At Towson University Continuing & Professional Studies, our students’ success is our success. That’s why we work closely with them from registration through course completion to understand their career and continuing education needs and goals. Read on for Denise Wilson’s success story and and get inspired to create your own student success story.
Tell us a little about your background.
I have worked in multi-site human resources as a generalist, so my experience is broad and my jobs were very challenging. In my career I’ve enjoyed working with staff and management at all levels to achieve their varied business objectives. I look forward to helping the organization that I support balance the financial goals of the business unit with the human factors that create the company’s success. I thrive in the fast-paced, service-oriented environment that a career in human resources provides.
Why did you decide to take our Human Resources Certification Prep Course?
Recently, I’ve managed my own small business, but I would like to go back to working full time as a dedicated HR professional. I already hold an M.S. in industrial/organizational psychology so I didn’t feel that coursework in preparation for an additional degree would be beneficial. I previously held certifications as a PHR, SPHR, and CCP. In the past, I benefited from the extensive, detailed information I learned by taking certification prep courses. So, I decided to take this course.
The interaction and knowledge exchange between classmates in the Human Resources Certification Prep Course was informative and invaluable. The course was taught by Dr. Hendy, she covered a great deal of material with a balance of classroom instruction, independent study, and drawing on the professional experiences of the classroom participants. The other professionals taking the class provided real work examples and questions which enhanced the learning process. I felt very prepared to take the SPHR exam and to return to a role that is dedicated to HR management.
How did enrolling in our course change your career path?
Well, I passed the SPHR exam and am now starting my job search with my SPHR certification with the confidence that I am current on all federal and state employment laws and on recent HR trends.
Why did you choose Towson University Continuing & Professional Studies?
When I called Towson University Continuing & Professional Studies for information, the staff was very helpful and answered all of my questions. TU offered the exact certification prep course that was applicable to my interests in preparing for the PHR/SPHR exam. And, the course was offered at a convenient location and on Saturday mornings, so the timing didn’t interfere with my current position. I wasn’t sure which certification to pursue when I started the course, but it offered a great mix of both, and in consultation with Dr. Hendy I chose to pursue the SPHR certification.
If you could say anything to someone who is on the fence about taking a continuing education course, what would you say?
Take the course! It’s a great chance to meet other professionals in your field of expertise and exchange information. I learned a lot from the other participants in class and I would not have had the same interaction from an online course. The course is tailored to professionals who are working full time and have experience to draw on. It was a great learning opportunity and I highly recommend Dr. Hendy as an instructor.
Did you take your certification exam yet? Did you pass?
Yes and yes. My exam was three hours long and tedious, but I felt confident and very well prepared thanks to the review course and the suggestions from Dr. Hendy.
Anything else you want to add?
As you can probably tell from my previous answers, I very much enjoyed the course and I highly recommend Dr. Hendy.
We like Dr. Hendy too! Here’s a video that features her and one of our career counselors talking about our Human Resources Certification Prep Course.
