Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? I decided to pursue a degree in Human Resources because I am passionate about development,
leadership, and organizational culture. I enjoy helping people reach their full potential
while supporting organizations in building inclusive, effective, and ethical workplaces.
I'm also interested in working in the sports industry because it allows me to combine
my love for sports with employee relations, talent development, and organizational
strategy.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you reach your personal, academic, and professional
goals? The HR Program at UNT has played a role in preparing me for my future career. Courses
such as Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Employment Law have
strengthened my understanding of workplace policies, leadership, and compliance. Support
from professors and exposure to HR career fairs have helped me gain clarity on career
paths within HR and build confidence in my professional skills.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways from it? I completed my internship at Bell Textron, Inc. in Fort Worth as an HR Business Partner
Intern. I supported recruiting for 50+ roles using Taleo and worked closely with HRBPs
on performance management, employee relations, and succession planning. I also completed
Excel audits and contributed to an HR operations project that improved efficiency
and consistency across teams. Overall, the experience gave me hands-on exposure to
strategic HR work and helped me better understand how HR supports both employees and
business goals.
What are your career aspirations? My career goal is to work in Human Resources within the sports industry. I also aspire
to grow into a leadership role where I can help create supportive environments that
promote both professional success and personal growth.
If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement and how it helped
prepare you for industry. Through my involvement with UNT SHRM as the Director of Community Relations, I was
able to gain exposure to the HR profession by attending meetings, networking, and
learning about current industry trends. This involvement helped me better understand
HR practices, strengthened my professional presence, and reinforced the importance
of continuous learning and networking within the field.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? I chose to pursue a degree in HR because I have always loved business, and I have
a passion for helping people. I feel like HR is a perfect mix of the two.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, and/or
professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.) At UNT, I have had an amazing opportunity to learn about all aspects of business and
HR through my coursework. The professors in the Department of Management care about
their students and want to see them succeed not only academically but also after earning
their degree.
What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program? The most important thing I have realized is that people are the organization. HR is
about building relationships and creating a successful environment for the company
and employees to succeed.
What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why? My greatest academic achievement has been maintaining a 4.0 GPA during my time at
UNT.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways from it? I completed my internship with Envoy Air, the largest regional airline owned by American
Airlines. One of the key takeaways I had was how important technology, especially
AI is becoming in the workplace. Another valuable lesson from working in a fast-paced
environment is the importance of communication and adaptability.
What are your career aspirations? After graduating with my BBA in HRM, I am planning to earn my MBA from UNT. My career
goals are to be an HR manager and a strategic HR leader in the corporate world.
What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their
experience at UNT? My best advice for future HR students is to get involved early and seek opportunities
to gain hands-on experience, even if it's in a small capacity. These experiences that
you gain throughout college will help set you apart after graduation. Professors are
resources to students and want to see you succeed. Reaching out and building relationships
with them was beneficial to me.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? My path to HR really started during my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, through
my introduction to Industrial Organizational Psychology. I quickly realized how fascinating
it was to see psychological concepts come to life in real workplace settings. That
interest led me to explore programs and course offerings at UNT, where I discovered
courses in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior. Early on into my first HR
course, I knew I had chosen the right field and, I’ve been committed to it ever since.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, and/or
professional goals? The HR program at UNT does an exceptional job of educating students and preparing
them for a career in HR. From my experience, the professors in the HR/Management department
share valuable insights and support at every opportunity. The HR networking event
also consistently provides students the chance to meet employers, build meaningful
connections, and strengthen their confidence.
What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program? The most important lesson I’ve learned in the HR program is the value of continuous
growth, development, and outreach. This mindset is essential for HR professionals
to build adaptability and resilience and to establish valuable connections with their
organization and colleagues.
What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why? My greatest academic achievement has been entering my final semester at UNT, progressing
toward a BBA in Human Resources, a BS in Psychology, and a minor in Spanish. My greatest
professional achievement has been recently stepping into an HR Coordinator role, where
I can continue to learn, grow, and apply both my coursework and internship experience.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways from it? I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have completed three internships with
The Legacy Senior Communities, Amazon, and Agora Data, Inc. These experiences strengthened
my passion for Human Resources and provided me the opportunity to apply knowledge
and skills gained through the UNT HR program in real workplace settings.
What are your career aspirations? My top career aspiration is to progress into a strategic, people-centered HR role
and to focus on developing early career professionals, inspired by the mentorship
and guidance I have received.
If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain
how your involvement helped you prepare for industry. I have been a member of UNT SHRM since Fall of 2024! Being a member has given me a
great opportunity to build connections within the HR program and bond with others
who share similar career goals. This semester I have also taken on the role of Director
of Development, where I am helping lead fundraising efforts to support our chapter’s
growth.
