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Britt, Retired - Former SVP of HR /CHRO at Cloudera: Advize Career Interview
A former SVP of HR/CHRO at Cloudera, a career path that began unexpectedly after initial dissatisfaction with psychology, shares invaluable insights into the dynamic world of human resources.
The interview reveals a fascinating journey from administrative roles to executive leadership, highlighting the importance of adaptability, strong business acumen, and effective collaboration.
The daily realities of the position are presented as both strategically demanding and unexpectedly urgent, encompassing high-level meetings and immediate personnel needs.
The interviewee emphasizes the evolving demands of the HR field, the crucial role of treating everyone with respect, and the significant impact of a learning mentality.
Advice offered includes the importance of mastering detail-orientation, networking effectively, understanding industry compensation variations, and exploring entry-level positions such as recruiting coordinators and HR generalists.
The interview concludes by acknowledging the challenges of navigating predominantly male environments while maintaining a focus on proving competence and effectiveness.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Britt Sellin
Retired - Former SVP of HR /CHRO
Cloudera
UC Berkeley; UCLA extension for an HR certificate post graduation from Berkeley
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Psychology
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt's career path wasn't linear; after initially pursuing psychology and finding "I hated both of those" research and counseling jobs unfulfilling, they transitioned to business and discovered human resources, progressing from administrative work to a business partner role and eventually a CHRO position. This demonstrates a willingness to adapt and find a fulfilling career path.
Main Responsibilities of a Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt's main responsibilities as a senior VP of HR involved building a team from the ground up, aligning it with the business strategy, and creating programs to support company growth. This included "recruiting well," ensuring fair compensation, and maintaining legal compliance, showcasing the breadth and depth of a CHRO's role in building a successful organization.
A Day in the Life of a Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
A senior VP's day is "super variable," as illustrated by Britt's experience at a startup going public; this involved high-level strategic meetings with the CEO and board alongside urgent, administrative tasks like creating a death benefits policy after an employee's passing in Brazil.
Most Important Skills For A Chief Human Resources Officer At Cloudera
For a senior HR role, a strong business acumen is crucial—"understand what's going on in the business"—as is the ability to collaborate effectively across teams to gain support for initiatives. Without broad-based support, even executive-level HR professionals cannot successfully implement strategies.
Favorite Parts of Being a Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt, a retired SVP of HR/CHRO, most enjoys the "huge variety" inherent in a career in human resources, unlike the more focused roles in sales or marketing. The ability to implement company strategy on a "big macro company level" and then see the resulting impact is a particularly rewarding aspect of their work.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt, a retired SVP of HR/CHRO, identifies the evolving expectations placed on companies as the biggest challenge in their role. The shift from solely providing reasonable pay and competent management to now encompassing significant emotional and mental support is a key concern, with Britt stating that a company "is not necessarily responsible for your happiness," while still emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment.
Favorite Parts of Working in Human Resources as a Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt, a retired SVP of HR and CHRO, most enjoys "working with people every day" due to their extroverted nature. The rewarding aspect of helping others achieve career milestones, seeing "some people...hit a certain inflection point," is a key source of satisfaction in their career.
What Type of Person Thrives at the Executive Level, According to a Former SVP of HR at Cloudera
Britt, a retired SVP of HR/CHRO, highlights that success in the industry hinges on "problem solvers" and "resilient" individuals who can handle setbacks, stating that "you're not gonna win 'em all." The ability to persevere and enjoy seeing results is key to thriving at the executive level, according to their experience.
What A Former Cloudera Head Of HR Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Their Career
Britt, a retired SVP of HR/CHRO, learned that compensation for similar roles varies dramatically across industries; the same job in a high-paying industry "can pay twice as much," illustrating the importance of industry selection alongside job function for maximizing career earnings.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring HR Professionals
Entry-level HR positions such as "recruiting coordinators," "sales development reps," "HR administrators," and "HR generalists" offer excellent starting points for undergraduates; however, the key to career advancement is to "learn what you need to learn from that job and move on," proactively seeking opportunities for skill development rather than remaining in roles that plateau professional growth.
Significant Career Lesson From a Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt's most significant career lesson, learned during rapid company growth, is the importance of treating everyone with respect: "you've got to treat people well," even those in subordinate positions, as this fosters the necessary support for effective leadership. The contrast between a peer's demanding approach and Britt's more empathetic style highlights how kindness and collaboration— "Is there a way you can fit this in?"— significantly improve workplace dynamics and ultimately, career success.
College Experiences That Helped a Human Resources Leader at Cloudera Succeed
Britt's path to a successful career as a retired SVP of HR/CHRO wasn't driven by strategic undergrad choices, but rather by a consistent "learning mentality." The former executive emphasizes a proactive approach to choosing challenging courses, stating "I wouldn't necessarily pick the easy one, I would pick the one that I thought, oh, I'm, I'm gonna learn this," highlighting intrinsic motivation as a key factor in career success.
How Identity Has Influenced A Former Chief Human Resources Officer's Career At Cloudera
Britt, a retired SVP of HR/CHRO, notes the predominantly white male environments throughout their tech career, acknowledging the privilege this conferred while also highlighting the frequent experience of being "the only woman in the room." The focus, however, remained on proving relevance and ensuring that their voice was heard, a challenge tackled by continually assessing preparation and communication style, rather than dwelling on identity-based obstacles.
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