Governor Dane Maurer joined the Thibodaux Regional Health System in Louisiana as a phlebotomist in 2026. His responsibilities in this position include drawing blood and collecting patient samples. He also processes lab specimens and performs a variety of add-on tests at physicians’ requests. In addition, Governor Dane Maurer demonstrates computer and interpersonal communication skills in his role.
Mr. Maurer is a pre-medicine biology student at Nicholls State University. In addition to his studies and work with the Thibodaux Regional Health System, he is an active member of the Pre-Professional Medical Association. He is also a member of the Colonel Catholics and the Honors Society at Nicholls State University.
Mr. Maurer’s other interests include music and charity. He plays drums in a local rock band that has performed at numerous fundraising events, including the Phi Mu fundraiser for Manning Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and the Nicholls Phi Mu fundraiser, which raised nearly $15,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
During the school year, I attend all of my classes and then go to the library to brush up on topics/finish assignments. After that, I go to work at the hospital, where I will most likely do more of my schoolwork in between breaks that I take at my job. Next, I’ll go to the gym and get in a run. Lastly, I’ll practice the drums for some time. Despite the sequence that I have laid out, these are completed in no particular order. The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is a minimum standard that must be reached rather than an amount of progress to be made. Remembering this piece of information will allow you to complete things while not getting discouraged by a lack of progress in the beginning.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When I find some time to just sit down and put my phone away, my creativity will be unleashed. A typical situation in which I need my creativity at its best is during research projects and experimentation. In the lab, the professor does not always lay out the experimental process. It is up to us to figure out a way to effectively test something with the resources allotted to us.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Live music seems to be on the rise, and, as a musician myself, this is music to my ears. Playing live music is such a fun thing to do, and hopefully my bandmates and I can partake in more live music events in the future.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
As strange as it sounds, I count from 5 to 1 before I am going to do something that I am not in the mood to do. When I reach 1, I must get up and go do whatever it is. After completing this, the rest of my day’s work seems more surmountable than it did before doing the first and/or hardest thing.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to not be so caught up in the opinions of others (as cliché as that is). As a young child and high school student, I would oftentimes let the condescending words of my friends and strangers ruin my entire day. Those words would linger with me for a while, and not until later would I realize that it was foolish to worry about that all along.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Prayer. Praying is one of the most important things for us to do as children of God. When one of my friends is down in the dumps, I remind them that prayer is an option that can help whether that is now or later.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Typically, I’ll just revisit the issue if there is time for me to do so. In some instances, however, there is not time nor anyone to help, so I’ll just sit down and work it out. Coffee helps.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I am not in my career yet, but, as for schooling, reading up on all of my material and remaining focused throughout the semester has helped out tremendously.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I haven’t begun my career yet, so I can’t really answer this question.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
It’s a niche idea, but it could be useful to some. I came up with a shaker-bottle insert that works differently from the traditional coiled ball, which can get stuck or difficult to clean. It would be a sort of porous sphere that would allow for liquid to go through it so that it could be used as a shaker device; this one would never get stuck in the drying rack.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I have a calendar app on my laptop where I will put in all my important information inside. This helps me to see how the week looks and to remember any important dates.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I bought a crash cymbal off of Reverb, which is a resale site for musical instruments. The cymbal was valued at $350, but I got it for about $150. She is still rocking with me to this day.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Holy Bible. Besides the fact that it is the Word of God, it contains a lot of good sentiments and life advice. The book of proverbs offers a lot of good advice, and reflecting on the life of Christ in the gospels provides a role model that we should strive to be like.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Virgin River. It is a show about all kinds of stuff, but it is set in a rural area with beautiful views. I would totally love to live in an area like that.
Key learnings
- Read books that expand your knowledge and perspectives.
- When college students make time to think deeply, they unlock their creativity and become better equipped to solve problems in the classroom.
- Stay disciplined to achieve your goals.