Reflections on my First Semester of the MHRM
Author: Nick Sanchez-Zarkos, MHRM
Upon first entering the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business' MHRM Orientation back in August, my mind was filled with countless questions and a general feeling of nervousness. What challenges would I face in these Masters-level courses? How am I going to get through four days of evening classes while working part time jobs? Will I have good relationships with my peers and make friends? Looking back on the "first-day" nerves a third of the way into the program, I feel increasingly confident in my decision to partake in this program, and with a semester of knowledge and experiences behind me, can make some reflections and takeaways as to the journey thus far.
First and foremost, this semester has taught me a lot about time management. While I knew going into this program that managing your time effectively and utilizing a calendar/planner is incredibly impactful to success, I quickly realized that this also includes the self-scheduling of time for breaks, meals, time with family and friends, and even weekly errands and chores. Google Calendar, the Notes app, and When2Meet have become dear friends over the course of this semester. One activity I started in my undergraduate studies that has remained incredibly helpful is writing down deadlines and tasks. I have kept a notebook with me separating personal, school, and work assignments through a system of TO DO (a sequential list of tasks to complete by priority) DUE (what the next week holds in store for deadlines), and DONE (what has been completed thus far, or an ongoing record of steps completed in multi-step tasks). I'm always eager to improve and adapt within this skillset.
Additionally, as I reflect on my time so far, I'm eternally grateful for the connections I've made thus far within this program. While networking and communication is essential to any program or environment, being surrounded by fellow students interested/involved in Human Resources has made these skills increasingly important. I have made friends and established relationships with people of increasingly diverse backgrounds, career experience, and cultural upbringings. Not only does our diverse and close-knit cohort make for more meaningful class discussions, but it also provides each student with resources and mini-networks for future jobs, advice, and casual conversations. This also extends to the fantastic professors of the Fisher College of Business. Whether you are conversating with a professor in office, after class, or even amidst class discussion, valuable insights and understanding can be taken from interactions with these professionals. In just the course of a semester, I have connected to and learned from multiple professors who can provide my peers and I with the resources and knowledge needed to further our careers, all while remaining professional and personable.
This semester's coursework has also been a transformative experience, expanding my understanding of business and HR concepts while challenging me to think critically about the future of my field. Each class offered unique insights: Future of HR helped me consider the role of technology and AI on the world of work, while MBA in a Semester taught about cross-functional thinking and applying HR skills to the broader business. Contemporary Topics sparked eye-opening discussions on non-traditional talent and mental health, while Staffing and Organizational Change emphasized the importance of Total Rewards, leadership, and change models. Each course, while building on my HR knowledge and skills, also deepened my appreciation for the strategic-side of HR and just how important people (and their management and employee experience) are to the success of an organization, which is one of the strongest reasons I picked Human Resources in the first place.
From case studies/competitions and class discussions to post-class Varsity Club debriefs and Sunday groupwork meetings, I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge and experiences I have taken with me from this first semester. These takeaways and learnings from time management, connections, and coursework will extend beyond the classroom and workplace, and I look forward to all to come from my final two semesters in the program.
