When did I grow up...

I remember being so confused when I left college. I had to make all these big decisions that would affect the rest of my life. So much pressure...I almost cracked a few times. Over the last 8 years since I said goodbye to higher learner my life has been one huge eye opening experience. I work in Human Resources at the BEST PR Firm in the world, but if you asked me in college if HR was my bag I would have laughed. I didn't think it was exciting enough for the life I wanted, but slowing God has opened up doors and showed me the light. In all fairness to the Big Guy He tried to tell me the last week of college the direction He wanted me to go.

I was working in the Career Center at Liberty University when the Director of the center pulled me into her office and told me I had a talent for interviewing. She said I had a way of making people feel comfortable, and she saw me going into the HR/Career development field. At the time, I was not open to the suggestion. I wanted to work in the music industry developing artists. THAT'S A STORY..

In the years after college I went from the Service industry, to Non-profit, to Finance, to insurance, to medical...but finally found my place in Human Resources at Ketchum. Since being at Ketchum I have grown and developed in ways I never knew I wanted...but I love my job and the people I work with. I love helping people find jobs. I love being part of a process that develops and trains our people. I love being challenged everyday. I don't know when but I became passionate about my career and the career of others. I desire to set up everyone I touch for success...whether it be current staff or future staff.

Because college was such a confusing time for me I LOVE going to Career Fairs for my company and speaking with the students. I love passing on bits of knowledge that will help prepare these kids for success. At the end of a Career Fair, I'm always on a high. My voice might be gone from talking to hundreds of kids and I might be hungry from skipping lunch so every student can speak with me...but I'm still on a high. In those moments I know what I'm meant to do...I'm meant to work in Human Resources.

This past fall I had the opportunity to attend the PRSSA Annual Conference in DC for my company. I was very lucky to have Ron Culp our Chicago Director join me at the booth. Today, Ron sent me the article he wrote to the PRSSA Forum where he quoted a few of my tips I passed onto the students http://www.culpwrit.com/.

This totally made my day and I thought...when did I grow up? :-)