For one recent Towson University Continuing and Professional Studies student, earning a SHRM certification was more than a professional milestone. It was an opportunity to deepen her HR expertise, validate her experience and position herself for future growth.

After completing Towson University’s SHRM Certification Prep+ Course and successfully passing the SHRM certification exam, Cassie Strickland reflects on her journey and shares advice for future students.

Building a career through growth and opportunity

Cassie started her career at a small nonprofit, working in the billing department before advancing into an operations manager role over the course of 10 years. Along the way, she became increasingly involved in human resources functions, including payroll, leave management, onboarding and recruitment.

In 2022, she joined MedStar Health as a talent acquisition partner, which allowed her to expand her HR knowledge within a larger, more complex organization.

A desire to deepen HR expertise

As her career in human resources continued to grow, she wanted to strengthen her professional knowledge and credentials.

Motivated by a desire to continue growing professionally, she decided to pursue a SHRM certification. As a Towson University alumna, choosing Towson University’s SHRM Certification Prep+ Course felt like a natural next step.

“When I started looking for continuing education, Towson was my first stop,” she said.

Returning to the classroom after more than 15 years presented its own challenges, but she found that the course’s structure helped her build momentum and stay focused.

“The twice-a-week schedule kept me on track,” she said. “I also appreciated how interactive the course was.”

Beyond the schedule, she appreciated the collaborative and practical approach to learning.

The impact of an experienced instructor

One of the most valuable aspects of the program was learning from the instructor, Gina Pomilla, whose real-world HR experience brought the material to life.

“Gina was fantastic,” she said. “She had a great way of breaking things down so they made sense and was a big part of why I felt prepared going into the exam.”

Preparing for certification success

One of the biggest lessons Cassie gained from the SHRM certification course was understanding that success on the SHRM exam requires more than memorization.

Practice quizzes and assessments played a critical role in her preparation, helping her identify areas for improvement and build confidence. She relied heavily on the resources available through the SHRM Learning System, including the full-length practice exam because it closely mirrored the actual testing experience.

“The practice test, especially, felt very real. It helped me get used to the timing and not knowing the answers right away. Reviewing those results helped me focus my studying where it mattered most,” she said.

After completing the Towson University Continuing and Professional Studies course in March 2026, she spent about two months preparing before taking the SHRM certification exam. Her hard work paid off when she successfully passed the certification exam.

Advice for future SHRM candidates

For future students considering SHRM certification, her advice is simple, “use the available resources, especially the practice exams, and give yourself time to prepare.”

“Try not to cram right before the exam,” she said. “If you stay consistent and really use the tools provided, you’ll set yourself up for success.”

Looking ahead, she believes the certification will open new opportunities and support her long-term career goals.

“It’s a strong credential that adds to both knowledge and credibility,” she said.

Cassie’s story shows how dedication, preparation and the right learning environment can help working professionals achieve their goals and take the next step in their careers.