Throughout this entire (final) project, the one thing that kept reminding me of itself was the concept of time management. Little did I know, before starting this project, that I would soon be starting a new job in an entirely different field that I was accustomed to, moving to an entire different city/state, completing my graduate certificate in Human Resource Management from Louisiana State University (LSU), taking preparatory classes for the SHRM-CP exam, and gaining a new family member (puppy) - all within a short couple of months! Because of this, time management, along with change management, was absolutely beyond critical for me this semester. Fortunately, with an amazing family/support system, I was able to accomplish the "impossible". 

 

One thing I quickly realized as I began working on my project was my passion for competency models and how fortunate I was to be able to work with Angie Hendershot on creating one for staff positions at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Each and every day, when reading through emails sent to me from The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the one word I can almost guarantee that will be stated in each and every email is competency. Competencies, whether they are created individually and/or put together to create a competency model, have officially taken over the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). If created strategically, competency models, over time, can increase a business' revenue (increased employee retention), avoid unnecessary costs (employe turnover), and improve its service(s). 

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My favorite part about this project was being able to go through the many different job titles/job descriptions of staff employees at USM and seeing how much they have evolved over time. It felt as though I was able to see part of USM's "history". The most difficult part of this project, for me, was deciding which competencies, and behaviors, make up a USM staff employee - especially since there are so many competencies and behaviors out there to choose from! My greatest takeaway I gained from this project was the vision I created of (hopefully) one day being able to develop my employee(s) by using a competency model. Not only will I be helping the individual(s), but also the company! As I see it, it is a win-win situation. 

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I can definitely attest to the fact that my appreciation for USM's HCD program felt "greater" while working through my final mastery project. Working through each and every section, I was able to conquer this entire project by referring back to my class notes and textbooks - whether it be HCD 660 Foundations of Human Capital Development, HCD 665 Project Management, HCD 720 Competency Models, or HCD 725 Advance Workforce Analysis... I never had a doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be able to find the answer to a question(s) I had while working through the project. This entire project truly made me feel that the past two years of my life were nothing less than worthwhile and I cannot wait to use the knowledge I've gained in "real-life" and make a difference in my current and/or future workplace!  

 

Because I have now (almost) completed the HCD master’s program at USM, I now have a greater/more educated understanding of what it takes to be considered a leader in an organization and not just an ordinary employee. I will now be able to take on any project, whether it be in my current organization and/or a future organization(s) of mine, with confidence and inspiration I have gained from my former HCD professors and colleagues. Having been able to hear other peoples’ experiences within their workplace(s) was truly priceless for me. I aspire to one day provide others with my "do's and don't's" tips through my many years of work experience.

 

In conclusion, thank you all so much for each and every thing you have done for me for the past two years of my life. It has been an honor, and a privilege, to have worked with such notable individuals which whom I will never forget.  Please stay safe this holiday season and I hope to stay in touch!

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With all of my love and gratitude towards the faculty and staff members of The University of Southern Mississippi's Human Capital Development graduate program, 

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Sara Rebecca Luther (soon-to-be, "Sara Rebecca Luther, M.S.")

 

Southern Miss... To The Top!