My Mentor and Me
Last quarter I wrote a little bit about the mentorship program through GHRA. Through the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio, members of Fisher's GHRA are matched to mentors in the human resources field. I was very excited about meeting my mentor last quarter and finding out about the "real world" of HR.
Since our match up, my mentor, Heather, and I have met about once a month. She is a graduate of Ohio State with an undergraduate degree in human resources. She has worked for a credit union since her internship about seven years ago, and really loves her work.
One thing I really appreciate about Heather is her willingness to freely give of her time. I email her with questions and advice frequently, and she is always quick to respond with support or knowledge that goes above and beyond the call of duty. She has also been proactive at arranging meetings for us and bringing learning materials to our get-togethers.
At our last meeting, over dinner at the Northstar Cafe, we went through the hiring process used by Heather's office. Then she gave me a mock interview. I'm sure more than a few people were giving us the side-eye as I answered her questions as if we were undergoing a real interview. Afterward she provided me with valuable feedback that I can use as I continue my search for a summer internship. Where else can you get constructive feedback straight from a professional in the field?
We're meeting again next month to talk about family medical leave, legal guidelines and weeding through resumes. That may not sound like great conversation starter, but for someone who is trying to learn about the field, this is a great glimpse into the world of work. But it's not all business. We even manage to squeeze in a little water-cooler chat while we're at it.