HR Student Spotlights

Caroline Kroeger

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-kroeger/

Where is your hometown?
The Woodlands, TX

​​​Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR?
I decided to pursue a degree in Human Resources because I am drawn to a career field that offers consistent growth, change, and opportunity. I enjoy problem solving and helping people navigate through challenges.  I want to be a supportive voice for employees, advocating for their needs, and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

How has the HR program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, a/o professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.)
The HR program at UNT has helped me toward my personal, academic, and professional goals. UNT's HR career fairs sharpened my networking and interview skills while expanding my industry insights. The outstanding RCOB professors offered me valuable mentorship, guiding me towards my aspirations in the field of Human Resources.

What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program?
I think the most important thing I have learned in this program is the importance of continuous learning as an HR professional. A person working in this field needs to keep up with the changing dynamics in their industries to remain legally compliant and strategically competitive.

What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why?
My most significant accomplishment during my time at UNT is maintaining my high grade point average as a full-time student while simultaneously working full-time hours in HR and HR Related positions.

Where did you complete your internship and what were some key takeaways from it?
I am currently an onboarding intern at North American Plastics located in Irving TX. Working with the payroll team has allowed me to gain experience in HR activities outside of just onboarding.

What are your career aspirations?
While I am currently most interested in recruiting and onboarding, I would like to gain experience in multiple areas of HR such as health and safety, employee relations, and compensation & benefits through a number of specialist roles.

If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain how your involvement helped you prepare for industry.
My involvement with SHRM helped me meet people with similar career goals and gave opportunities to learn with them. SHRM is also a great way to hear about upcoming opportunities, job openings, internships, and industry knowledge.

What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their experience at UNT?
For HR students at UNT, my advice is to begin searching for internships one or two semesters after starting HR-focused classes. Join UNT SHRM and participate in events and learning opportunities. Students should form relationships with professors and classmates to enhance their learning experience and have a network that can provide references and opportunities for their career.

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Elizabeth Huddleston

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-huddleston

Where is your hometown?
I was born and raised in Arlington, TX!

Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR?
I decided to pursue a degree in HR through my interest in Psychology. For the longest time, I have been interested in people and known that I was meant to work with them. Becoming a psychologist did not suit my strengths. One day when researching jobs for people interested in Psychology, HR came up.

How has the HR program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, a/o professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.)
The HR program has helped me reach my goals by having us apply class concepts into real-world situations. This was through discussions, simulations, presentations, and more. I especially enjoyed the Strategic Rewards and Performance Management course for its challenging, yet unique approach.

What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program?
I learned how to work/strategize in a group and be able to voice my opinions/ideas knowing they are well thought-out.

What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why?
One of my greatest accomplishments is when I was nominated for Student Employee of The Year. I worked at the Career Center for over 2 years and happily committed myself to be a leader in the Career Ambassador program. Although I did not win, I highly appreciated the recognition given.

Where did you complete your internship and what were some key takeaways from it?
I had/have two internships. My first HR internship was with Safran Electrical & Power in the Summer of 2021. And my current internship is with RESPEC where I started in May 2023. One of my main takeaways is to be open to learning and engaging in all aspects in HR. I have tried to say “Yes” to all new tasks, projects, and learning opportunities given so I can have a well-rounded perspective, relevant experience, and a good idea of my strengths and weaknesses. Another key takeaway is to take initiative. If there is something you want to try or something within the company you feel like you can help improve upon, bring it to your supervisors’ attention. Taking initiative shows your interest, excitement, and commitment to the company.

What are your career aspirations?
Through my experience with group projects, the Career Center, and recent retreats with my current Internship, I have found a love for strategic planning/coordination and team building. One day I would love to be able to be a consultant to companies and help them develop company culture, strong teams, and create strategic plans.

If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain how your involvement helped you prepare for industry.
I joined UNT SHRM in Spring 2023 and became the Director of Merit in Fall 2023. My involvement so far has kept me informed on trending topics in the HR/business industry. This helps me make suggestions in my classes and at my internship as well as have informed conversations with those in my network over relevant material.

