MSIR network Spotlight

Every other week we will be featuring an MSIR alumnus. This person may be coming for a practicum or recruiting session on campus, or have a really interesting background. Check this section for their bio and words of advice. This alum will be at the career fair and networking event THIS WEEK!

Jeff Shao

Current Role: Lead HR Generalist at Eaton Corporation

Alma Mater(s): West Virginia University – BSBA in Management ‘11

West Virginia University – MSIR ‘15

Hometown: Wayne, PA

Work Experience: Management Assistant; Enterprise Rent-A-Car

HR Intern; Kennametal Inc.

Human Resource Leadership Development Program Participant; Eaton Corporation

Why he chose HR: I chose HR because I wanted to make contributions to a company’s bottom line in a different way. Not like in sales or other functions where you’re helping the company make profits on the front end. I wanted to do something different. As a HR professional you help manage the biggest expense to an organization, which are the employees. It is HR’s job to find and hire the best talent, nurture and develop individual skills, and see employees grow within an organization and make bigger and bigger contributions to the company. It is very rewarding to be able to change peoples’ lives for the better and when we do all the previously mentioned HR is not only helping the individual employee with their personal livelihood, they’re also helping the company’s bottom line in a major way.

How he stays connected with MSIR: I’ve come back on campus multiple times for Practicum or Recruiting Events. I also know current students in the program so I always ask to see what’s going on with MSIR.

Advice to students in the program: Even though you’re here to learn and ultimately get a job but take the time and enjoy the 2 years within the program. Get involved as much as you can like SHRM, IRSA, and networking events but also get involved with the activities outside of the classroom like going to football games with your classmates or going on weekend trips with them. Build that strong bond with your classmates because they are going to be your support and you guys can lean on each while you go through tough and stressful times. Also these people are going to be your first network once you leave the program and go out into the real world. They are going to great people to reach out to for advice or to share best practices.

Advice to recent grads entering in the field: Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People say it all the time and I’m going to repeat it because it’s that important. You might feel dumb asking a question but it’s perfectly ok because you are new to the organization or environment and you are not expected to know everything. People will be expecting questions and will probably be more surprised if you are not asking any. If you don’t ask questions all you’re doing is just making your job even tougher.