Oct. 22, 2018

Sasha Einziger, Master of Human Resources (MHR) candidate for Dec. 2018

 

Why did you choose to attend the Moore School?
I completed my undergraduate and soon-to-be graduate degree at the University of South Carolina. When I first visited UofSC my junior year of high school, I had that “feeling” — I truly felt at home.

I stayed for my Master of Human Resources (MHR) degree for a couple of reasons: (1) The opportunities that the MHR program presented me with were truly unmatched. Fortune 500 employers are continually brought in to specifically recruit us. (2) The time and energy the faculty devote to the students is unmatched. The size of the cohort is relatively small at just under 40 people, so each student is given ample one-on-one attention to help grow and develop them.

Who at the Moore School most impacted you and how?
I have been fortunate in that a lot of people in my time at the Moore School have invested in me and pushed me to my fullest potential. It is hard for me to choose just one person, but I should give a BIG thank you to Lynn McFarland. She was my management professor in an undergraduate class of 500 people, but even with the size of the class, she took the time to get to know me as a person and understand what I was looking for in my career. She’s actually the person who introduced me to the MHR program and encouraged me to pursue the accelerated MHR degree. She helped me realize there was a career path for me that I didn’t even know existed.

What do you enjoy most about your program?
I’ve been able to build an incredible network in this program. I’ve met some of my best friends and amazingly bright people. With a cohort of 40 people who all have the same schedule for 16 months, you get close fast. You’re like a family — sometimes you don’t see eye to eye, but, in the end, you are there for each other. The HR community is small, and I have a whole group of people I can bounce ideas off of. I’ve been able to learn beside some extraordinarily smart people who have pushed me to become better, so that is easily one of my favorite parts of the MHR program.

What was the most valuable thing you learned through the program?
I have learned how to ask really good questions. The program brings in a variety of executives from different companies. Our class is given this remarkable opportunity to have discussions with each person brought in. I recognized early on what a unique opportunity it is to be able to pick these thought leaders’ brains, and I wanted to make sure I was using my time wisely. I began to prepare for each visit and think about what I was curious to know and what I could learn.

While this might seem simple, raising my hand during class or speaker presentations was not something I was initially comfortable with. I asked my professors to call on me in class and slowly but surely became eager to start asking what I wanted to know. Over the summer at my internship, when presented with opportunities to speak with senior leaders, I felt ready and excited to ask them challenging questions, so the MHR program definitely prepared me for that.

How did the accelerated program specifically help you in your career?
I’m the first person to go through the accelerated MHR program, and it’s been an exciting experience. I feel fortunate to have been chosen for this opportunity. Being able to complete my dual bachelor’s degree and master’s in only four-and-a-half years is absolutely mind-blowing. Having my master’s has opened up so many opportunities, and being able to obtain it while completing my undergraduate degree jumpstarted my career. I am entering the working world at a higher level and with a stronger skill set than I would have otherwise. The rigor and amount of work required to complete my undergraduate degree while starting my master’s tested my time management skills, but, in the end, it was very rewarding!

What’s next for you after graduation?
I’ve officially accepted a full-time position with Synchrony Bank. I am proud and excited to be joining their business leadership program in February after graduation. The program is three eight-month rotations, and my first role will be at their headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.