What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their experience at UNT?
I think that as important as academics and having a good GPA are, so is experience. Make sure you take internships early, join organizations, have an occasional lazy night, get out of your comfort zone, find your passions, etc., I may not have the highest GPA but I feel confident in what I have gained at UNT.​​​​​​​

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MichellePavlik

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michellepavlik2001

Where is your hometown?
Flower Mound, TX

Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR?
While it may sound cliché, my passion has always been to make a positive impact on those around me. I was initially admitted to UNT with plans to pursue a degree in Hospitality, but eventually decided to shift gears towards a certification in Event Management instead, ultimately leading me to focus on Human Resources as my major. This decision was driven by my desire for greater flexibility in how I could support and assist others. I found that Human Resources perfectly aligned with this criterion, offering me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives within the various departments that HR has to offer.

How has the HR program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, a/o professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.)
Undoubtedly, the HR-focused courses I undertook at UNT have been invaluable in preparing me for the realities of a career in Human Resources. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Professor Welch and Professor Aguilar, whose unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my journey. Their deep passion for the field and wealth of expertise not only affirmed my choice of degree but also provided invaluable insights into navigating the HR field. Beyond serving as a reliable source of comfort during the job search process, their mentorship played a pivotal role in securing my first internship directly related to my degree, eventually leading to a full-time position.

What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program?
In the HR program, I gained a profound understanding of the delicate balance between serving as a pillar of support and empathy for colleagues while also being a dependable resource within the company to facilitate their professional growth without undue stress. Unlike many other professional fields, Human Resources carries the unique responsibility of supporting employees not only in their professional endeavors but also in their personal lives. This versatile aspect of HR was a significant motivating factor behind my decision to pursue this degree, as it allows me to offer assistance to colleagues in various capacities, enriching their lives both professionally and personally.

What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why?
One of my most significant professional achievements occurred when I proposed an innovative idea to CAI's technology department. I suggested developing an AI model designed to support our HR compliance efforts, effectively creating a comprehensive database to track current laws and regulations nationwide. Following extensive discussions with multiple managers, our tech team enthusiastically embraced the project. It was an incredibly surreal experience to see my AI concept, born during my internship, swiftly adopted and pursued by the company within a matter of weeks.

Where did you complete your internship and what were some key takeaways from it?
I had the opportunity to complete an internship with CAI, a prominent digital consulting company. This experience proved to be immensely rewarding, allowing me the chance to immerse myself in various aspects of HR across the organization. My manager deliberately curated the internship to provide exposure to every aspect of HR, empowering me to discern my interests and strengths within the field. This tailored approach ensured that I maximized the benefits of my summer internship, gaining invaluable firsthand experience across multiple HR departments.

What are your career aspirations?
Currently, I am preparing to embark on a full-time role within CAI's HR department upon graduation. As for my long-term career aspirations, I remain open to various possibilities. While I may not have a definitive path mapped out yet, one thing is certain: I am committed to pursuing a career that prioritizes the well-being of others. This overarching goal is my guiding principle as I navigate my professional journey, and I am excited to see where it leads me.

If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain how your involvement helped you prepare for industry.
Among my cherished experiences with UNT's SHRM, a standout memory is our community service involvement in UNT's "The BIG Event." Assigned the task of replanting various plants following a freeze from the previous year, our SHRM team collaborated with other UNT organizations to ensure everything was replanted in a timely manner. This experience not only fostered enjoyable team bonding but also proved immensely rewarding as we witnessed the tangible results of our collective effort. Engaging in these community volunteer opportunities has not only strengthened my self-assurance that I am pursuing the right degree for myself but has also fueled my ongoing passion for contributing to the well-being of others whenever possible.

What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their experience at UNT?
Engage in networking opportunities, such as joining SHRM, and don't hesitate to ask questions in your classes – and yes, network some more! Attending workshops during SHRM's bi-weekly meetings, like those focused on optimizing my LinkedIn profile, proved instrumental in securing my first internship and ultimately landing a full-time HR role.

