Why Did I Choose HR?

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When I began at the Columbus Zoo, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed being part of a team, especially stepping into leadership roles and supporting my coworkers. I started learning frontline operational duties, including inventory management, safety checklists, and interactions with people.  Over time, I formed a deeper connection with my associates, learning about their lives, their personalities, their struggles, and what motivated them. I wanted to make their jobs smoother and more manageable because they truly are the face of the organization. I wanted to stand up for them.

This experience sparked my interest in business, particularly the people side of it, and made me realize I wanted to continue my education. In the fall of 2022, I enrolled in the Business Management program at Columbus State Community College. I began taking classes such as interpersonal skills, 21st-century supervision, professional development, and HR management. These classes helped me envision a future in Human Resources, a field where I could make a meaningful impact.

I've often heard the phrase, "HR isn't there to protect the employees,  only the company." Stories on social media echoed that idea, employees going to HR for help, only to face retaliation or indifference. That mindset didn't sit right with me. I want to change the narrative and bring the "human" back into Human Resources. HR should protect the company and its people because employees are the heartbeat of any organization.

An effective HR department should advocate for its workforce, ensure fair treatment, and promote a positive work environment. A supported and happy team leads to higher performance and greater success. That includes investing in training, development, and mentorship, because without proper onboarding, employees aren't set up to succeed. They're set up to fail.

I genuinely enjoy working with people and solving workplace issues, whether that's helping schedule, resolving conflicts, fixing payroll problems, or guiding someone through training. Working in food and beverage showed me first how deeply workplace culture affects morale and performance. We need to truly listen to our employees, foster transparency, invest in their growth, and build a culture of trust and advocacy.

Human Resources is where I know I can thrive, and more importantly, where I can create real change that benefits both employees and organizations.