USU to send team to compete in HR Games national competition
Students from five states gathered April 7 and 8 in Denver to compete in the 2006 Southwest Central Region Student Conference and HR Games competition testing their knowledge of human resources. Each year, the top contending teams from each state along with other attendees gather in the host area, this year hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management Colorado State Council. Participants include students, advisers, HR practioners and volunteers.
A total of 15 schools attended this year’s function, three of which came from Utah, two teams from USU and one from Weber State University. USU teams were sponsored by the Bridgerland SHRM chapter, SHRM Utah State Council and the USU MHR department.
Winners included both teams from USU and WSU. Second place winners: USU white team, with members Ben Harper, Michelle Loertscher and Celeste Porter.
First place and the only team to continue to nationals: USU blue team, members Brandon Dansie, Rebecca Norfleet and Preston Chandler.
The HR Games are for undergraduate students studying human resource management. Students are tested on their knowledge of HR practices based on the PHR exam.
Teams of two to three students generally study for months to prepare for the competition.
“There are a lot of questions that were asked that we’ve never heard of before,” said Chandler, a senior in operational management, human resource management and statistics. “And some questions that we’ve heard of before were asked in a different way that was kind of confusing.
“The HR Games is a Jeopardy-style competition designed to help encourage business students to become more marketable job applicants by preparing them for certification exams as Professionals or Senior Professionals in HR,” said Utah Valley State College coach, Marty Val Hill. “We need opportunities like the HR Games to help students showcase their abilities and motivate them to learn more.”
All competing teams attended the student conference, hearing from speakers on topics from networking into the professional world to toys in the office to keep your sense of humor up and stress level down.
After the first speaker and buffet-style dinner, teams dispersed to their designated starting rooms. Presenters read questions, teams deliberated together to produce answers. After an answer was given, judges rendered decisions and then points accumulated. Previous to the final rounds, points were awarded in order to rank teams
“One of the best parts for HR Games is the opportunity for HR professionals who volunteer to get exposure to students and other practitioners in their field,” said Diana Sadighi, SHRM Colorado State Council director and director of human resources at Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Inc. “It’s a great event to allow more HR professionals to immerse themselves with undergraduate students to advance their profession.
“We also use this as an avenue for HR professionals to get to know student personalities and abilities in non-threatening environments. Many times, this will lead to internships or temporary employment relationships that add the practical experience component to a successful hire equation,” Hill said. “In this tight job market, nothing can compensate for investing some time in good old fashioned networking.”
Teams from USU and WSU won scholarships from the Utah SHRM Council to take the PHR certification exam from the state competition. The winning team from Regionals will split a $4,500 scholarship/stipend to take the team to the National SHRM Conference in Washington, D.C.
“I love participating in the competition of the HR Games, enjoying the camaraderie of the teams, the colleges and the professional volunteers who donate and dedicate their time to this marvelous tradition,” Lamb said.
-ashleywach@cc.usu.edu