This spring, students in the Strategic Human Resource Management specialization had the incredible opportunity to travel to Chicago for the SHR Trek, and it was nothing short of amazing. As someone who loves Chicago, this trip felt like a dream. Walking through the city, I couldn’t help but feel as if I were in a music video for the Blues Brothers classic, “Sweet Home Chicago”. The energy, the skyline, and the fast-paced yet welcoming atmosphere hit me like a ton of bricks in the best way possible. And on top of all that, our experiences as part of the trek were invaluable. As someone who is a “career switcher”, the companies we visited and the professionals we met were both educational and aspirational. I found myself thinking several different times, “Man… I am excited to start my career in HR.”
Class of 2026
A Visit to PepsiCo: Our first stop was at PepsiCo, and I was immediately inspired by the location of their office. In the heart of downtown, the historic Post Office building reminds visitors and employees alike, this is a multi-billion-dollar, globally renowned, iconic company. Then, walking into their actual office space was an unforgettable experience. It was branded top to bottom with PepsiCo products and had that unmistakable buzz of a company operating at a high level. While all their décor was impressive, what was more impressive was how readily available they have made the “PepsiCo Way” for their employees. Brand books were available, quotes peppered the walls, and some of their spaces were named after the traits of the “PepsiCo Way”. For someone who has admired PepsiCo’s products for as long as I can remember, being there in person was surreal. Meeting Jodie and Idris provided a valuable opportunity to learn about different career trajectories. Jodie had an HRLDP experience, while Idris worked at other companies before coming to Pepsi. I found myself especially relating to Idris as he talked about how playing sports throughout his life led to his interest in organizational effectiveness. That hit home for me because I’ve spent so much time working in teams, understanding the dynamics, and seeing firsthand how leadership, motivation, and culture impact performance. Talking with him reinforced why I’m so passionate about HR and how much I want to make a difference in this space.
Dinner at Maggiano’s: After our visit to PepsiCo, we enjoyed dinner at Maggiano’s. I had the chance to meet, connect, and engage with Matt Huston, Masuma, Katie Caffery, and Michelle Cruz. All were extremely thoughtful and gave valuable feedback about starting our careers in HR. From my perspective, any opportunity to talk with professionals with people who share your passion for HR, business, and leadership is so beneficial. There was laughter, storytelling, and a real sense of camaraderie that made the night one to remember. It was one of those nights that made me proud to be part of the Badger network.
Coeur Mining: Our meeting with Coeur Mining was next-level inspiring. Emilie Schouten, CHRO, Dan Pearson, Talent Acquisition and Development Director, Mitch Krebs, CEO, absolutely blew me away. It is safe to say our SHR MBA cohort entered unsure of what Coeur Mining was about, and we left hoping we would work for a company with that kind of culture one day. They were not only brilliant in their fields but also incredibly relatable and down-to-earth. I deeply admired their approach to creating culture within their organization. I felt grateful that these executive leaders were willing to spend quality time with a group of MBA students, most of whom will not work in Chicago or at Coeur Mining. That told me a lot about the kind of people they are. I appreciated Emilie’s advice: You don’t need to work for the ‘sexy’ company, go where you feel like you can truly make a difference. That statement resonated. So often, we get caught up in big names and prestige, but the real impact comes from working in a place where your contributions matter. She also made the whole room laugh (and think) when she advised that we must work only for one “buffoon” in our career. My takeaway: don’t work for someone who doesn’t value what you do or who you are. Mitch also had one of the most refreshing ‘takes’ on leadership and trust that I’ve heard in a long time. He talked about how vital it is to work for someone who values you, and if you don’t feel valued, you should leave. He also talked briefly about compensation, suggesting to us that we should work for a company that pays people fairly, values high performance with rewards, and promotes from within. The underlying message from both was powerful: Know your worth, and don’t settle for less.
The Lyric Opera: First and foremost, this organization is a work of art in more ways than one. As we arrived, you were immediately transformed into a world of finer things. We were greeted with drinks and a beautiful spread of food, and Opera was playing in the background; it was beautiful. When we had the chance to tour the Lyric Opera (but were unable to tour the stage because of an ongoing rehearsal), it was breathtaking. The artistry, the grandeur, the sheer amount of work that goes into every production gave me such a deep respect for the professionals who make this nonprofit run so smoothly.
For me, though, the highlight was getting the chance to meet with several HR professionals from The Lyric Opera. Jennifer Boyd’s (the VP of People and Talent) approach to HR at the Lyric Opera was incredibly intentional. The way she structured their HR initiatives, with a heavy focus on Training and Development, was impressive. Seeing an organization with a 97% retention rate is no small feat, and the various factors that contribute to that level of engagement and satisfaction were fascinating to learn about. It was a reminder that HR isn’t just about hiring and compliance, it’s about creating an environment where people want to stay, grow, and thrive. I was able to ask her about her role in helping the new CEO, John Mangum, who we met as well, transition into his new role. Her answer made me think quite a bit. Essentially, she shared that because of her work and the trust she had built with the Board, they looked to her for guidance on various critical matters. This reminded me that trust is not given but earned. Some HR professionals reference having a “seat at the table”, but I am committed now more than ever to earn my right to ask for that seat, and if I haven’t earned it, I won’t ask.
Lunch at The Rivers: Finally, our last stop was a lunch networking event with some more alumni and professionals. Rebekah Reese, who is an HRBP at DoorDash, was a great person to connect with. She and I had spoken over the summer, and she had given me great insights about transitioning from an HRLDP role at J&J to an HRBP role and what that looks like from a day-to-day perspective. Over lunch, I had the chance to sit down with Ben Burney and dive into a topic I knew, and still know little about – compensation. This was an area I hadn’t explored much, but after our conversation, I have already begun to realize the complexity and strategy of this functional area. Compensation directly impacts employee satisfaction, motivation, and retention, and I walked away with a whole new appreciation for the complexities involved. I am still a little nervous about our upcoming fall 2025 compensation course, but my conversation with Ben made me more excited for the opportunity to attain professional exposure this summer.
Whether it was taking in the views, networking with amazing alumni and professionals, or learning about interesting companies, I kept remembering how lucky I am to have the opportunity to return to this great city this summer. Our SHR trek made me even more excited to start my internship at AbbVie. I made plans, and will continue making plans, to connect further with the people we met this weekend while I am here this summer. It was almost like a sneak peek of the things to come, and I like what I am seeing.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our SHR Center leaders. Their dedication to putting this trek together for us was evident in every single detail. From coordinating these incredible meetings to ensuring we had meaningful opportunities to connect and learn, to making sure we had food to eat and a place to sleep, they went above and beyond. On behalf of all of us students, thank you. We are so grateful for the work, time, and energy you put into creating these opportunities for us.
Chicago has always had my heart, but this trip made me appreciate it in an entirely new way. It wasn’t just about the city, it was about the people, the connections, and the inspiration that came from every single meeting and conversation. This weekend reaffirmed why I’m so passionate about HR and how excited I am to step into this career.
Until next time, Chicago, I already can’t wait to be back.