After just two weeks in USF鈥檚 new HR Core Concepts class, Kimberly Jones didn鈥檛 just gain a new understanding 鈥� she discovered a passion. What started as an introduction to HR has now turned into an eye-opening journey, leading her to pursue the HR Management Certificate and deeper knowledge of the field.
With broad professional experience in customer support, healthcare, and insurance, she currently works as an academic program specialist in USF鈥檚 Department of Psychology. Her curiosity in HR began in 2023 when she took the Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace class. Inspired by that learning experience 鈥� and a recommendation from a friend at the Moffitt Cancer Center 鈥� she decided to explore the Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education鈥檚 HR programs.
This January, she took the leap and signed up for the HR Core Concepts live online class.
A SEAMLESS LEARNING EXPERIENCE
The biweekly class sessions included interactive lectures, engaging discussion topics, breakout rooms, and opportunities for real-world application of the lessons.
鈥淲e met every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, so it was very easy to jump into class after work,鈥� she said.
The short, two-week format also made the time commitment more manageable.
鈥淵our job isn鈥檛 sacrificed while taking the class,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淔or-credit classes can be more demanding, but CTPE鈥檚 classes are designed for working professionals like me.鈥�
OPENING THE DOOR TO A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE
Led by HR expert and instructor Kelley Rexroad, the class gave Jones a deep dive into the various facets of human resources through live online class meetings and pre-class assignments. Beginning with the history of HR, the comprehensive curriculum covered everything from HR strategy and talent management to employee relations and employment law.
While she learned a wealth of new knowledge, a few key lessons stood out.
鈥淥ne of my biggest takeaways was the importance of working for an organization that aligns with your values,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚f you wake up excited about what the day will bring, you know you鈥檙e in the right place.鈥�
She also found it intriguing to explore how individual employees integrate into a team, department, and organization as a whole. Jones emphasized the importance of a human-centered approach to onboarding new team members, especially at large institutions.
鈥淚t can be daunting to be one person coming into a staff of thousands,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y personalizing the HR process, businesses can help people feel truly welcomed rather than just another item on a checklist.鈥�
FUTURE PLANS AND ADVICE
Now that Jones has completed the HR Core Concepts class, she鈥檚 hungry for more knowledge.
While HR Core Concepts is a requirement for learners seeking the HR Management Certificate, participants can choose nine elective classes based on their unique interests in the field. So far, Jones has chosen HR Law I, Performance Appraisal Systems, and HR Law and Ethics to continue along her journey.
鈥淔or those of us who haven鈥檛 been on the other side of the desk as an employee, the HR Core Concepts class is a great introduction to learning more about the behind-the-scenes of how an HR department operates and what resources are available to you.鈥�
To build your foundation in human resources with the HR Core Concepts class, visit the website for more details.