USU Human Resources students head to nationals
The team representing the Utah State University chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management won the regional championship HR Games held April 6.
The team, consisting of Janita Showell, Ange Davison and Estella Schaeffer, won the Utah HR Games in January, and then headed on to the regional games held in Tempe, Ariz.
According to a press release, there were a total of nine teams from seven states competing at the regional championships.
The regional competition was “intense” and came down to the final question against Fresno State University, the three-time national champion, said Mary Jo Blahna, professor and coach (along with Alan Warnick) for the team.
“We were well-prepared and knew our competition had to be Fresno, but we took them in the end,” Blahna said.
The competition is a “Jeopardy” style game with two teams facing off from five different categories, 15 seconds to “buzz in,” and another five seconds to confer with teammates for the answer, said Showell, a senior double-majoring in human resource management and economics.
“We were nervous to go against a team like Fresno,” Showell said. “It was so competitive, but all our preparation paid off.”
To prepare, Blahna said the management and human resources department offered a three-credit fall semester class to those SHRM chapter members that were interested in competition. Coaches Blahna and Warnick also conducted evening practice sessions of the HR Games this spring.
With the USU team holding the title, Blahna said the team of Showell, Davison and Schaeffer will now head to the national championships held at the annual SHRM convention in Philadelphia in June.
“We were so proud of our girls,” she said. “We think we have a real shot at nationals.”
A great deal of recognition has come with the regional championship title, with possibilities for networking, future job opportunities and getting a student’s name out, she said.
“I am so excited for nationals,” Showell said. “It demonstrates to an employer that you know every aspect of human resources. It really looks attractive on your résumé.”