Cekola and Galarneau at a Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association meeting.
For students, there is power in making connections. Making a connection can help them find their dream job or internship, move up in a company or even decide if they’ve found their perfect major.
For two Haworth College of Business alumnae, the focus was on connections when they decided to start a mentoring organization in spring of 2018.
Lindsay Cekola, B.B.A.’13, and Kaity Galarneau, B.B.A.’14, are both human resource professionals working in the Kalamazoo area. As members of the Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association and Haworth College of Business graduates, they wanted to offer an opportunity for WMU students to connect with HR professionals, providing an opportunity beneficial for all involved.
As Cekola and Galarneau developed the mentoring program, they paired up an HR professional in the KHRMA organization with a student interested in participating, giving students the chance to discuss their plans for the future, explore different areas of human resources and learn about how their mentor shaped his or her own career.
Students in the mentoring program also have the opportunity to attend KHRMA events at no cost, giving them even more networking opportunities and access to professional connections that will come in handy when they begin their job search.
“Our hope is that the students will gain knowledge and connections during this experience that will allow them to be more successful as they begin their careers,” says Cekola. We also want students to have a better understanding of which area of human resources really interests them.”
The response has been positive. After the first year of facilitating the program, they’ve reviewed feedback of both the students and the mentors to see what can be changed to make the program even more successful. Their goal is to keep growing the program and to assist WMU students in making choices on where they best fit in the HR field.
Part of their desire to give back comes from their own experiences as human resource management majors at the Haworth College of Business. Both cite positive relationships with professors and utilizing resources within the college as part of their experience and urge current students to make these connections both in and out of the college.
“There are so many opportunities to learn and grow at the Haworth College of Business,” says Galarneau. “Taking advantage of all of the opportunities provided by your professors and by resources within the college such as the career center will help you be the best professional you can be.”
Cekola agrees, “If you have the desire to be successful, WMU has the resources to help you with your goals; you just need to utilize them.”
Interested in finding your mentor and being a part of the Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association?
Learn more about the program and how you can get involved by connecting Cekola at lindsaycekola@yahoo.com, or Galarneau at kaitlin.galarneau@consumerscu.org.