Connecting with My Cohort: MHRM Program

Making Connections with Peers During the MHRM Program 

Entering the first day of classes in the MHRM program has been a whirlwind of mixed emotions. Looking back on my undergraduate university, socialization between students during class rarely lead to anything meaningful. I have had an entirely different experience at The Ohio State University. Students in the MHRM program are encouraged to bond with each other past initial introductions. The program offers many events for student involvement outside of scheduled class times. Examples of events include free tickets to a clippers baseball game, networking events, and career fairs. Below, I will be going over my most impactful experiences so far, and how my graduate cohort helped make those moments special. 

Clippers Baseball Game

The first week of orientation, students were given free tickets to a clippers baseball game with access into the Huntington lounge. Initially the task of walking into the stadium by myself felt intimidating. Eventually after walking around I ran into two second year students who were extremely welcoming towards me. Despite barely knowing anything about me, they welcomed me over to join them at their table. They informed me more about their journey with the MHRM program, summer internships, and the MHRM council positions. Eventually, students from my cohort found our table and joined the conversation. Through these types of events, the MHRM program encourages getting to know your cohort on a personal level. The event brought me closer to students and released awkwardness that can come from meeting in professional settings. 

Encouragement at Networking Events

At networking events, we encourage each other to branch out and be brave when talking with accomplished professionals. The task of connecting with established companies like PepsiCo, Vertiv, and Eaton can seem daunting at first. My cohorts encouragement has already influenced me to feel comfortable being outgoing and showcasing my authentic self to these organizations. Knowing that you have individuals alongside you on this journey establishes community. I already feel much more confident talking with HR professionals and networking. I am excited for the opportunity to continue to grow my networking and communication skills alongside my cohort. 

Fisher Culture in the Classroom

Classroom etiquette is another thing my cohort excels at. Although we are only in the first week of classes, our classroom discussions are filled with engagement. Students offer their unique perspectives to the conversation and listen intently. All perspectives are encouraged from a place of non-judgement, which I greatly appreciate. Additionally, I have decided to rotate by sitting with different students each class for the purpose of building as many meaningful connections as possible. The classroom culture sets the framework for how we treat each other, and this influence extends outside of the school setting. 

I am incredibly excited to continue to build bonds with my cohort, and develop more as an HR professional. #GoBuckeyes #MHRM