Do something about it!

HR pro’s of the world … YOU have a choice to make!

College curriculum does not anticipate for the change we’ve seen swelling in the field of Human Resources. Actually, most curriculums haven’t anticipated changes in the field for decades.

Example: I was getting handouts dated 1990 in my senior level HRM course.

This is what HR students of the world are armed with. Dangerous weapons, I say!

Luckily, I had a few people who selflessly gave their time and knowledge during my 4 years at University at Buffalo.

Barb Ulrich, HR Director at Synergy Business Management

Barb hired me into my first HR internship. I walked into the building without a resume or any solid idea of what HR actually was.  I stayed for a year and the exposure she provided me was and continues to be priceless. Getting involved with benefits enrollment, HRIS integration, recruiting, comp analysis and employee relations as a student helped clearly define the direction for my future and my abilities.

Elizabeth Vealey, Branch Manager at Robert Half

I met Elizabeth while I was the president of University at Buffalo’s SHRM club.  Collaborating with her, we developed a mentorship program for HR professionals and HR students.  Her passion and enthusiasm towards giving back and educating the future generation of business professionals is contagious!

Crystal Smith, Management Training & Development Specialist at Tops Markets, LLC

When I was looking for a change of pace in the world of internships, she brought me onboard to the Tops HR team.  A few months later, I graduated college and was offered a full time position. Her continuous support and encouragement of my development opened my eyes to the opportunities available within HR.

There are steps students can and should take to help their future careers while in school. But as you can see, my own experience had another dimension. That dimension was the support and encouragement of HR professionals. Without this, my career in HR and passion for the field would look much different.

Ride the HRevolution Wave!

What I took from HRevolution was that changes are coming. Changes that need to reach the next generation of HR professionals.  If this does not happen, the revolution gets pushed back each May, when a new class of bushy-tailed, wide-eyed HR students spread their wings.

What can you do?

Reach out! If students are being prepared with information from the 1990’s (and I’ve even seen the 1970’s!) you can help bridge the gap between textbooks and the real world.  Challenge yourself to dedicate the time.  Reach out to your local SHRM chapters to see if a mentorship program exists.  Reach out to college SHRM chapters and offer to speak to them about various HR topics. This is something I personally strive for in my career.

One person can make a difference. Are you that person?

What I’m Doing About It

Between HRevolution, the amazing contacts I’ve developed in social media and a burning desire to spur change, I’ve decided to start speaking out more.

I’m very happy to announce that I will officially start blogging about topics impacting HR, Gen Y and, of course, the crazy adventures life throws my way!  While I can’t hope to change the HR world overnight with this effort, I do know that it takes a village to make the impact necessary to spur change.

In the closing session at HRevolution, Mark Stelzner challenged the audience to do one of two things.

1. Stop complaining about HR
2. Do something about it!

I’m going to do something about it and I’d love to have you join in!

Let’s get this HR party started!

Special thanks to my very talented cousin, Chelsea Kedron, for the fantastic photographs!  Please help me thank her by visiting her various sites and checking out her great work! Facebook, Flickr and Etsy

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Tagged as: Gen Y, HREvolution, Human Resources, Kelly Mitton, Mark Stelzner, Thryving