BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
GRAPHIC BY HANNAH KITZMANN
According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s webpage , SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. With 300,000 + HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally (www.shrm.com, 2023).
According to the SHRM at FHSU’s Tigerlink page, the local SHRM student chapter at FHSU was officially chartered in April 2014.
Slater Heglin, FHSU’s SHRM president, explains the Society for Human Resource Management Student Chapter is an organization designed to develop students professionally.
“Through our affiliation with National SHRM, we are able to gather real-world experience while connecting with people all over the world. If our members choose to become a member of National SHRM, they have access to a network of resources that help to assist in their studies,” Heglin said. “On a yearly basis, we host seminars, take educational trips to visit organizations and develop our members by offering them leadership opportunities.”
Public Relations Specialist for SHRM, Jade Artzer, adds to Heglin’s statement by speaking on the purpose of the eight-year-old chapter at FHSU.
“The purpose of SHRM is to help individuals learn about Human Resources (HR) and the business world. We are focusing on preparing our students for the ‘real world,’” Artzer said.
Artzer goes on by touching on the fact that while there are no true requirements that a student at FHSU must meet to join SHRM, students that are interested in business or interested in learning about what will take place in their future workplace definitely helps. She said some of the benefits include resume workshops, HR panels, networking events, guest speakers and educational trips.
Heglin also speaks on the limitless advantages that SHRM members have access to.
“When students join SHRM at FHSU, they have the opportunity to learn from HR professionals on how to apply for jobs, tips and tricks when entering the job market, hiring and firing practices, and what HR professionals are looking for in their employees,” Heglin said. “Furthermore, the SHRM at FHSU Chapter has two trips per year, providing students the opportunity to network with industry professionals, view different HR department practices across different industries, and see what the world has to offer outside of Hays.”
Heglin then tells of a personal gain that he experienced through SHRM and the power of the business networking site, LinkedIn.
“Throughout my time at FHSU, I had been following the CEO of Don Hattan Dealerships in the Wichita area,” he said. “She owns two businesses and I have always admired her leadership style, talent development initiatives, and drive to succeed. I reached out to her via LinkedIn, and to my surprise she responded.”
During the Fall of 2021, SHRM at FHSU students had the opportunity to tour the Park City dealership, as well as learn about the employee development initiatives at Don Hattan Dealerships due to Heglin’s initial connection.
Heglin continues by describing how this encounter created a working relationship between the students of FHSU and Don Hattan Dealerships.
“The HR Manager at Don Hattan Dealerships has since reached out to our FHSU students regarding job openings the dealerships have had available,” he said.
Heglin finishes the story by stressing the importance of having a well-developed LinkedIn profile.
“The moral of this story is to never underestimate the power of a LinkedIn message.” Heglin said.
Artzer takes the lesson of importance of having a strong LinkedIn profile one step further by emphasizing the significance of being an involved student at FHSU.
“Being involved helps make college enjoyable for students,” she said. “The organizations and clubs that you are involved in in college give you lifelong friendships and teach you many things you would not know if you didn’t get involved, such as networking skills.”
Heglin expands on Artzer’s testimony, saying being involved across the FHSU campus is what makes the student experience what it is.
“Since I have had the opportunity to be involved in several organizations across campus, I have made friends from every walk of life, grown as a leader, and furthered my servant leadership journey,” Heglin said. “I can truly say that being involved on the FHSU campus builds character, brings joy, and gives back to those who have given to us.”
Heglin wants to make sure everyone know The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at FHSU is not only for HR majors and is an extremely inclusive and diverse group.
“The SHRM at FHSU student chapter is an organization that is fit for all majors,” he said. “We currently have history, education, agriculture, marketing, leadership, business, and many more majors that participate in SHRM. Regardless of our name, we are committed to ensuring that our chapter members are informed about hiring practices that will assist them in landing a job post-graduation. Our professional development opportunities are insightful, with a network of professionals from the Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association (WKHRMA).”
Heglin closes with a long-lasting declaration.
“Once a SHRMITE always a SHRMITE!”
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at FHSU has a busy semester ahead of them with an array of activities, including a SWKS Business Tour, Resume Panel on March 6 in McCartney Hall Room 204 at 6:00 p.m. (all students can attend), and a partnership with the FHSU SHRM at FHSU – Cybersecurity Club on April 11, 2023 in Hammond Hall Room 106 at 6:00 p.m. for a Guest Speaker event featuring Reanna Schultz from Garmin (all students can attend).
In addition to those events, 14 of the SHRM at FHSU Chapter members will travel to Denmark during Spring Break. This opportunity will allow students to learn about HR from an international perspective.
For more information on the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Chapter at FHSU, check out their Tigerlink here https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/organization/shrmatfhsu or contact Dr. LeAnn Brown, faculty adviser, through email at lmbrown3@fhsu.edu .