"How Did I Get Here?"

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Comments

  • Watersflo-
    I'll be honest - Nothing teaches like experience!
    April
  • Very true. That's why many of us in HR, who didn't originally track via academia into our careers, have been able to be successful in our field of endeavor. We brought our diverse work and life experiences into a career field which recognizes, values and provides renewable opportunities for continuing growth through experience.
  • ... and we get to fire people, always a plus! x;-)
  • Started off majoring in HR in college then made the switch to Finance with a minor in Psych. After 12 years as a Controller had a chance to switch to the HR world and love it (most days)! It's been a switch from the world of black and white to mostly gray but more rewarding as it's great to see people grow in their roles and know that you may have had some small part in it.

    In hindsight, the Psych classes were the classes I enjoyed most in college - saved my sanity when dealing with statistics and economics. Working with people is the best part - sure beats month-end and budgeting!
  • I was thrown into a HR/Safety position about 4 years ago. I actually applied for an accounting position. I have an accounting back ground. I was told in the interview that I would be good in HR/Safety. Been loving it ever since. I am certified in HR and will be going back to school soon for my bachelors degree. I learn something new every day. I am thankful for this forum and all the people in it. Thank you for all your advise, help, opinions. I do not ask alot of questions just kind of stay in the back and learn.
  • I was wondering how many starving artist turned responsible adults there would be here. Good to find at least a couple of us here.(trinity & ray a).

    I did the music thing in college. From college I took a minister of music position in a small church start. Because it was a new church, there wasn't much income so I also took a job in a bakery. (Donut boy by day, minister by night!!) After a year of "time to make the donuts" I moved over to Sears credit in their call center so I could get yelled at all day by people upset over their credit card bills. (minister by night helped me keep my sanity). After a few years of toughing it out there, I moved out off the phones & into the classroom as training supervisor (still at Sears). I really felt I had found a good niche. I loved it. This gave me taste for a part of the HR world.

    After 3 years & a major management restructuring that changed my position to, at times, a 60-70 hour/week position, it became apparent I couldn't juggle both this & the church. I moved back on the phones to a regular 40 hour job. But I quickly remembered why I quit the customer service thing. (Much rather teach other people how to get yelled at than do it yourself!)

    Sooo. I moved to a small finance company to process loans for truck drivers & heavy equipment operarators. After a year I was victim of corporate downsizing.

    I moved to another city to take some time off to "rethink life" (this was 2 years ago & I had committed to taking 1 year off.) I walked into a temp agency just looking for a temp job. They offered me a front desk position. After about 3 months my boss came to me & ask me to watch some worker's comp claims while she was out for a week. When she came back she continued to give me more w/c stuff. Later that month she posted a position to handle safety & w/c. I got the position. About 6 months later they added unemployment to my plate. 3 months ago I was dubbed Risk Mgt Cordinator. As a newbie, I'm enjoying the challenges.

    Dang, did I just out-type Don???????
  • >Dang, did I just out-type Don???????

    No, I think Don still holds the record; but you certainly show promise!!



  • I have never typed anything that long in my life. And the content is another matter altogether.
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 03-27-03 AT 11:42PM (CST)[/font][p]Well, I love reading your stories… but mine, in my opinion, very fascinating. OK, at least to all my friends.
    I came to US from Russia 14 years ago. I had to learn English from the very beginning; I mean Hi and Bye sort of beginning. I went to high-school and finally graduated at age 19. I went to Junior College, hoping and wanting to become a Psychologist, working with abused and neglected children. I worked as a Nanny during this time and went to college at night. That is how I learn how to negotiate and resolve conflicts. In my opinion, if you able to negotiate with the cranky toddle, everything else seems as easy as ordering your dinner take out.
    Well, I graduated with BA in Psychology and worked as a Social Worker for about 1 month or so. Then, I decided to go to Stanford Law School. I was running away from it in 3 months; concept of temporary insanity did not agree with me. Then, I joined my very first company and became a switchboard operator. My HR Manager who I was reporting to has gave me a few HR projects to work on and in 3 years I was Sr. HR Generalist. Stephanie has made a big difference in my life since she has helped me to discover my true calling. Well, it was 6 years ago. I was laid off twice in 2 years but kept coming back. At age 31, I am working as HR Director and have been involved in HR mentoring and also, in numerous HR Consulting.
    The reason why I am here is because of many people who have given me a chance to succeed. The success to me is to find what makes you happy!

    "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."


  • What a great story maryamg! I think your story naturally takes the first place prize, if there is one, hands down. Hands down means......well, I'm not sure what it means, but you still win it. I admire people like you who set a goal and do what it takes to accomplish it against all odds. You are my hero today, but, tomorrow I will have another one. Thanks for sharing. Don D.
  • >The success to me is to find what makes you happy!>

    I'm with Don; your story is truly wonderful. You have not only achieved "success" on the career ladder, but, better yet, you've found your own true calling -- by which your success has been assured. Congratulations! I'm happy to know there are folks like you whose vision and dedication lead them to help make the world a better place for all.

