As an undergraduate student at UTC, Jonathan Moore knew that he was interested in breaking into the business world. He decided to pursue a degree in business and administration management, but after gaining exposure to the HR field, he added another degree in human resources as well. His student internship in Erlanger Health System’s finance department allowed Jonathan to gain experience, make connections…and eventually begin a full-time HR role at Erlanger! Now Jonathan not only works in a recruitment role that he loves but also has the SHRM designation beside his name to prove his HR knowledge.
Marah: What led you to pursue SHRM certification, especially so early on in your career?
Jonathan: I spent a lot of time talking to my mentors and leaders at Erlanger before making any decisions regarding professional development. I wanted to get their insight on what course of action would benefit my career most right now. I landed on becoming SHRM-certified because I knew the process would allow me to gain a lot of information within my preferred time frame! Certification can be obtained in a few months rather than a few years, which was a good fit for me as I knew I could fully devote myself to the process.
M: Why did you choose to take the SHRM Exam Prep Course at UTC?
J: I love UTC. I had a great undergraduate experience there and already generally knew the school and its workings. Also, I have coworkers who previously attended the SHRM prep course at UTC and had amazing experiences. Between my appreciation for UTC and the professionalism of the department, as well as the success stories I had heard, I felt confident in my decision to participate in the course.
M: What were your interactions with the instructor like? What about with your peers?
J: The gentleman who taught my prep course, Todd Dockery, was also my instructor for a couple of my undergraduate courses. He is a great and knowledgeable instructor! Previously, I had only had him for in-person classes. Our SHRM class was virtual, but I was impressed with how seamlessly he transferred into the “Zoom classroom.” He did a great job with keeping the class continuously engaged and taking time to address any questions students had. It really worked out quite flawlessly.
With my peers, I found it interesting to hear from individuals who work in HR industries outside of mine. I have attended various HR courses throughout my career, but most were tailored to the healthcare industry. I enjoyed hearing the similarities between our industries—for example, how we have comparable challenges—but then hearing the contrasts in approaching those challenges due to industry differences. There is value in hearing different perspectives.
M: What is one major takeaway you had from the course?
J: The course caused me to heavily think about the methodology behind our HR practices. Why do we do what we do? How have those methods evolved over time, whether culturally or professionally? There are many topics within the HR realm I work in and around every day, but the course cultivated a more in-depth understanding of many common HR practices.
M: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in taking UTC’s SHRM Exam Prep Course?
J: The course is a highly valuable resource in preparing for the exam. You have an instructor who wants to see you succeed and gives you the tools to do so. However, even if you aren’t looking to take the SHRM exam, I would suggest that any HR professional enrolls in the course! You’ll be able to greatly expand your HR knowledge and overall view of the field. As I mentioned previously, learning more in-depth about the mechanics behind HR practices, as well as learning alongside diverse individuals, is impactful. The course will also expand your knowledge of HR components you might not consistently deal with. For example, I have always taken a liking to the employee relations and legal side of HR. The course expanded that interest and even answered personal questions I had about those areas.
M: Anything else you would like to share about your SHRM Certification Exam Prep experience?
J: The course enabled me to do my best on exam day. I was able to stay calm and focused because I knew that I was prepared, and UTC’s course played a tremendous role in that.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marah Whitaker (think Laura with an M) serves as the marketing assistant for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, she spends time writing blog posts, creating content for social media, developing email campaigns, and building relationships with CPE’s customer base. During her free time, you can find her getting lost in a good book, having spontaneous dance parties, playing piano, and going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wing Night. Professionally and personally, she aspires to live by Mr. Feeny’s advice, “Dream. Believe. Try. Do Good.” She strives to use her passions to serve others and contribute positively to the world around her.
Connect with Marah on LinkedIn.