Beth Miller Baum

Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.

I am the HR Generalist at Miller Management. My role is interesting because I get to dabble in every area of Human Resources: Hiring, Recruiting, On-boarding, Employee Relations, Organizational Development, Benefits, Payroll, HR Software, Compliance, Event Planning, and Consulting for Clients. Every day looks a little different! I enjoy the variety of work I get to do, but most of all I enjoy getting to help my peers and my clients. It’s very fulfilling to be able to explain a complex topic to others in a way they can understand, answer questions, provide solutions, or help them with a problem they are having.

What aspects of your HLGU experience helped you prepare for your career?

I use so much of the knowledge I gained at HLGU in my every day work. Even though my degree is not in Human Resources, many of the skills I was taught in the Communications department transfer so well to other roles. I can still hear my professor’s voices in my head when I’m writing an email or a document about how to make it “clear, concise, and to the point”. I often think back to my public speaking courses and marketing courses when I am conducting an interview, or writing a job advertisement.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

At my current company, the clients we serve are exclusively churches and non-profits. I am very proud of the fact that I get to directly impact the Kingdom of God with my work because I am helping these churches and ministry organizations thrive. They often don’t know how to write policies, or what is legal, or how to hire the right people. So when I get to step in and help them with HR related work, it makes me incredibly happy and proud to do what I do because I know it’s making an impact!

What HLGU professors played a part in your success? How did your relationship with faculty help you succeed?

Dr. Christina Brennemann was my adviser and one of my main professors during my time at HLGU. She played a huge part in my success because she not only taught me invaluable life lessons, but she also encouraged me and really built a relationship with me during my time there. Six years later and I still am in contact with her, and I know I could reach out to her anytime if I needed to. I am forever grateful for the time I got to spend learning under her.

Please list any scholarships, honors, or awards you received as an undergraduate or graduate.

I had scholarships for concert choir, academics for my grades when I transferred in, and for being a student ambassador.

Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?

Get real life experience! Take any internships you can find, paid or unpaid, or go volunteer somewhere. The more experience you come out of college with, the easier it will be to land a quality job in your field.

What are some of your favorite HLGU memories?

I met my husband (who I’ve been married to for 5 and 1/2 years now) at HLGU, so memories with him are always sweet! Being proposed to under the arch was one of my favorites. I also met one of my best friends who I still talk to on a weekly basis at HLGU.

What on-campus activities were you involved in at HLGU?

Concert choir, Student Ambassadors, and Student Government.