What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their
experience at UNT? My advice is to fully embrace growth and learning, and to actively participate in
the programs offered within the Ryan College of Business. Our campus provides incredible
resources geared toward professional development, and the key is to take make the
most of them.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? I was inspired to pursue HR because of a personal experience. Years ago, I had a medical
event that caused me to need accommodation at work. HR was able to support me and
guide me during one of the hardest times in my life, and now I want to pay it forward.
I believe that employees are a business’s biggest asset, but they need support to
grow into the best versions of themselves and fulfill their professional dreams.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, and/or
professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.) The Professors in the HR department welcomed me with open arms. I attended multiple
professional development events, including the HR Southwest Conference in 2024. Through
this networking, I got an internship in the HR department of the City of Carrollton
(Thank you Dr. Aguilar!). Receiving the Fall 2025 Internship Scholarship was an honor,
and it shows that my Professors appreciate the work I put into both my schoolwork
and career.
What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program? Documentation! Each class has taught me a different reason why documenting everything
is critical in HR, from investigation, liability, workers' comp, etc. Make sure to
document everything to cover your assets!
What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why? My greatest accomplishment has been persevering through the tough times. Having a
part-time job, internship, and school full-time has challenged me more than I could
have imagined, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am building key skills and
developing for the career I want.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways from it? I completed a summer internship for Ray Roberts State Park that taught me a lot about
compliance and people management. It also translated into a permanent position as
a Customer Service Representative. I am also currently interning at the City of Carrollton.
Through this, I have learned a lot about recruitment and risk management. All of my
supervisors have taken me under their wing, teaching me all that I can absorb. I cannot
express enough gratitude for their support!
What are your career aspirations? I want to become an Employee Relations Manager so I can be a resource to employees
and the employer in complex situations, leveraging investigation skills and empathy.
I also eventually want to complete a J.D. and become an employment lawyer.
What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their
experience at UNT? The power of networking cannot be understated. Reach out to your professors and peers,
send those LinkedIn messages to hiring managers, and put yourself out there. The job
market ebbs and flows, but with a solid network, you will have options and a sense
of stability in your career.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? I’ve always loved working closely with people, and HR allows me to combine that passion
with strategic thinking and problem-solving. I’m drawn to the field's dynamic nature
and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both employees and organizations.
HR aligns well with my personality and the career path I see myself thriving in.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you reach your personal, academic, and/or professional
goals? Courses like Strategic Rewards and Performance Management and People Analytics and Information Systems have prepared me for the real world through hands-on simulations, real-world problem-solving,
and data-driven presentations. My involvement in UNT SHRM, first as a member and now
as an officer, has also helped me expand my professional network and connect with
peers and HR professionals. Additionally, the support and guidance from my professors
have been invaluable to my growth.
What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program? I learned that while HR plays a vital role in organizational success, fostering a
positive culture and supporting employees are equally important. Maintaining a positive
attitude and embracing continuous learning are essential because HR is always evolving
and there is always more to discover.
What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment, and why? Securing my internship has been my greatest accomplishment. I transferred from a different
college and had to quickly catch up academically while balancing full-time work and
school. Through hard work, strong connections, and taking multiple summer courses,
I was able to land interviews and ultimately, earn an internship. That experience
reinforced my dedication and resilience.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways? I began my internship with the City of Murphy, where I gained valuable insight into
public sector HR and worked on records management, recruitment, and onboarding. I
am now transitioning into an internship with Safran, where I will focus on developing
their training program. These experiences have allowed me to apply what I’ve learned
in class to real-world HR projects.
What are your career aspirations? I hope to work in the private sector, ideally in training and development. My long-term
goal is to grow into a leadership role, such as Director of HR or Chief Human Resources
Officer, where I can contribute to organizational strategy and help shape company
structure and culture.
If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement and how it helped
you prepare for the industry. I have served as an officer for the past two semesters, first as the Director of Development
(Fundraising) and now as the Director of Community Relations (Community Service).
These roles have allowed me to grow as a leader, create opportunities for student
engagement, and support our SHRM chapter through events and fundraisers. Through this
involvement, I’ve strengthened my communication, time management, and problem-solving
skills, while also deepening my passion for HR.
What advice do you have for future HR students at UNT? Make the most of your time in the program. It’s normal to experience imposter syndrome,
but growth is part of the journey. Attend events, join student organizations, connect
with professionals, and participate in career fairs. Seek out leadership opportunities,
stay committed to your academics, and never hesitate to put yourself out there. The
more you invest in your experience, the more you will gain from it!
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR? I've been around HR since I was young because my dad works in HR. As I got older,
I realized how well a role in HR would fit my personality and be something I would
be good at and enjoy.
