WHO I AM:
Some years ago ::cough cough:: I earned an undergrad degree in English. I know what you're thinking. And it's true. I AM the grammar police. Just kidding! What can I say--it's in my blood. I love to write and edit and have high attention to detail. Reading is one of my pleasures. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, reading is a way for me to escape, learn, and explore.
Words fascinate me. So I also have an affinity for languages. Geography excites me. Traveling is a must. When I travel abroad, I prefer to stay at hostels. People always ask me, "But have you seen the movie?!" I laugh. I meet people from across the globe and am happy to say I am still friends with folks I met 10-15 years ago while staying at a hostel. It's pretty cool. That's happiness!I
I realize you may want to know who I think I am to spout all this knowledge and opinion on HR topics. In 2015 I earned a masters degree in Organizational & Human Resource Development. During the two years of study, I worked full time AND moved from Texas to Louisiana and back again. Gonna brag here because I EARNED a 4.0!
But I want to include the reason I chose Abilene Christian University's program over any other. The content of the coursework is exactly what I wanted to dive into--building a foundation of communication to help organizations and employees grow. In the first few years of my HR career, I discovered this was the secret behind Human Resources. Communication leads to connection. Connection leads to trust. Trust leads to employee engagement. We are there to protect the organization AND advocate for the employees. We are there to build a positive culture. We are there to act as middle man to achieve harmony for the benefit of the organization and employees. Because when employees grow, the organization grows! It's so simple!
Some years ago ::cough cough:: I earned an undergrad degree in English. I know what you're thinking. And it's true. I AM the grammar police. Just kidding! What can I say--it's in my blood. I love to write and edit and have high attention to detail. Reading is one of my pleasures. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, reading is a way for me to escape, learn, and explore.
Words fascinate me. So I also have an affinity for languages. Geography excites me. Traveling is a must. When I travel abroad, I prefer to stay at hostels. People always ask me, "But have you seen the movie?!" I laugh. I meet people from across the globe and am happy to say I am still friends with folks I met 10-15 years ago while staying at a hostel. It's pretty cool. That's happiness!I
I realize you may want to know who I think I am to spout all this knowledge and opinion on HR topics. In 2015 I earned a masters degree in Organizational & Human Resource Development. During the two years of study, I worked full time AND moved from Texas to Louisiana and back again. Gonna brag here because I EARNED a 4.0!
But I want to include the reason I chose Abilene Christian University's program over any other. The content of the coursework is exactly what I wanted to dive into--building a foundation of communication to help organizations and employees grow. In the first few years of my HR career, I discovered this was the secret behind Human Resources. Communication leads to connection. Connection leads to trust. Trust leads to employee engagement. We are there to protect the organization AND advocate for the employees. We are there to build a positive culture. We are there to act as middle man to achieve harmony for the benefit of the organization and employees. Because when employees grow, the organization grows! It's so simple!
MY STREET CRED:
My career in Human Resources began much like everyone else's: by chance. In 2009 I walked into an interview fully believing it was for a part-time position in the hospital's Gift Shop. But, it was for one of two open positions in Human Resources. It's true!
I thank my undergraduate degree in English--and my OCD nature--for being successful in this first HR job. However, after three years of Benefits administration, I itched for more. MORE of what HR entails. More of the HUMAN aspect.
Thus began my journey into all things HR. I went to work across town and my whole life changed. I went from an HR team of 20 (5 in Benefits) to an HR team of 5 total. But, I had my hands in a variety of functions and I was invigorated. I felt my left brain and right brain were connecting. I had much more interaction with employees and managers and it felt good!
It's also worth mentioning this was the first time in three years a boss of mine spoke words that changed my life. He told me he saw potential in me. Potential to be a DIRECTOR some day. Admittedly, I was still rough around the edges. But he recognized my capabilities and my intention. Priceless.
Eventually, my career did propel me into a director role. Most of my HR career has been in the healthcare industry. But I did a stint for parks & rec as well as a school board. My last two jobs were in small hospitals. Working as an HR department of ONE is not easy. People may think all we do is hire and fire. So not true.
This leads me to Just An HR Girl Living In A Messed Up World. I chose to walk away from a steady paycheck in exchange for my freedom, dignity, and dreams. This is my opportunity to encourage dialogue on topics that affect the HUMAN side of HR. Sharing my experiences, knowledge, and viewpoint is my gift to you. In exchange, you encourage me to expand my worldview further.
My career in Human Resources began much like everyone else's: by chance. In 2009 I walked into an interview fully believing it was for a part-time position in the hospital's Gift Shop. But, it was for one of two open positions in Human Resources. It's true!
I thank my undergraduate degree in English--and my OCD nature--for being successful in this first HR job. However, after three years of Benefits administration, I itched for more. MORE of what HR entails. More of the HUMAN aspect.