    p.s Try as I might, I too can't figure out the meaning of the expression, "Hands-down."
  • Perhaps "Hands Down" means that it is such a definite winner that no "show of raised hands" is required for a decision. Just a thought.
    I am only "HR by Proxy". My first job was secretary/receptionist/go-for with a small independent insurance agency, fresh out of high school. Time out for marriage and motherhood. Moved from Southern Ca to Northern Nv and took a "temporary til my husband finds work" job at the local casino as the graveyard cashier. That temporary job lasted 20 years, and included cocktail waitress, change person, waitress, dealer (blackjack, craps & roulette), and pit supervision. Left in 1996 and moved to Nashville, TN where my daughter was pursuing a music career and was a single mother. Took care of my Grandson for a year and worked part time at a department store in the linen and furniture department. Managed a small gift shop in Nashville for a year and moved to Arizona to help care for my Father. Back to Nevada and the same casino I had left,I worked as a dealer again while I repaired and sold my Mothers house that had been destroyed by renters. I was ready to move back to Arizona when an ex-boss called and offered me a position as Casino Manager in Washington. I have been here two years. It has been a definite challenge. I discovered this forum and visit as often as I can. Our Corporate HR Director is stretched pretty thin, covering a lot of properties and we do not have a full time HR person on property. We have 105 employees at this property. I have found these threads very helpful. There always seems to be information "right there" when I have a problem I need help with. I thank you all very much. Nsn
  • I majored in music in college, but never intended to make a career of it. One of my cello students was the claims manager at Blue Shield of Minnesota, and offered me a summer job in the claims department there. When I finished college the following December, I went to work for the "Blues". Several years later, I went into benefits consulting with a "big important international insurance brokerage". Eight years later, I went into a corporate benefits manager position, and grew into full-blown corporate HR manager after a few more years, later advancing to Director, and then Vice President.

    Unfortunately, as has befallen so many people in so many different areas, I was "LBO'd" out of a job in 1994. But, all's well that ends well - I'm now happily ensconced as HR manager in a plant location employing about 300 people, part of a large multi-national corporation.

    From consultant to specialist to executive to generalist - seems a little sideways and backward, but it works for me!

  • I started with a BA in Communications and didn't want to go into Personnel like my friends. "They were insane to want to work with people!" or so I thought. I worked at a hospital as a secretary and then got married and moved to another town to put my new husband through law school. I became the administrative secretary at a small hospital and when the HR director left I boldly told the Administrator that I could do her job. He gave me the chance. Since that time, I have survived three hospital mergers (one with that small hospital, two with another hospital) and have been the director of the HR department in a small hospital (that was a mergee) and the Employee Relations Coordinator in large hospital. (That was the merger.) While at the large hospital, I got a MS in Human Resources Development - which I think means that I can train people. Got a divorce from the lawyer I put though school (See above) and couldn't hack the 60 hour work weeks at the large hospital as a single parent. So, I wound up here - at a small bank system with 170 employees as the AVP of Human Resources. I love it! I am responsible for all aspects of HR, (not just specialized any more) and I know all the employees' names, and I'm home on time for my son.

    What was the Peter Principle? "Water seeks it's own level"? I'm there.





  • E Wart
    What a wonderful way to get to know everyone. I graduated from college in early 70's with a BBA major in Accounting and Minor in finance. After college graduation there were absolutely no jobs available. (Watching the news and hearing about college grads who can't find jobs and go back home and live with parents sounds so familar. I feel for them because I've been there.) After over 2 months looking (after graduation and about 6 months before) I got 2 offers in one week. One from a major department store to be a buyer trainee and one from and insurance company to handle claims. I chose the major player insurance company. (I too am one of those who wanted to go to law school but was sick of school. My family, bless them, didn't belive in sitting around and I had been in school including summer school since the 9th grade.. including a drama and debate session in FL in the summer and a physics and calculus session in WY in summer, etc.) So instead of being industrious and going to night school, I just handled auto, homeowners, worker's comp, etc claims (inside) for about 3 years. I realized after about 2 1/2 years that to go into one of their training programs and to actually better myself, I would have to transfer. (By then I had begun dating somoene who ended up to be my husband and didn't want to transfer. Also, instead of become an attorney, I just married one.). The only job that came open was in Personnel. I jumped at it. I had a wonderful mentor in the Controller and fabulous continous training programs through out my time with this company. I continued with them for 19 1/2 years. (Did all aareas of HR even an OFCCP audit. Had 5 states and over 300 employees.) Ended up closing our office in Atlanta, and I literally helped lock the door as well as finding as many jobs for our folks as possible. (I could have moved with them, but I didn't want to leave Atlanta and my husband couldn't move.) After another 3 month search I ended up with a locally owend, but nationally affiliated office furniture dealership. After 8 years with them and a relocation from 4 miles from my house to 30 miles and 1 hour drive one way, I realized that life had to be better than this. I gave up and found my present job with a privately owned manufacting company with 215 employees and offices in 8 states. What a terrific find for me. I continue to learn each and every day. (CA and TX keep me on my toes.) However, I can't think of a field of work that I would have enjoyed more (except maybe a chef.. I love to cook). I appreciate all of your input, ideas, and suggestions. Ya'll continue to help keep us all out of trouble.
  • Apparently that cooking thing comes along with HR. Be sure you check out the Hero Sandwich section of the Forum and please post your favorite recipe!

    Margaret Morford
    theHRedge
    615-371-8200
    [email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
    [url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]

  • Tourists love to come to the nation's capital in the summer when it's hot and muggy. Here's an invitation to HR members of the Employers Forum: If you happen to be on Capitol Hill area this summer and you have thirsty, drop by the United Methodist Building and I will welcome you with a glass of cold water. The main entrance is at the corner of First and Maryland Avenue, NE, which is across the street from the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court. The front door is usually locked for security reason. Don't despair, just press the button for the receptionist to let you in, then ask for the Human Resources Office. No appointment required.

    How did I get here?

    I came to Washington, D.C. in 1983 from the Republic of the Philippines as a tourist and have settled here with my Spanish-American husband and 18-year-old son since then ..... to be continued in due time.

    Eva
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