How has the HR Program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, and/or
professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.) The HR program has been so helpful for my academic growth. Specifically, Professor
Welch, Aguilar, and retired Lecturer, Professor Westurn's classes have taught both
entry-level and in-depth HR courses that have challenged me and helped me succeed
as the HR professional I am today and who I wish to be tomorrow.
What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program? The most important thing I have learned from the program is the importance of relying
on your professors. They truly are there to help you succeed both academically and
professionally. I am so lucky to have professors who take the time to learn their
students' goals and help guide them on the right path.
What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why? My greatest accomplishment has been my work at my internships and the mentorship relationships
I have created with my supervisors.
Where did you complete your internship, and what were some key takeaways from it? I have had many amazing opportunities in HR. I began as a summer student with Mayo
Clinic in 2023. I interned during the past two school years at WorldSprings in The
Colony, beginning September 2024, and then I completed my internship at McNeilus Truck
and Manufacturing in Dodge Center, Minnesota, over the summer of 2025. One of my major
takeaways from my internships is the broad view of HR I have gained. I have developed
a new skill set at each company and gained exposure to different industries and HR
teams that have supported me throughout, answering my many questions as I gained experience.
What are your career aspirations? My career aspirations are always changing, but one thing that hasn't changed is my
desire to make a difference. Whether that is from employee relations, payroll, onboarding,
or other HR aspects, at a large corporation or a small, locally owned business, I
want the team members I work with to be seen, heard, and looked after. I strongly
believe I will be able to accomplish that goal in different ways at every step of
my career.
If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain
how your involvement helped you prepare for industry. I am involved in UNT SHRM as a member and have gained valuable insight into the corporate
world from HR professionals and my peers.
What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their
experience at UNT? My advice for future HR students is to ask questions. As a student and intern, it
is the best way to learn and show that you have a passion for what you are learning.
How did your professional experience influence your choice of research areas? I spent fourteen years in industry split between public accounting and an investment
bank. So, my interest in studying organizations came directly from my experience working
in them. I became interested in neurodiversity because I participated in a neurodiversity
hiring initiative at my last organization and it really made me think about systemic
disadvantage and the implications of living in a world that wasn’t designed for you,
which was quite relatable to me given my low vision disability.
What skills do you think future leaders need in a technology-focused workplace As we become increasingly reliant on technology, I think it is important that we do
not lose our emphasis on developing critical thinking skills. That said, I think we
need to do that while learning how to responsibly integrate technology, rather than
discouraging its use. I also think that as technology seems to play some part in the
polarization we see in our society, we should be integrating mechanisms to foster
discourse that emphasizes respectful disagreement between individuals with different
beliefs and viewpoints.
What advice do you have for students and job seekers entering today’s competitive
job market? Build your network. Join the club, volunteer at the event, connect with people both
online and in person. Make a point to get to know someone new in each of your classes.
You never know who can help you, or who you will be able to help, later in your career,
so don’t turn down the opportunity to build your network and contribute to your community.
It can go a really long way.
In simple terms, how can companies better support neurodiverse job applicants? I like the phrasing of this question because whether intentionally or not, you have
touched on the idea what we are all neurologically diverse, so designing systems that
flush out skills required to do the job rather than the best interviewer in the room
independent of whether or not that is even a necessary skill can be one way to really
improve outcomes. I should also give a word of caution to HR professionals planning
to screen applicants with AI tools. These tools categorically screen out neurodivergent
applicants at a higher rate than neurotypical applicants so if you are trying to respect
the neurodiversity of our workforce, and carry neuroinclusion into your workplace,
these tools should be used with caution.
How did working at Goldman Sachs and KPMG shape your perspective on people and organizations? This might not be exactly what you had in mind for an answer, but I think everyone
should have to spend a few years in corporate. While it wasn’t for me, I don’t regret
my time there at all. I met great people. I developed an exceptional work ethic. I
learned to do hard things, and how to navigate power dynamics and office politics.
I learned to cope with disappointment over a missed promotion, and how gratifying
it is to persist and earn that promotion the next go around. I learned that systemic
change is slow, but that doesn’t mean good people can’t make an immediate impact.
That firsthand experience has made transitioning to academia a lot easier and informs
nearly all of my theorizing because it allows me to connect to the work I am writing
about in a really tangible way.
What led you to transition from roles at Goldman Sachs and KPMG into research? I always knew I wanted to be in academia, but I wasn’t sure if I’d get the opportunity
to go back after having a family and being an important financial contributor to that
family. Some org changes timed with Covid and some personal circumstances opened a
window, and here I am!
University of North Texas 
Hometown: 
Where is your hometown?
Where is your hometown?
Where is your hometown?
Where is your hometown?
Where is your hometown?
How did your professional experience influence your choice of research areas?