There’s a bit of the pay-it-forward spirit in Ariel Abramova’s decision to go into human resources as a career. The psychology major and William E. Macaulay Honors College student worked with two alumni mentors whom she met through the Magner Career Center and was so inspired by their guidance, that she knew she wanted to pursue a career helping people succeed. She has gone on to take positions with the Magner Center, first as a peer mentor, then as a career services assistant, and currently as a human resources assistant. She has also interned in the human resources departments of the New York office of the International Chamber of Commerce, a position she gained through the Magner Center, and now at the cosmetic company Clarins, focusing on talent acquisition and diversity and inclusion initiatives. The junior credits her education in psychology with teaching her how to best approach, interact, and assist those she encounters in her academic, professional, and social life. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in social-organizational psychology or human resource management. BC: How did working with alumni mentors spur your decision to pursue a career in human resources? AA: One of my mentors was Karole Levine-Meyerholz ’16 M.A. As a talent acquisition manager at Estée Lauder, she taught me a lot about what working in human resources looks like. I’ve always been interested in working in the beauty industry, and she taught me that human resources experience can apply to practically any industry. My other mentor, Anson Carter ’16 M.A., works as a consultant for the professional services network company Deloitte. He has helped me understand the world of consulting. He’s a great resource and makes himself available to talk. Overall, my mentors’ experiences and their guidance are a true source of inspiration. BC: Tell us about your experience at the International Chamber of Commerce? What were some of your duties as an intern? AA: It was extremely valuable. I helped to lead an internship program, pre-screened hundreds of résumés, and communicated with candidates for positions ranging from head of sustainability to policy lead. I helped to hire my intern replacement there. The internship taught me how to identify exceptional candidates and communicate with individuals from around the world. I also worked on a lot of event promotion. One thing the Magner Career Center has helped me understand is that it’s important to help newly hired employees to assimilate into their new roles. BC: What other insights have you gained as an HR intern? AA: The pandemic expanded the role of human resources. HR has had to shift focus to working with employees in a remote world and helping them navigate the stress of uncertainty and grief during this unprecedented time. I’ve seen so many professionals in the field who adapted and worked diligently to ensure that all employees are safe and well.
