Cari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up on the Northside of Houston. Throughout my entire life, I went to school in the North Forest School District (now known as HISD). I laugh when I tell this story now but I almost didn’t graduate high school. I struggled with math/writing and couldn’t pass the exit exam. Unlike many others, I didn’t go to college right away. I decided to enlist in the Army. I stayed for eight years, did a tour in Iraq and then decided I was done. My career in HR peaked in the army. I knew that I loved helped people but also saw how valuable the function was to army operations. When I got out of the Army, I knew I needed to get some additional education.
So I obtained an Associates at Houston Community College and then later went on to receive a BA and MBA from the University of Houston-Downtown. As I looked for HR roles, I kept reading job descriptions that said “PHR/SPHR” required. I knew these certifications had to be important, so I obtained them. I was determined to take away the no’s. I didn’t want an employer to tell me they wouldn’t hire me because I didn’t have a degree… because I didn’t have certifications… I wanted to remove the no’s. Today, I work for a Fortune 500 tech company where I advise senior leaders on people and strategy. My scope spans across 1500 employees in over 15 countries.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Success wouldn’t feel so sweet if there weren’t some hiccups. I think I lost count of how many times I was rejected. I remember having this burins desire to want to teach. I would network with people, send messages to get the guidance, all to be ignored. I applied for countless adjunct roles. I never received a call. It led me to start HR Defined. Even today, there are challenges of feeling like a small fish in a big pond. When I was in the army, there was a phrase about “keeping your head on a swivel”, which means to be always aware of your surroundings. That’s a piece of advice in entrepreneurship that I’ve quickly let go of. My focus can’t be on the surroundings because it then means I’m not focusing on my lane.
As you know, we’re big fans of HR Defined. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
HR Defined specializes in exam preparation for HR professionals interested in obtaining certification. We have taught hundreds of students and we are known for our unique approach to teaching the content. Our courses were developed for hr professionals by hr professionals. I take pride in not only teaching this content but living and doing this work every day. I started HR Defined because I saw a need in the Houston market to give HR professionals options. I knew that feeling of wanting to invest in HR certifications without breaking the bank. I wanted to build a company that gave individuals a chance to bet on themselves.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned from the crisis to “Never get too comfortable”. Be a continuous learner. The pandemic has changed the way we live and work. Our strength lies in our ability to adapt and adjust.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@hrdefined.com
- Website: hrdefined.com
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