Career Pathway Video Series Interview: Angelica Correa

Angelica Correa
Assistant Director of Human Resources, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Management/Human Resources, 2013

If you want a career with a lot of variety in your day-to-day duties, a position in the field of human resources may be the right fit for you. 

Angelica Correa

This is according to Angelica Correa, who earned her degree in management with an emphasis in HR from the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University in 2013. Correa recently discussed her position in the HR department of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills with another Fowler management graduate, Andy Esparza (’81), as part of Fowler’s management department Career Pathways video series.

Esparza: How did you decide HR was the right path for you? 

Correa: I actually started SDSU in 2008 with Spanish as my declared major and I had intended on becoming a Spanish teacher. But in 2008, the ongoing recession led to a lot of teachers getting laid off, so I went to plan B. That’s when I decided to pursue a degree in management with an HR specialization since it included that training and teaching element I enjoyed. 

Esparza: What does a typical day look like for you? 

Correa: Human resources work at a hotel is very fast paced, but a hotel environment is a 24/7 business. So as soon as I wake up in the morning, I check email, and as soon as I get into the office, we have a daily operations meeting. I lead a team of five, so after the meeting, I meet with my team to see if they need assistance. Then I need to make sure any labor relations and workers’ compensation issues are up-to-date, and I handle the employee relations issues that might arise. I’m also there to assist our management team with any HR questions they might have throughout the day. 

Esparza: Maybe you could tell us a little about your time at San Diego State, your involvement with the student organizations, and how SDSU helped you get ready for your career. 

Correa: My time at SDSU was amazing! I loved it so much, sometimes I wish I could go back. SDSU did have SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) and at that time, it was very small. I was finally able to join SHRM during my senior year and I joined as the organization’s historian. In the spring of that year, I became their president and I’m glad I did, even though it was my last semester. We were able to grow the organization from about 10 people to 30, I learned about the different certifications SHRM had to offer, and I was able to network with different HR professionals. 

Esparza: What advice would you give SDSU’s current students? 

Correa: Don’t be scared. Just go for it and speak up. Even if you feel like you’re going to make a fool of yourself, you won’t. Also, join student organizations. They help build relationships and give you the leadership skills to help you find the strengths in others so you can delegate responsibilities. 

Lastly, be empathetic and put yourself in the shoes of others. That’s the best way to learn to be a great leader.