, diverse career opportunities, and practical curriculum. After completing UW-Green Bay’s Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program and earning both her high school diploma and associate degree, she enrolled in the UW HIMT program.
Karly graduated in Fall 2025 and now works as a HIMS Operations Specialist I at Advocate Health. In this Q&A, she shares why she chose HIMT, what it was like learning online, and how the program prepared her for success after graduation.
What motivated you to pursue the UW HIMT bachelor’s degree?
The reason I specifically chose HIMT is because I have always been interested in working in the healthcare field but quickly realized that working directly with patients wouldn’t be the right fit. Additionally, my aunt works in this field, so I was able to talk to her about her experiences and the field as a whole, which furthered my interest in pursuing this degree.
I saw that this program covered a wide range of topics and really prepared students to succeed in any aspect of healthcare/HIMT they wanted to go into. I felt confident that, even though I didn’t know specifically where I wanted to end up, I would develop skills that would help me. The flexibility of the classes was also an important factor, as while I was still taking a full course load, I was able to choose when and where they would be completed.
What was it like going to school in an online setting?
It was definitely a learning curve doing all my courses online. I had to work on prioritization as well as balance to be successful. It was great to have the flexibility to complete my coursework on my own time, however I also had to stay organized. Many positions in this field are remote, so doing classes online was a very helpful skill to gain as it helped me prepare for a remote job.
I know many of my classmates were working full-time jobs while taking these courses, so being able to have the flexibility was incredibly beneficial to them.
How was your overall experience in the program?
I am incredibly grateful for this program and all of the courses I have taken. Such a wide variety of topics are taught, so now I have a range of experience that will prove to be useful. Through this program, I have performed audits, performed tasks in electronic health records (EHRs), developed educational materials, and worked through project management duties. Skills from these experiences will be vital in my career.
Additionally, I feel like the courses are always developing to ensure they stay relevant with the ever-evolving healthcare field. For example, my recent courses have been utilizing AI more. AI is a huge development in every field but especially healthcare, and [the HIMT program faculty] want us to be prepared to use it in our career. Now I have the experience and knowledge that I know will help me whichever direction I go in.
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Did you receive support from others while in the program?
I have felt great support from my instructors. If I ever had a question about an assignment or wanted further clarification on a lesson, they were always happy to clarify further. I felt like they really wanted me to succeed and were willing to help me get the most I could out of my classes.
Many of my classmates have been working in this field and in different positions, so working with them and having discussion posts with them was incredibly insightful. I learned so much from my classmates, and I’ve gained different perspectives on so many different topics from their personal experiences.
What advice do you have for others who are thinking about enrolling in the UW HIMT bachelor’s degree?
Come in with an open mind. This program covers many different topics in this field and showcases so many opportunities available.
When I started, I wanted to work in insurance, but now, after taking all of my courses, I have developed new interests in privacy and compliance and have a much clearer idea of what I want to do in this field. It’s great to begin taking these classes with a clear idea of what you want to do with this degree, but it’s also important to be willing to look at different topics and positions that you could pursue.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience in the program?
The HIMT program requires completion of a capstone project the last semester before graduation, which consists of working 80 hours with a healthcare organization. I was fortunate enough to complete my capstone with Advocate Health through their Circle of Success program (Karly now works full-time for Advocate Health).
I was able to work with many professionals in this field, developing connections with Advocate teammates, as well as having the opportunity to develop and showcase the skills that I obtained from my HIMT courses. A final project was also completed based on a topic that we were passionate about, giving us the opportunity to delve deeper into our interests and skills.
I furthered my knowledge of HIPAA and created resources that showcase my knowledge in this area. I am very grateful for the program that Advocate Health has, as I now feel more confident joining this workforce after this hands-on experience.
Ready to explore a healthcare career that combines technology, data, and problem-solving? Learn more about the online University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and Technology by contacting an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu.