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Chelsea, Talent Operations Manager at Kyo: Advize Career Interview
Chelsea's journey from Disney World to Talent Operations Manager at Kyo is an inspiring one, showcasing a passion for HR discovered through experience.
This role focuses on strategy, team leadership, and mentorship, tackling challenges like balancing diverse personalities and prioritizing tasks.
Key skills include organization, problem-solving, and building strong relationships with a focus on both people and business goals.
The career involves daily strategic oversight, analyzing reports, and supporting talent specialists, all while making a meaningful impact in the healthcare field by helping children through Kyo's ABA services.
Aspiring students can consider entry-level roles like HR or recruiting coordinator to start their journey, and remember that decisive action, open communication, and embracing change are key to success in this dynamic and rewarding industry.
Learning to use voices, advocate for the team, and having a "people-forward" mindset are also critical skills.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Chelsea Hurling
Talent Operations Manager
Kyo
University of West Florida
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin
Healthcare
Human Resources (HR)
Disabled, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
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Career path of a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo
Chelsea is currently finishing a bachelor's degree after a 10-year gap, and initially worked in hospitality at Disney World before transitioning to a front desk role at a resort where a passion for HR was discovered, stating that "recruitment was really the one that stood out." This led to a move to Kyo, where Chelsea progressed from a talent acquisition specialist to a senior TIS, and is now a talent operations manager.
Main Responsibilities of a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo, oversees a team of seven and focuses on strategy to meet hiring goals, reporting, and ensuring job posts are in the right place and budget, describing it as "kind of fun managerial stuff." Further, a large part of the role involves mentorship and training, with weekly one-on-ones with employees to discuss goals and career aspirations.
A Day In The Life Of A Talent Operations Manager At Kyo
As a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo, a typical day begins by "putting out any fires" and creating a prioritized to-do list, but largely involves strategic oversight, such as analyzing reports to ensure the team is on track and candidates are being engaged effectively; ultimately, the role also entails supporting talent specialists with onboarding and is often filled with "a lot of meetings, and a lot of emails."
Most Important Skills For A Talent Operations Manager At Kyo
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager, highlights organization as "probably the biggest one," emphasizing the importance of time management and prioritization due to the continuous and evolving nature of the role where completing tasks doesn't necessarily lead to an empty task list. In this role, Chelsea has had to adjust to "try to prioritize what's important and what's not" as the task list is never fully completed.
Favorite Parts of Being a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo, most enjoys "problem solving," particularly when analyzing data to understand trends and ensure fairness across different regions, noting the satisfaction derived from striving for equitable workloads for the team. Furthermore, building relationships and prioritizing the team's well-being and job satisfaction is also very important in this role.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Talent Operations Manager At Kyo
Chelsea's biggest challenge as a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo is "managing so many different personalities," which requires consistent presence and ensuring each team member knows they can depend on them. A key part of this is understanding individual strengths and knowing "which one you can go to" for specific needs, effectively using everyone's skills to the team's advantage.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Healthcare As A Talent Operations Manager
Chelsea enjoys the healthcare field and "being able to help kiddos" through Talent Operations at Kyo, an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) company. What has been "very important" for Chelsea is also incorporating a "people forward" perspective with the understanding of the business side of things in Talent Operations/HR.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Human Resources, According To A Talent Operations Manager At Kyo
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager, believes that people who thrive in talent and recruitment, despite HR being business-oriented, should "like people" and enjoy daily interactions, emphasizing that "being able to have a personal relationship with individuals is...the best for this type of role." Having a personable nature is crucial for success in this field.
What a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Human Resources Industry
As a Talent Operations Manager, Chelsea learned that success isn't always about pinpointing the objectively "right decision," but rather about choosing a path and committing to it fully; in management, multiple options can seem viable, and the true outcome only reveals itself through action, highlighting the importance of decisive action and learning from the results. This approach emphasizes the value of trying and making a choice, even if, with hindsight, "maybe that wasn't the best decision."
Entry-level positions for aspiring Talent Operations Managers
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo, suggests that undergraduate or graduate students seeking entry-level positions in the field should consider roles like "human resources coordinator or recruiting coordinator," where responsibilities often include "calendar organization" and assisting recruiters, providing a good way to enter the industry.
Significant Career Lesson From a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo
Chelsea, a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo, learned that it's crucial to avoid hastily "rally[ing] the troops" when faced with setbacks, and instead, prioritize open communication with leadership to understand the rationale behind decisions. This approach fosters a teamwork mentality and prevents unnecessary escalations, ultimately proving to be a significant lesson in the talent operations field.
College Experiences That Helped a Talent Operations Manager at Kyo Succeed
Chelsea initially pursued teaching in college but realized it wasn't the right path, leading to gaining "real world experience" before returning to school with a clearer direction, highlighting that "it's okay to change your mind" and that taking breaks to explore different interests is perfectly acceptable in shaping one's career trajectory.
How Identity Has Influenced A Talent Operations Manager At Kyo's Career
As a woman in HR, Chelsea feels that the "glass ceiling" hasn't been as prevalent as it might be in other fields, but notes that the predominantly male leadership on the operations side requires proactive collaboration and a firm understanding "that you can have a voice and that you're allowed to take up space," especially during difficult conversations. Navigating this dynamic is key for a career professional in talent operations.
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