Oct. 25, 2018

Taylor Lawrence (MHR ’17), HR Representative at PepsiCo – FLNA Supply Chain

What did the MHR program do for you and your career?
The Master of Human Resources program presented me with incredible networking opportunities with Fortune 500 companies. Not only do the companies come visit our campus to recruit, but we also are fortunate enough to have chief human resources officers and HR leaders from various companies come speak with us in class. They share insights and current initiatives to showcase different impacts our degrees and roles have. It allows us the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with leaders and organizations. I wouldn’t be with PepsiCo if it weren’t for the program’s close relationships with employers and the rigorous coursework.

What was your most influential experience in the program?
The entire MHR faculty and staff have a passion for the program, and that dedication transfers to the classroom. The professors leveraged their past professional and academic experiences to guide learning and challenge us to think strategically. All faculty and staff are driven to see students succeed and help them find their own passion within the HR function. The relationships don’t end with graduation — they carry on with you.

How did the program help you succeed or prepare you for success?
The MHR program challenges and teaches you to have a business mindset first. The program provided me with foundational business knowledge with a focus in human resource management. As a result, I’ve learned how to leverage my HR functional knowledge as a business partner.

How do you use your degree day-to-day in your job now?
The “generalist” curriculum trained and prepared me for the essential functions of the HR representative role including staffing, labor relations, employment relations law and leadership development. The structure of the program provides exposure to multiple areas within the HR function, which has made me more adaptable in the workplace.

What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The most valuable skill I developed through the MHR program was professional development. I was able to develop this skill in real time through presentations, executive speakers, case competitions — the list goes on. These and other opportunities allowed me to develop the confidence to lead in the workplace and outside of it.

What is your fondest memory of the Moore School?
My fondest memory of the Moore School is the international immersion trip my MHR cohort took to Singapore. I absolutely loved the opportunity the view HR in a global context. The trip provided an integrative learning of business and HR operations on a global scale. We witnessed how large international corporations handle business strategy, day-to-day human resources and operations. It also proved how imperative it is to have a sense of cultural awareness — both personally and professionally. Understanding various cultures is essential to effective communication. I witnessed first-hand the critical role HR plays in a multinational organization.

Is there anything I haven't asked you about that you’d like to mention?
The MHR program isn’t just a program — it’s a community. The support you receive from faculty and peers is unparalleled. Everyone truly has your best interest in mind, and they want to see you develop into a successful HR professional. Your peers challenge you. The professors challenge you. The curriculum challenges you. But in the end the program will develop you into the best, well-prepared HR professional.