"Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d be doing something as professional and career-focused as this." — Madison Parker, SHRM member

The Harbert College is committed to providing relevant, forward-looking and high-impact experiential learning opportunities.

Four members of Auburn University’s Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter recently won second place in the Alabama SHRM College Case Competition.

In the virtual event, Madison Parker, Sidney Whitfield, Amber Crosby and Kristen McCay wowed judges by making recommendations to improve a hypothetical company’s overall strategic plan as it relates to human resource functions. Not only did the case competition provide students with the opportunity to provide counsel on a real-world issue, it allowed them to network with human resource professionals.

“Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d be doing something as professional and career-focused as this,” said Parker. “Auburn’s SHRM organization provided me with the confidence and knowledge to make a professional recommendation in this competition. SHRM has allowed me to grow professionally, and I am so glad I chose to get involved.”

SHRM is a national, professional organization which promotes human resources by providing educational and informational services to its members. Participating students have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and take part in professional development programs to reinforce what they are already learning in the classrooms. Through the management degree’s human resource minor option, Harbert College is preparing students for careers in HR, a career path the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts will experience 9 percent growth through 2026.

“What HR professionals are seeing in the field is the type of programming we’re able to bring to our chapter development opportunities, and the types of events/conferences our students are exposed to,” said Megan Sumners, Auburn SHRM Faculty Adviser and Harbert College Department of Management Program Champion. “When students advance into the field professionally, participating in SHRM helps generate a seamless transition.”

Auburn SHRM, which has roughly 40 active members, has earned the national organization’s Super Merit Award – the organization’s highest honor – the past four years.

Interested in joining this student organization and propelling your career in human resource management? Contact Megan Sumners at millim1@auburn.edu and visit the AUSHRM web site here.