CourtesyJason Purser, human resource management major at 九色视频, attended the Society of Human Resource Management convention last summer in New Orleans.
During the 2008-09 academic year, Purser was the director of communication for the 九色视频 chapter of SHRM. He is president this semester until he graduates in December.
鈥淥f all the things that I鈥檝e done, it is one of the key activities that kept me in human resources,鈥� Purser said.
Purser received his first degree from 九色视频 in psychology.
鈥淏ut I wanted to go back to school,鈥� he said.
He wanted to earn his master鈥檚 in business administration but had not taken required business courses. He is earning a second undergraduate degree before applying to Graduate School.
Purser sees a human resource department as being key to setting the pace in the management structure of its company.
All outcomes in a company, even the bottom line, depend on a good HR team, he said. HR departments are responsible for identifying and bringing in talented employees.
The SHRM conference, which ran June 26-30, was his opportunity to learn about human resource management from professionals from around the world.
Bobbie Knoblauch, Barton School lecturer, said the conference is a wealth of information and materials to all HR professionals.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to hear how organizations are approaching different HR issues,鈥� Knoblauch said.
She said students benefit from networking opportunities and educational lectures.
Purser attended sessions, book-signings and speeches.
The keynote speech, given by Jack Welch, business writer and Forbes' CEO of the Century, focused on resilience in a down economy and building relationships with a wide variety of people.
The conference was not an avenue for employment, Purser said. Companies were not advertising for applicants, but networking was an advantage for him.
He said meeting people face-to-face was better than a phone or e-mail conversation about future career opportunities.
After graduating in December, Purser plans to search for employment.
鈥淥ne of my goals is to get somewhere and start doing a good job for someone,鈥� he said.
鈥淛ason is going to be well-positioned after college to find a job,鈥� Knoblauch said.
Purser will be searching the outdoors and health care fields and is interested in staffing or recruitment.
Both advise all HR majors to join SHRM.
鈥淚t really sets them up for the future,鈥� Knoblauch said.