Organizational and Human Resources Competency

At the start of my time here at UWL, I would have placed myself at well below the

foundational level for the competency that is Organizational and Human Resources. I knew next

to little about this competency. However, over the course of my first year at UWL I think I ended

up at the foundation level. I had begun to learn about UWL hierarchy, internal politics,

departmental alliances, and cooperation. For example, our food pantry operates based off of

donations. A large portion of these donations come from various academic and administrative

departments. These departments are under no obligation to support our food pantry, and yet

they are instrumental in our operations. This shows understanding of how organizational

networks play a role in getting work done. Without these departments, and our efforts to remain

on good terms with them, we ensure that our campus has a food pantry. We make supporting

the food pantry as easy convenient as possible, scheduling deliveries and pick ups at times that

are convenient for the department.

As my second and final year of graduate school draws to a close, I would place myself in

the intermediate section of this competency. I have learned how alliances can impact your

professional reputation. Associating with negative and unprofessional people or departments

makes people think you fit into those categories as well. While aligning yourself with competent

and supportive professionals, people will connect you with those associations. For my artifact, I

would direct your attention to the Staff Selection Committee presentation. This was a group

presentation, where teamwork was essential. We had to work together as a team to complete

the project, and our committee’s responsibilities had repercussions for the wider campus and

community of our fictional “Chapin University.” This illustrates that we knew that our committee

was interconnected and it was important for us to be in touch with each other and other

departments on our campus.

 As I begin my career in student affairs, I know that my professional reputation will largely

depend on the quality of my work, my connections with other professionals and departments. I

will not be able to have a career without working and learning from others.