Thus began my journey into all things HR. I went to work across town and my whole life changed. I went from an HR team of 20 (5 in Benefits) to an HR team of 5 total. But, I had my hands in a variety of functions and I was invigorated. I felt my left brain and right brain were connecting. I had much more interaction with employees and managers and it felt good!
It's also worth mentioning this was the first time in three years a boss of mine spoke words that changed my life. He told me he saw potential in me. Potential to be a DIRECTOR some day. Admittedly, I was still rough around the edges. But he recognized my capabilities and my intention. Priceless.
Eventually, my career did propel me into a director role. Most of my HR career has been in the healthcare industry. But I did a stint for parks & rec as well as a school board. My last two jobs were in small hospitals. Working as an HR department of ONE is not easy. People may think all we do is hire and fire. So not true.
This leads me to Just An HR Girl Living In A Messed Up World. I chose to walk away from a steady paycheck in exchange for my freedom, dignity, and dreams. This is my opportunity to encourage dialogue on topics that affect the HUMAN side of HR. Sharing my experiences, knowledge, and viewpoint is my gift to you. In exchange, you encourage me to expand my worldview further.
I'D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW YOU WELL:
It's confession time. I AM a child of the 80s, born in the ::cough cough:: 70s, who came into adulthood in the 90s. Hence, my affinity for music that harkens back to a time of synthesizers, wild guitar solos, and a variety of hairstyles. I won't apologize for it. It makes me who I am today.
My father served in the military. Yes, I was a military brat. We lived in many states within the U.S. and in Okinawa and West Germany. Yes, WEST Germany--before the Berlin Wall was demolished. Moving every two or three years was an adventure. But it was scary and challenging as well because I didn't know what to expect and I had to make new friends. It makes me who I am today, in many, many ways.
I have: used rotary dial phones & dial-up modems, played outside until the streetlights came on, watched black & white television AND walked across the room to change the channel.
I am: disciplined, adventurous, smart, independent, sarcastic, clumsy, feisty, spirited, dorky, trusting, guarded, & authentic.
People in my life have described me as: brave, thoughtful, quirky, confident, honest, kind, detailed, lover of life, complicated, interesting, pale-as-a-ghost, & witty,
Ultimately, I am just me.
I unabashedly dance to the beat of my own drum. I travel the world by myself. I create connections with other individuals when the opportunity strikes. I have this weird ability to balance seriousness with lightheartedness without skipping a beat. I have been known to karate kick the air when no one is watching. I sing at the top of my lungs in the car. I can switch to "HR mode" and kick into high gear to tackle drama and squash issues. I don't mess around when I'm at work. But I also don't take myself too seriously. Life is too short.
My message is BE YOU! Just because I am a professional by day doesn't mean I can't infuse ME into the work setting. Otherwise, the stresses of work will drag me into the doldrums and my personality will be lost. There's a balance that ought to exist in a workplace. I'm not saying Jekyll and Hyde. Because if you are portraying yourself one way by day and are a completely different person by night, self reflection should occur. What I am saying is don't be afraid to BE YOU!
It's confession time. I AM a child of the 80s, born in the ::cough cough:: 70s, who came into adulthood in the 90s. Hence, my affinity for music that harkens back to a time of synthesizers, wild guitar solos, and a variety of hairstyles. I won't apologize for it. It makes me who I am today.
My father served in the military. Yes, I was a military brat. We lived in many states within the U.S. and in Okinawa and West Germany. Yes, WEST Germany--before the Berlin Wall was demolished. Moving every two or three years was an adventure. But it was scary and challenging as well because I didn't know what to expect and I had to make new friends. It makes me who I am today, in many, many ways.
I have: used rotary dial phones & dial-up modems, played outside until the streetlights came on, watched black & white television AND walked across the room to change the channel.
I am: disciplined, adventurous, smart, independent, sarcastic, clumsy, feisty, spirited, dorky, trusting, guarded, & authentic.
People in my life have described me as: brave, thoughtful, quirky, confident, honest, kind, detailed, lover of life, complicated, interesting, pale-as-a-ghost, & witty,
Ultimately, I am just me.
I unabashedly dance to the beat of my own drum. I travel the world by myself. I create connections with other individuals when the opportunity strikes. I have this weird ability to balance seriousness with lightheartedness without skipping a beat. I have been known to karate kick the air when no one is watching. I sing at the top of my lungs in the car. I can switch to "HR mode" and kick into high gear to tackle drama and squash issues. I don't mess around when I'm at work. But I also don't take myself too seriously. Life is too short.
My message is BE YOU! Just because I am a professional by day doesn't mean I can't infuse ME into the work setting. Otherwise, the stresses of work will drag me into the doldrums and my personality will be lost. There's a balance that ought to exist in a workplace. I'm not saying Jekyll and Hyde. Because if you are portraying yourself one way by day and are a completely different person by night, self reflection should occur. What I am saying is don't be afraid to BE YOU!