OCCC is preparing to establish a student chapter of SHRM (formerly known as the Society for Human Resource Management), aiming to give students new opportunities for professional networking, leadership development and career readiness.
Courtney Enos, vice president of human resources at OCCC, was planning to submit an application to launch the chapter before the end of September, with a goal of recruiting at least eight student members and identifying officers by Oct. 31. Once approved, the organization would become part of a national network of student and professional chapters that connect members to industry leaders across the country.
“This is all about creating connections and opportunities,” Enos said. “We only get to keep our students for two or three years, and during that time, we want to set them up for success. SHRM provides not just knowledge of the workplace, but also the relationships that help you thrive after graduation.”
Although OCCC does not currently offer a degree in human resources, the college’s business program includes SHRM-approved courses. Enos believes that student interest in the new chapter could help open the door for expanded course offerings in the future.
Enos emphasized that SHRM is not limited to business or HR majors. The skills and connections developed through the chapter are valuable across disciplines.
“It’s not just for people who want to work in human resources,” Enos said. “If you want to be a leader in any business or industry, you need to understand how people are managed and supported. That’s where SHRM comes in.”
Once established, the chapter will host a series of recurring events each semester designed to connect students with faculty, professionals and alumni.
The first, “Meet the Faculty,” will introduce students to HR and business instructors at the start of each term. A second event, “Meet the Professionals,” will bring in business leaders and human resources specialists from the Oklahoma City area. The third, “Meet the Alumni,” will feature OCCC graduates who have gone on to careers in business or HR.
Through SHRM, students would also gain access to the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society, which connects more than 400 professionals across industries. That membership would allow OCCC students to attend networking events, career panels and other activities outside of campus.
The SHRM chapter would work closely with OCCC’s Career Success and Workforce Development Department, aligning its goals with existing internship and externship programs. Enos expects that collaboration to create more pathways into the local job market.
“This is about preparing students for their next step,” Enos said. “Whether they’re heading into HR, management, education or another field, they’ll be able to leave here not only with classroom experience but also with professional connections.”
Enos also hopes to put a spotlight on the role of HR as more than just “hiring and firing.”
“The majority of an organization’s expenses are its people,” Enos said. “HR is about taking care of those people and making sure they have good experiences, fair compensation and strong support systems. If we take care of our employees, they’ll take care of our students.”
Enos pointed to HR’s wide variety of responsibilities, from benefits and wellness programs to talent acquisition, training, safety and mediation. She hopes that the new SHRM chapter will show students the diverse career paths available in the field.
Reflecting on how she entered the field through an unexpected path, Enos recounted working as a social worker for eight years, transitioning into HR and discovering a career that focused on helping people grow and succeed. She said that experience shapes her commitment to showing students the diverse ways they can connect to HR.
“I didn’t expect to end up here, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Enos said. “HR is about people, and that makes every day meaningful.”
