Isaiah Thomas (BS human resource development ’20) recently accomplished two major milestones. In addition to earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Development (HRD), he also received his professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) two years earlier than most Human Resources (HR) professionals, making him the first graduate from the Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation’s HRD program to do so.
The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) recognition confirms that HR professionals implement policies and strategies, serve as point of contact for staff and stakeholders, deliver HR services and perform operational HR functions. Because the Polytechnic’s HRD major is aligned with the SHRM’s academic standards, graduates who meet the program requirements are eligible to take the SHRM Certified Professional exam without needing to complete the prerequisite two-years of full-time HR employment.
"This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the HRD capstone course that Professor Akdere teaches and the SHRM-approved curriculum of the human resource development degree program,” said Thomas, who is employed in the HR Department of Amazon. “I am excited to see what doors this certification will open for me in my professional career."
“Earning the SHRM certification makes our graduates recognized experts and leaders in the HR field,” said Mesut Akdere, professor of human resource development in the Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation. “This professional distinction sets our program alumni apart from their colleagues.”