In 2015, the SHRM Foundation awarded SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition scholarships to HR professionals from each of the five regions of the U.S.—the Northeast, Southeast, North Central, Southwest Central and the Pacific West.
Edna Lugo was one of the five scholarship recipients—this is her SHRM Foundation story.
Meet Edna:
My biggest challenge has been being a military wife. My career has had and will continue to have setbacks while our family relocates due to the needs of the U.S. Coast Guard.
I spent 11 years building my career at a company I loved, starting as a trainee, worked my way up to branch manager, moving over to corporate as an HR supervisor, passed my PHR was promoted to Regional HR Manager. I set my next goal to be a Group HR Manager. In 2012, I was crushed to find out that that the Coast Guard was moving us from Florida to a small town in Louisiana. There was no transfer opportunity and I would have to resign the position I loved. For months I searched for a new position, scared that I would join the ranks of the long term unemployed. Through networking and attending the local SHRM meeting, I found an HR opportunity working in local government. It was humbling to be under-employed and earn half the salary I was accustomed to, but I knew I could make a difference.
This position has taught me a lot and allowed me the opportunity to keep learning. I’ve had more exposure to SHRM through our local ICHRMA chapter and I earned my SPHR and SHRM-SCP this January. In June, I will be relocating to Alabama and I hope that I will find a perfect opportunity through Mobile SHRM. My husband retires in 2020 and I can finally focus on committing to a company where I can achieve my goal of being a Director or VP of HR.
Thank you SHRM Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend the SHRM Annual Conference. The conference came at a time when I was between jobs and in need of the opportunity to network with peers and learn more about the HR profession.
***Your donation to the SHRM Foundation makes an impact by helping people like Edna. Donate today!
- 0
- 66 views
Add new comment