Where it all started and why

So... where to start? Let’s start with introducing myself. My name is Reed and I am currently a student finishing up the last semester of my bachelor's degree. When I graduate in August of 2018, I will have obtained a degree in hospital administration with some emphasis in human resources. I am currently finishing up an internship with the Department of Veteran Affairs in the HR department.

When I tell people that I want to enter the field of human resources, I am always asked why. To answer that, we need to take a step back in time.

Approx. 3 years ago, I was working in Sales. I had been doing a really good job at it and had worked my way up to becoming a Regional Manager, overseeing my own chain of retail stores. While that is my most recent achievement, I have spent several years in the retail/sales industry and worked for numerous organizations. During each of my positions there was a commonalty that was present with each organization,with the exception of one. Each company did a terrible job at managing their employees. They would treat them like pons on a chess board, not really caring much about their true abilities, but to sacrifice them once they were no longer useful. Founder of Robert Half Consulting, Bob Half said it so eloquently, “There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability”.

In the sales industry, it is very cutthroat and if you are not meeting expectations, the organizations are more like to cut you, rather than help you do better. (Don't get me wrong though, there are some great sales organizations doing it right).  In their eye’s they don’t have a desire to help develop their staff, just change them out when they are not performing. Granted, there are times where a change in staff is needed. The management doesn't do a very good job listening to those below them; almost with the mindset them there is no possible way that their lower employees could produce ideas that could create major or minor positive impact. As a result of this lack of care, the turn over rates for many companies are really high as employees are leaving for a better environment.

After seeing this behavior for years and witnessing the bad treatment of staff I realized I wanted to make a change. In February of 2017, I was give the news that I would be laid off from my then position, as Regional Manager, due to cut backs. It was devastating news as I really enjoyed the company I was working for and they were doing better then many other companies at taking care of their staff. But, changes needed to be made and I was a part of a few that were affected. 

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but after spending some time thinking about it, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to change my career. I decided that I would return to school and finish up the degree that I had put on hold. I also decided that I wanted to make an impact with organizations that would make sure that both employees and employers could be positively impacted; and I knew that HR would be a great spot for me to create the necessary impact.  Douglas Conant, former President and CEO of Campbells Soup, said it so well “To win in the marketplace you must first win the workplace”. More focus needs to be on the development of the employees before an organization can succeed and I hope to make such an impact.

During this blog, I hope to detail my experience entering the world of human resources. I hope to share my experience and gain insight from others that share the thoughts and ideas in return. So I welcome in you and thank you for following along and sharing your thoughts in return.