B-CU Alumna Appointed to the Volusia/Flagler County Society for Human Resources Management Board of Directors

DAYTONA BEACH, FL- Jennifer Adjetey is a 2014 alumna of B-CU from Cotonou, Benin. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from B-CU, and obtained a Masters in Human Resources Management in 2016 from Walden University.

Most recently, Adjetey was appointed as Vice President of Finance for the Volusia/Flagler County Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors. SHRM is an international professional human resources association that promotes Human Resources as a profession. The organization empowers human resources professionals through education, certification and networking.

How did you become involved with SHRM?

"I learned about SHRM while attending graduate school. Students were encouraged to join the organization and since I was looking to pursue a career in the field, I recognized the importance of becoming a national member. I gained access to resources, which supplemented the knowledge I gained while matriculating through the graduate program. This year, I joined the local chapter in an effort to become more involved in my community and continue my professional development in HR," she said.

"As a young professional, I bring a unique perspective to the organization. I am the only black woman and millennial professional on the board of directors. Diversity and inclusion in executive leadership is a necessity in the 21st century. With this unique opportunity, I hope to inspire young professionals to get involved in leadership roles within and outside of the workplace. My undergraduate experience as a student leader, coupled with my community involvement and professional experience at B-CU, in various positions over the past five years, has certainly prepared me for this exciting new role. It allows me to contribute my skills, talents, creativity, dynamism and the passion that I have for the HR profession."

In your opinion, what should a graduating senior be doing to prepare themselves for the workforce?

"Preparation begins prior to one’s senior year. This includes having a plan and some level of experience that allows for transferable skills and knowledge. As a student, these skills can be attained through mentoring, volunteering, internships and involvement in community and campus organizations. Building and maintaining a supportive network is vital. In addition, having an open mind and being flexible is important because things do not always go as planned once you have “crossed that stage." With the support, guidance and encouragement of faculty and staff, I got involved on campus and in the community and attended career fairs and recruitment events. I researched organizations that I was interested in and looked for opportunities to connect with people working in my field of interest," she shared.

"Most of my summers were spent working or interning. I interned with Prosperity Bank, now Ameris Bank after I was recruited by INROADS, an international organization that develops and places talented minority youth, and prepares them for corporate and community leadership. That internship, my experience working at B-CU as a Student-Worker, my involvement on campus and in the community, and the connections I made on campus along the way helped me stand out during the interview process for my first position of employment with B-CU as a Staff Accountant in the Office of Student Accounts, later as the Executive Assistant to the HR Director."

Currently, Adjetey serves as the Executive Assistant to Acting General Counsel in the Office of Legal Affairs at B-CU. In the next three to five years, Adjetey aspires to become a certified HR professional having earned her SHRM-CP certification, a credential that recognizes professionals as experts and leaders in the HR field.

She is working on her terminal degree in Business Administration and plans to attend law school to obtain her Juris Doctorate. By leveraging her SHRM certification, DBA and law license, Adjetey plans to develop a niche in labor relations, employment and civil rights law.