Career Advice
Best Career Advice: If you want to advance within an organization, NEVER believe you are the smartest person in the room because growth is inevitable. If you are not the expert, find the SME (Subject Matter Expert).
Personal Career Experience: I was enlisted to spearhead a team to create a Learning Management System for the organization. I’m a food person; my entire career has been woven into the fabric of Foodservice and Hospitality Management. So needless to say I hit a brick wall and had no idea what the project entailed. A separate organization in the building hired a consultant that had experience in strategic planning and project management. I introduced myself, explained my conundrum and asked for guidance. He guided me through the process and the project was a success.
Simone Martin – Recruitment Director
NYC Bd. of Education/Office of School Food
If you choose this field (of HR), you most likely will be rewarded by the employees you work with. I have worked in two different fields. In construction, I worked for a general contractor and a subcontractor. I currently work for a retail/wholesale furniture company. And as in the past, working with the employees is what I enjoy more than anything. I feel employees want to talk to a real person; even if the question is something minor.
Be kind to employees and never condescending. Their questions and concerns are important to them, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you. I have been PHR certified since 2008, and I was very proud of myself when I sat and passed that first exam. I constantly keep up with the current laws and regulations that are always out there, and keep up my reading when sometimes it is hard to fit it into my schedule. I attend seminars as much as I can, and the part I like the best is when it is opened up for the questions and answers. I love hearing other companies talk about their different scenarios. To me, that is the real world. And I never hesitate to ask questions that I would like their input on. It (HR) is a very rewarding career for me.
Marge Rzeszut, PHR – Human Resources Director
Leader’s Casual Furniture
When I think back to my carer path I have to say that I didn’t have a formal plan. I never wrote down what I wanted; I just knew what I felt passionate about and moved in that direction. I allowed myself all the room necessary to love my first career, hate my first career, rediscover a new career and here I am, a proud HR practitioner. Although I summed up my journey in a few words it has been years of growth, maturity and exploration. Once I found my sweet spot the only thing left to do was make my mark. My best advice is….
- Be intentional about the choices you make in your career and personal life.
- Network until you are connected to more “quality” people than you dared to know.
- Assess your needs, wants and desires on a regular basis.
- Don’t seek permission to follow your heart.
- Don’t let your paycheck keep you in bondage.
- Recognize when False Evidence Appearing Real presents itself as your truth.
