My HR Connection: A Hands-On View of Serving Human Resources October, 2012 | Page 17

Conclusion As I conclude this area of my direct HR connection experience, I find it so bittersweet to relive this time. For nine years and ten months, I was in the perfect job, worked for the perfect employer and had the perfect boss up to March 26, 2006. It was indeed a perfect fit. Today, you may hear that called job match. During the period of time in which I was working my notice, I had one last opportunity to hear of how my contributions to the organization and to the Personnel department was valued and appreciated, this time from the President/CEO. The full content of that conversation is no longer part of my memory, but he said something that described his thoughts and opinion about my professional contribution to the organization and that being that I was the anchor in the Personnel Department. Even with that wonderful compliment I still left. Why? There doesn’t seem to be a good reason anymore. The only plus to leaving that perfect job on January 9, 1999 was the professional journey I was going to be on in the future that brings me to this writing. My Personnel/HR direct connection was a very exciting, rewarding, unforgettable and exceptional career experience. It began my foundation for my love of HR. I feel it’s important to always remember where I came from, how each stage in my life situates me for the next stage. This works both as a personal and professional thought. It also helps me to align my goals, see how far I have come and how far I can still go. I have remained in touch with my past employer and feel I have a good relationship with the new management team within the nonprofit agency. I enjoy their quarterly newsletters and reading about what is going on and what they have accomplished with the clients they serve. Such an awesome program! They don’t know how much I still admire them from afar. Sheryl Eldridge Page - 16 -