End of Term Reflections: Papers, Progress, and Perspective

I just submitted the final papers for my graduate classes this term, and I have to admit, it’s a mix of relief, pride, and a tiny bit of exhaustion.

This semester stretched me in all the right ways. Between case studies, financial analysis, strategic HR planning, and a deep dive into global workforce issues, I had plenty of late nights, long weekends, and more than a few cups of coffee. But every assignment pushed me closer to the kind of HR professional I’m working to become.

In OL 501: Business Foundations, I explored the key building blocks that keep organizations running — from management and operations to accounting and financial strategy. One of the most challenging (and rewarding) parts of the course was analyzing financial statements and calculating business health metrics like profit margins and debt-to-asset ratios. These are areas I used to find intimidating, but now I see them as essential tools for making smart, people-informed decisions. It also gave me a stronger appreciation for how HR strategy is deeply tied to overall business goals.

Meanwhile, OL 600: Strategic Human Resource Management challenged me to think bigger. I developed a comprehensive HR strategic plan for a fictional call center expanding across state lines and into India. The plan covered everything from employee and labor relations to talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, performance management, and global HR practices. I appreciated how this course connected theory to action — everything I wrote felt like it could be applied in a real organization, and I found myself leaning into the complexity of managing people across different cultures, generations, and locations.

Graduate school hasn’t always been easy, especially while balancing work and life, but it’s been worth it. I’ve learned so much — not just about HR, but about how I work, what motivates me, and how much I care about creating better experiences for employees.

Next up? I’ll be diving into OL 620: Total Rewards and QSO 500: Business Research. One will take me deeper into the world of compensation, benefits, incentives, and HRIS systems — all critical components of the employee experience. The other will stretch my analytical side, focusing on research design, methodology, and the practical application of statistics in business contexts. I’m especially curious (and maybe a little nervous!) to see how these two very different classes will complement each other.

Now that the papers are submitted, I’m taking a breath. A small one. Because I know the next term is right around the corner, and there’s still so much more to learn. But for today, I’m letting myself be proud of how far I’ve come.

Thanks for following along on this journey. Whether you’re a fellow student, an HR professional, or just someone figuring out your next step — I see you. Keep going. One page, one project, one step at a time.