As graduation gets closer, I have started noticing all the little “lasts”: the final group project, the last presentation, the closing exam of a program that pushed me further than I expected. Each “last” feels worth slowing down for and recognizing as I prepare to close this chapter and step into the next. At the same time, I have also been looking ahead to what comes next and reflecting on how much this MBA journey has shaped me, both personally and professionally.
This summer, I will be returning to Microsoft, where I interned last year, after accepting a full-time position in their HR2P rotational program. Details like my exact role, team, and office location are still being figured out, but that uncertainty has not taken away from my excitement. If anything, it reminds me of something I have learned about working in HR: things are always changing, and being able to adapt matters just as much as technical knowledge.
The HR2P program is a three-year rotational experience where participants move through different HR roles across the organization. Programs like this are designed to help early-career employees build experience across multiple areas before choosing where they want to specialize. That was a significant part of what attracted me to it. After such a positive internship experience last summer, I knew this was the right environment for me. The culture, the work, the location, and the people all felt like a strong fit.
During my internship, I worked in an HR Business Partner role, which was originally the area I was most interested in pursuing. It was a valuable experience because it helped me better understand which parts of the role I enjoyed most, what challenged me, and where I could see myself building a long-term career in HR. I left with a stronger understanding of how the HRBP function operates, a clearer sense of the skills I still want to strengthen, and a stronger interest in other areas that directly shape the employee experience, including talent management, learning and development, and organizational effectiveness.
Learning what excites you, as well as what challenges you, is something I have come to see as essential when building a career in HR. Through both my internship and my coursework, I found areas that felt more intimidating, which honestly just made me want to learn them more. I hope this rotational experience gives me the chance to build confidence in those spaces and become a more well-rounded HR professional.
My MBA experience has played a central role in preparing me for this transition. Classes in compensation, negotiations, change management, and strategic staffing gave me knowledge I know I will draw on throughout my career, and more importantly, they helped me understand HR as a strategic business function, not just an administrative one. Some of the most meaningful lessons came outside the classroom, too. Consulting projects, case work, mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities all challenged me in different ways, helping me become more confident, think more critically, and approach business decisions with both strategy and empathy. Those are the skills I know will matter most as I continue building my career in HR.
On a personal level, I am also excited to return to Washington state. My two years in Madison have been more meaningful than I expected. This city gave me lasting friendships, routines that quickly felt like my own, and a sense of comfort that made it easy to settle in. Living in the Midwest for the first time gave me experiences and a real appreciation for the very specific personality of Wisconsin winters that I will carry with me long after I leave. At the same time, I am looking forward to returning to the mountains, the energy of the West Coast, and the excitement of building a new routine in a place that already feels like home.
To anyone earlier in their HR career, or considering an MBA with an HR focus, I would encourage you to lean into the experiences that stretch you, especially the ones that feel uncomfortable at first. Some of my biggest growth came from realizing what I did not know yet and choosing to stay curious instead of avoiding it. I think that mindset is what helps someone become not just a good HR professional, but a thoughtful one.
I will always be grateful for what Madison gave me and for the people who made it feel like home. I leave more independent, more confident, and better prepared to become the HR professional I hope to be. Seattle is next, and I feel ready and excited for the opportunities and challenges that come with it.