In addition to networking, I've always been the type of student to flood my professors with extra questions, extending beyond the required coursework (apologies to Professors Welch and Aguilar). However, I found that by seeking clarification through these inquiries, I gained a deeper understanding of concepts crucial for entering the professional HR field. Whether you're facing challenges in HR-related courses or any other subject, never hesitate to seek assistance and ask for help!

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Jericha Brock

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jerichabrock/

Where is your hometown?
I live in Schertz, Texas.

Why did you decide to pursue a degree in HR?
I got the recommendation to pursue human resources from my dad. He talked to me about HR and how vital it is to business functions. I felt that this would be a great industry for me to learn about and be involved in, before continuing to law school.

How has the HR program at UNT helped you to reach your personal, academic, a/o professional goals? (specific courses, advice from professors, HR career fairs, etc.)
The UNT Human Resources Program is amazing. The professors and advisors that are available to me were great help in learning and making decisions about my future. Even before I became involved in the SHRM chapter it was clear how dedicated my professors were about HR and our understanding of the concepts they were teaching to us.

The HR Career Fairs and Networking events we have every semester were very insightful. While I was there, I had the chance to interact with several HR groups from different corporations. Because I have been involved for a while now, I have noticed that I have not seen the same people attend. It is great for us to experience seeing different professionals and perspectives of hiring managers that are coming to speak with new graduates.

What was the most important thing you learned in the HR program?
“Cover your assets” has become one of my favorite sayings. When I think about the meaning, it encompasses more than just an email trail. It also means to read thoroughly, think things through, and be on top of everything that you are doing within the profession. There are a lot of things that are going to be happening in our jobs and it is up to us to manage them appropriately. Therefore, another way I have come to understand this statement is to take your time. It seems that we are going to be very busy people stepping into this field, but taking the time to “cover your assets” will be vital to our success in HR.

What is your greatest academic or professional accomplishment and why?
My greatest accomplishment is completing school. Finishing my degree was never hard but some semesters I took on a lot between classes, my job, SHRM, and an internship. So I am glad that I was able to stay focused on the long-term goal.

I am proud of my involvement in SHRM. I was a member, an officer, and then I became the President. I have been able to see many different aspects of our organization and I am grateful for the people that I have worked with and the experiences I have been awarded being a part of SHRM.

Where did you complete your internship and what were some key takeaways from it?
I was able to work with the Benefit Assistance Center at Lockton Dunning during Fall 2023 and it was great. The environment that I and the other interns were placed into was very welcoming and understanding. I learned a lot about benefits and the many layers it has. One of the things that our team did was show us other parts of the human resource office at Lockton. We had several calls with leaders from other teams where we were able to ask about their functions and duties. It was nice that they were open to sharing information about other HR fields and direct us towards them if we were interested in that area.

Another opportunity I had was working with Dee Maddox of DMX Consulting. I worked with her over the summer to promote her brand via social media. Working with her gave me the chance to see what it is like to be an entrepreneur and the many hours that go into getting the job done. I appreciate her for giving me the opportunity to work with her and share her vision with other HR professionals.

What are your career aspirations?
My current career goal is to become an attorney. I have always wanted to practice law, but after completing my undergraduate degree in Human Resources and what I have learned, I might go into employment law as a specialty.

If you were involved in UNT SHRM, briefly summarize your involvement, and explain how your involvement helped you prepare for industry.
I am currently the President of our SHRM Chapter, and it has been a great experience. Looking back on when I was a member in SHRM, I was able to learn a lot and there were plenty of networking and growth opportunities offered to us. I was introduced to other local and collegiate SHRM chapters as well, giving me the chance to grow my network of business professionals. As a person who is now behind the scenes, I do try to make sure that there is flexibility within the meetings we host and offer to our members so that we can continue to thrive as a chapter.

What advice do you have for future HR students who want to make the most out of their experience at UNT?
My advice would be to take advantage of everything that the program is offering, whether is a job/internship posting, scholarship opportunities, and even networking events outside of UNT. I would say that is one thing that I did not do to the fullest. It does seem like a lot but placing yourselves in those rooms can help you a lot as you come to the end of your undergraduate career and are needing a job. Our HR program is growing rapidly and that just means that there will continue to be more opportunities for students, and you should look closely at all of them.

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