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Stephanie, Sr. Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services: Advize Career Interview
A career journey beginning with unexpected pivots and a sorority presidency unexpectedly launched a successful career in human resources.
The interviewee's path progressed through increasingly responsible roles, culminating in a senior management position at Precision Construction Services.
The role demands a comprehensive understanding of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to benefits negotiation and succession planning, emphasizing empathy, patience, and proactive problem-solving.
The interviewee's greatest challenge—people—is addressed through proactive strategies like Gallup StrengthsFinder assessments.
A fascination with construction's societal impact and rapid technological evolution, coupled with a "pull to the left" philosophy, characterizes the industry.
The interviewee stresses the importance of proactively seeking opportunities, understanding the "pain points" of employees, and avoiding a "that's not my job" mentality.
Many entry-level opportunities exist beyond "boots on the ground," encompassing various fields from engineering to marketing and HR. A valuable career lesson learned: always be proactive and do what needs to be done.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stephanie McDonald
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Precision Construction Services
Cal Poly - SLO
Communications
Construction
Human Resources (HR)
Honors Student, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
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Career Path of a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction
Stephanie's career path, beginning with a pivot from a student-athlete after injury, led to unexpected opportunities. The experience as sorority president, "taught a lot about conflict resolution, negotiating," and unexpectedly landed Stephanie a junior HR specialist role, propelling a career trajectory through increasingly responsible HR positions at a tech company, Stryker, and finally, as the sole HR manager at Precision Construction, where Stephanie seeks to "have more of an impact on the culture, on the business."
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie, a Senior HR Manager at Precision Construction Services, oversees the entire employee lifecycle, from "leading recruitment efforts" and extending offer letters to managing employee relations and career planning. This holistic approach, encompassing everything from onboarding new hires to conducting annual reviews and facilitating employee growth, showcases a comprehensive understanding of human resources management within a small business context.
A Day in the Life of a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services
A senior HR manager's daily activities are "truly never the same day," encompassing the entire employee lifecycle from payroll and onboarding to benefits negotiations and succession planning. The role heavily emphasizes employee relations, focusing on "helping people get along and work to the best of their ability," and developing employee career paths.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Human Resources Manager At Precision Construction Services
Stephanie, a Senior Human Resources Manager, emphasizes empathy and patience as crucial skills, stating that "the two most important skills for any HR person are empathy and patience." This approach, including setting aside weekly "HR office hours" to be available for employees, allows Stephanie to build trust and facilitate productive conversations, demonstrating the importance of understanding the "whole being" of each employee for effective HR management.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Human Resources Manager At Precision Construction Services
Stephanie enjoys the expansive reach of her role as a Senior HR Manager at Precision Construction, stating that "my reach is really expansive, which keeps it really interesting." This broad responsibility, encompassing all departments and functions, allows her to leverage previous recruiting experience while contributing to the growth of a smaller company, a key motivator in taking the position.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie's biggest challenge as a Senior HR Manager at Precision Construction Services is "people," the source of both the greatest rewards and difficulties. To proactively address this, the company uses Gallup StrengthsFinder assessments to foster better collaboration by leveraging individual strengths, focusing on "growing those strengths and leveraging teammates' strengths" rather than weaknesses for improved team dynamics and achievement of shared goals.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Construction Industry As A Senior Human Resources Manager
Stephanie, a senior HR manager with over 12 years of experience, finds the construction industry fascinating because it "touches every aspect of society," from homes to infrastructure. The industry's rapid technological evolution, coupled with increasing diversity, presents exciting challenges and opportunities for leadership, making it a constantly evolving and impactful field.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Construction Industry, According to a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie, a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services, highlights the importance of proactive, detail-oriented individuals in the construction industry, emphasizing a "pull to the left" philosophy—constantly seeking ways to accelerate project timelines and stay "on time and under budget." This proactive approach necessitates constant management of subcontractors and employees to achieve project goals.
What a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Construction Industry
Stephanie, a Senior Human Resources Manager, wishes she had prioritized "getting out into the field" sooner, as firsthand observation of job sites is crucial for understanding "the pain points of all employees," particularly those whose busy schedules hinder feedback. This proactive approach allows for better problem-solving and shows appreciation for field staff, improving employee relations and overall company success.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Human Resources Professionals
Stephanie, a Senior HR Manager at Precision Construction Services, highlights that entry-level construction roles extend beyond "boots on the ground," encompassing project/field engineering and assistant superintendent positions. Additionally, larger firms offer entry-level opportunities in marketing, HR, business operations, lean management, safety, and environmental health and safety, showcasing the diverse career paths within the industry.
Significant Career Lesson from a Senior Human Resources Manager at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie's most significant career lesson is to always be proactive and avoid using the phrase "that's not my job," emphasizing the importance of "doing what needs to be done" to build a strong professional reputation and brand. This proactive approach, especially when "no one's watching," demonstrates a commitment to problem-solving and contributes to career success.
College Experiences That Helped A Senior Human Resources Manager At Precision Construction Services Succeed
Stephanie's experience as sorority president provided invaluable leadership and management experience, giving her "a large sense of responsibility for other human beings" and forcing her to have "tough conversations" early in her life. This unexpected training directly translated to a successful career in human resources, where similar interpersonal and management skills are paramount.
How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Human Resources Manager's Career at Precision Construction Services
Stephanie's experience as a working mother in corporate America significantly impacted their career navigation, highlighting the challenges of "finding adequate childcare" and managing perceptions of work-life balance. They advise younger working mothers to "set boundaries" and openly communicate needs with management, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family and utilizing available support systems.
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