My Background

Freshman Year - Discovering a Career and Purpose

I began my undergraduate journey at Ohio University in August 2022 pursuing a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Psychology. From the beginning, I quickly connected with the campus community, my coursework, and the opportunities surrounding me, but I was still uncertain about how I wanted to apply my education professionally. While I enjoyed studying psychology and understanding human behavior, I found myself searching for a clearer sense of direction and a stronger connection between academics and future career opportunities.

 

Sophomore Year - Building Academic and Leadership Skills

Through conversations with my academic advisor and exposure to different career paths, I began exploring professions that valued psychology backgrounds while also incorporating business strategy and organizational operations. This exploration led me to enroll in my first business course, Quantitative Business Analytics, which introduced me to the relationship between people, decision-making, and business performance. By the end of my first year, I added a minor in Business Administration, beginning a shift toward a more interdisciplinary academic path.

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As I progressed through my second year, I expanded my coursework to include management, marketing, and organizational-focused classes, which helped me develop a stronger understanding of how psychology and business intersect within workplace environments. At the same time, my psychology courses strengthened my analytical thinking, research abilities, and problem-solving skills through exposure to research methods and the scientific method. Outside the classroom, I earned a position on the University Hearing Board, where I further developed communication, professionalism, ethical decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.

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As my academic interests continued to evolve, I began working with a Career Coach at Ohio University to refine my professional materials and explore career paths that combined psychology, business, and organizational development. This guidance ultimately led me to pursue opportunities in human resources, where I discovered a field that aligned closely with both my interests and strengths.

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Junior Year - Applying HR in Professional Settings

During the semester of  my third year, I volunteered as a Research Assistant for a graduate student study focused on stress at Ohio University. Through this experience, I gained valuable insight into research processes, data collection consistency, confidentiality, and the importance of accuracy when working with sensitive information. The role strengthened my attention to detail and reinforced my ability to work independently within structured professional environments.

 

During this period, I began recognizing that many of the skills I enjoyed most—communication, organization, problem-solving, and understanding workplace behavior—aligned naturally with human resources. My growing interest in organizational operations and employee experience motivated me to pursue more hands-on professional opportunities entering my senior year and focus on obtaining internship experiences. 

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Senior Year - Expanding My Experience in HR

Throughout my third and fourth years, I gained hands-on HR experience through internships in both manufacturing and municipal government settings. During the summer going into senior year, I interned with Hobart Brothers as the HR intern. This experience gave me my first opportunity to apply classroom concepts within a professional workplace environment as well as contribute to a professional setting.

 

Shortly after completing my internship with Hobart Brothers, I began another internship in HR with the City of Athens, Ohio, where I have expanded my experience in public-sector HR operations. This experience has been so meaningful to be able to contribute toward the city I live in and to make connections with the local citizens. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of how effective communication, organization, and employee support contribute to workplace success.

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Alongside my internships, my upper-level coursework has further shaped my understanding of workplace dynamics, organizational leadership, and employment law. As I approach graduation, I feel confident in the foundation I have built through the combination of psychology, business, and human resources.

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My undergraduate experience has helped me better understand the type of professional I hope to become—someone who values strategic thinking, organizational effectiveness, and the impact that positive workplace experiences can have on both employees and organizations.