On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Career Connections Center hosted a virtual panel event on careers in human resources. The panelists provided insight about the day-to-day of their roles, and how they’ve leveraged their educational background and technical skills to launch successful careers in Human Resources.
(Special Note: This blog post was adapted from the AI Summary provided by Zoom).
CLICK HERE to access the event recording.
Event Summary
The panelists, all HR professionals, shared their experiences and insights on the skills and challenges they’ve encountered in their HR roles, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, organization, and communication. They also discussed the role of technology in modern HR practices and how it can be leveraged to streamline processes and enhance impact within their organizations. Lastly, they offered advice on how students can prepare for careers in HR, stressing the importance of networking, gaining experience, and highlighting transferable skills and qualifications during interviews.
HR Roles and Career Paths
The panelists discuss their backgrounds and roles in human resources (HR). Sarah Blackmon introduces herself as a career pathways coach and introduces the alumni panelists. Camila Camargo graduated in 2016 with a degree in family youth and community sciences and now works as a recruiting lead at Bank of America. Kerry Thompson graduated in 2013 with a psychology degree and now leads the recruitment coordination team at Lyft. Delaney graduated in 2022 with degrees in psychology and family sciences and now works as a people specialist at a link management company. The panelists share their definitions of HR work, which involve supporting employees, having flexibility across industries, and keeping a pulse on student needs in campus recruiting. They emphasize that HR offers many different career paths and opportunities. Key skills mentioned for success in HR include flexibility, people skills, and the ability to communicate across different business areas.
HR Roles: Experiences and Challenges
In the meeting, Camila, Kerry, and Delaney shared their experiences and insights on the skills and challenges they’ve encountered in their HR roles. They emphasized the importance of flexibility, organization, patience, listening, and creativity in their work. Camila discussed her transition from recruiting technology students to leading two different recruiting teams for different sides of the business, highlighting the need for adaptability and understanding the needs of each business. Kerry stressed the value of innovation and autonomy in smaller companies, while Delaney shared her experiences working in a remote-first company, highlighting the importance of strong relationships with colleagues and the challenges of remote work. The team also discussed the importance of over-communication and succinctness in their roles.
Leveraging Technology in Modern HR
Sarah, Camila, Kerry, and Delaney discussed the role of technology in modern HR practices and how it can be leveraged to streamline processes and enhance impact within their organizations. They emphasized the importance of technology in breaking down barriers, reaching more students, and building connections. The panelists also highlighted the use of AI tools like Chat Gpt and Google Gemini for administrative tasks and the need to adapt to emerging trends. Kerry and Delaney specifically recommended learning creative skills like video editing and data analysis tools like Excel and R for HR roles.
HR Careers Preparation and Networking Advice
The panelists discuss how students can prepare for careers in HR and offer advice on networking and gaining experience. They recommend looking into HR development rotational programs at companies, which provide exposure to different areas of HR. Doing internships, even informal ones, is suggested to gain practical experience before graduating. The panelists emphasize that networking and making personal connections are crucial, as “who you know” matters in corporate environments. They advise reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn for informational chats. One panelist notes that having a unique story or experiences, even if not directly related to HR, can help candidates stand out. For mentorship in HR, both formal programs and organic relationships formed through work interactions are mentioned as options.
Career Development and Networking Strategies
Sarah led a discussion on career development, focusing on the importance of networking and career fairs. She emphasized the need to highlight transferable skills and qualifications during interviews, and the value of certifications, though not essential for career advancement. The panelists, Kerry and Delaney, agreed that major does not significantly impact career prospects in HR, and that transferable skills, communication, and dedication are more important. They also stressed the importance of professionalism and responsiveness in job applications.
