The Doors Held Open For Me:
I took my first organizational behavior class at UW-Madison during my sophomore year. My professor, Kelly Nyhoff, taught with immense expertise, was always available for questions, and listened carefully to her students. Throughout the semester, we built a great relationship by discussing human resources-related subjects after class and during meetings.
After spending my junior year in Spain studying abroad, I came back to an email from Professor Nyhoff for a coffee chat. During our meeting, she was happy to hear about my time abroad, my involvement in student organizations, my job search, and how I intended to advance by becoming a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).
She helpfully shared resources, contacts, and industries for me to follow up on to help me reach my goals. One way she did this was by telling me that the Director of the SHR Center hosted a class each semester to help students pass their SHRM-CP exam. Professor Nyhoff encouraged me to set up a meeting with both the Director and Assistant Director, Tanya Hubanks and Mahina Adams, respectively, to get to know the SHR Center and get more information on the SHRM-CP class. Professor Nyhoff was kind enough to send an introductory email and spoke highly of me. Because of my chat with Professor Nyhoff, I found myself sitting in front of the SHR Center leadership within a few days, something I would not have had the knowledge or courage to do on my own.
Unfortunately, the scheduled time for the SHRM exam preparation study group sessions conflicted with another of my classes. I thought participating inthe SHRM instructor-led study group sessionswould be impossible, and during our meeting, I expressed this conflict to SHR Center leaders. To my surprise, the study group schedulewas adjusted to a later time so that I would be able to attend; the Center also worked with the professor of the professor of the conflicting class allowing me to leave class a few minutes early to be on time for the SHRM-CP prep sessions.
The SHR Center team made that possible. Thanks to their commitment to UW-Madisonstudents, I was able to participate in the prep course and felt fully prepared to succeed. I can now proudly say that I earned my SHRM-CP certification. Throughout Tanya’s course, I saw the same qualities of candor and kindness I saw in Professor Nyhoff. She had no doubt in our ability to pass the exam; she believes in all of her students. She made success feel inevitable and obstacles feel like mere pebbles in the road.
After my initial meeting with the SHR Center leadership, Mahina, a true champion of undergraduate involvement, was swift to include me in many events hosted for the enrichment of human resource students. The invitations were to events such as the SHR Center Inaugural External Advisory Board meeting, the annual SHR Symposium, a critical communication simulation with the Executive MBAs, and a Career Trek visit to the UW Credit Union Headquarters. As an undergraduate, and especially as a first-generation student of color, it was easy to get anxious and feel out of place in these spaces with MBA candidates and professionals with long tenures of experience. Mahina was always there to reassure me that I belonged and that my perspective was valuable. Her reassurance allowed me to confidently bring my best self to these events, unlocking further opportunities to connect meaningfully with industry professionals.
These women took it upon themselves to go the extra mile, get to know their students, and care about outcomes. They are passionate about the work that they do and make student success their priority.
Now that I have finished my Bachelor’s degree, I can say for certain that UW-Madison’s School of Business is rich with leaders like Professor Nyhoff, Tanya, and Mahina. These professionals use their talents and contacts to be stewards of community success, they hold the metaphorical ‘door’ of opportunity open. I’m constantly inspired by the level of intention shown.
Holding the Door Open for Others
These experiences have been integral to my development into a professional and as an adult in the world. Here are a few of the ways I’ve spent time emulating the compassion and proactivity I’ve been shown:
- I am a founder of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) UW-Madison Student Chapter, becoming the first chapter of the national organization in Wisconsin. Built with the purpose of empowering and developing future leaders of Latine identity, we’ve grown to about 200 members in the three short years since its founding. Members have gone to national and regional conventions, gained internships, scholarships, and mentors through ALPFA.
- I have served as a medical translator for the Dewane Neurorehabilitative Pro Bono Clinic on campus. By utilizing my Spanish-speaking skills, I promote health equity for underrepresented populations by facilitating communication for my patients and ensuring that medical staff can provide effective care regardless of language barriers.
- During my summers at home in California, I have volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor and the Posse Foundation, aiding students ages 5 through 18 with everything from learning how to read to talking through different university options for graduating high school seniors.
- Lastly, I have had the privilege of being a mentor to three highly motivated and wonderful young women, meeting with them to discuss their academic and career goals, extracurricular involvement, and professional development. Watching them gain confidence after our meetings and hearing about their wins makes me beam with pride.
It is an honor to be helped. It is a greater honor still to be the help, a community member who takes care of others. I hope to continue volunteering, mentoring, and holding the door for those behind me in my upcoming role as an HR Generalist for UW-Madison.