Students connect with professionals through HR group

North Central College students involved in the Student Human Resources Group have been working during the past year to see their organization officially named a chartered student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a leading organization for human resource (HR) professionals.

Their efforts have paid off. On Jan. 17 the student group became an official chapter, opening new opportunities and benefits to students interested in the HR field.

“Being a chartered chapter gives us access to the professional association and its local events, like monthly meetings, mixers, seminars and chances to network with HR professionals,” says chapter president Todd Tabor ’13.

Students majoring in HR management are required to do an internship in the human resource field. Tabor says having opportunities to meet and connect with other HR professionals opens additional options to land those internships and future jobs.

Attending the January event were student members of the chapter, faculty advisor and North Central Associate Professor of Management Jean Clifton, and leaders of the local professional SHRM chapter, Human Resource Association (HRA) of Greater Oak Brook. HRA represents more than 100 business and nonprofit organizations in the greater Oak Brook and Chicago suburban areas.

In their yearlong effort to gain chartered status, students sought advice from North Central’s HR staff, Assistant Vice President Michelle Skinder and Assistant Director Sue Sullivan, who gave suggestions for student events and timely issues for discussion. Danielle Bank, career counselor in Career Development, helped students develop programming for panel discussions.

In spring 2012, group members hosted a panel that was open to all students and featured HR professionals who discussed how to find a job in a tough economy. Another event focused on how to use LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network, in the job search. This spring, group members will host their second annual panel, featuring alumni who have secured HR and other positions since their graduation. Panelists will share things they wish they knew when they first starting working after college.

“Having an organization like the Student Human Resources Group is a great resource for us,” says Tabor, who carries a double major in HR management and psychology. “It links the academic side and HR management major with the professional field and our futures.”

Photo, from left: Geri Mesik of HRA of Greater Oak Brook, president Todd Tabor ’13, vice president Jasmine Wheeler ’13, secretary Anna Kawula ’14, treasurer Jacob Muszczynski ’14