Human Resource Management Student Hired Full Time as HR Associate Before Graduating

Meet Maricca Spencer

Major: Human Resource Management
Graduating: Spring 2017
Job title: Human Resources Associate
Employer: Presbyterian SeniorCare Network
College activities: Treasurer of the Student Human Resources Association and student member of the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association
Scholarships: Pittsburgh NAACP Washington Minority Scholarship and John V. Hopkins scholarship
Hometown: Penn Hills, Pa.
High school: Penn Hills Senior High School
Now living in: Forest Hills, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Movies, various TV series, reading, learning, animals, hiking, online shopping, cooking and traveling
LinkedIn: Maricca Spencer

"Maricca's classes have helped her understand the HR field and her leadership role in the HR student chapter at Point Park has allowed her to put that learning to work."

-- Mary Kate Bartley, Talent Acquisition Director, Presbyterian Senior Care Network

As a student, how did you land your HR position with Presbyterian SeniorCare?

Throughout the fall semester, I dedicated a lot of time each day to searching for and applying to different entry-level human resources opportunities. I came across the human resources associate position with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network on Indeed.com and applied. Not too long after that, I was asked to come in for an interview. A week or so later, I was offered the position. I have always wanted to work for a nonprofit organization, and the employee reviews, which I always check before applying, were quite impressive.

Tell us about how your involvement with SHRA has helped you professionally.

I am treasurer of Point Park's chapter of the Student Human Resources Association. In this role, I have coordinated meetings and spoke in front of groups several times. These experiences have made me more comfortable with speaking in front of a crowd.

My willingness to take initiative and share new ideas has also improved. Through SHRA, I came up with the idea of a study group for the Assurance of Learning certification exam. The founder of our SHRA group, Sandra Mervosh, who is also my professor and mentor, has helped us prepare for this exam.

Additionally, at Presbyterian Senior Care, part of my job is to coordinate orientations. Based on my leadership experiences at Point Park, I'm now comfortable speaking in front of a group of employees and if I come up with a new idea, I don't hesitate to bring it up.

Describe the teaching styles of Point Park's professors.

The faculty at Point Park are very knowledgeable. They have all been very patient, understanding, kind, professional and have tried the best they can to make sure the whole class understands the material. I couldn't have asked for better professors throughout my educational experience at Point Park.

What are your career goals?

I really like the areas of talent acquisition as well as training and development. Ultimately, I would like to become a talent acquisition specialist and eventually hold a management role. Also, I would like to take the Professional Human Resources Certification exam within the next one to two years.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I really like the diversity at Point Park. All my classmates have been very kind, helpful and approachable. I like Presbyterian SeniorCare Network because I get the same feeling I do at Point Park. All of my colleagues are very approachable and will do anything they can to help. The residents and the environment at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network are just wonderful. I could really see myself staying there for quite a while.

Photo by Shayna Mendez, senior photojournalism major

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Human Resource Management Student Hired Full Time as HR Associate Before Graduating Wednesday, February 8, 2017