Thinking of a career in Human Resources? Check out Patty Van Zandt, an Independent Human Resource (HR) Specialist. Patty, who has a BA in Speech Communications and a Minor in English, describes the discovery of her profession as “falling into my career.” After an eventful undertaking in the music and arts industry, she found her career experience lacking the personal fulfillment that can accompany success. “I had to find my niche,” which is just what she did, electing to strengthen her urge to grow in a new field. “My passion was really in Human Resource Management and employee relations.”
A unique twist Patty brings to the Human Resource field is being a homebased worker. She doesn’t face common workplace dynamics like the grand-standing colleague or lack of office space, instead she is able to focus on real issues facing Human Resources today. “I enjoy the fact that my career allows me to work from home with flexible hours. Plus, working as a professional Human Resource writer has allowed me to expand my career into an exciting non traditional HR role.” For several years Patty has worked from a homebased business, prior to the recent surge for individuals to fulfill career dreams in the at-home work environment. However, Patty recalls a few years ago being a homebased business owner emerged as one of her biggest obstacles. “The stigma surrounding saying ‘I work from home’ was a challenge. But, a career that allows you to work from home or telecommute is such a commodity today, it carries much more power than it used to, and has literally elevated my career status and capabilities.”
Although Patty stays busy in her active career life, she does find time to relax. How does she do it? One might guess frequent coffee breaks or long lunches. According to Patty, “I need to keep up on the newest trends, developments, findings and studies conducted and reported in Human Resource Management. So, I set aside a few hours each day to research and study the industry, which I usually do by reading daily newspapers and magazines. This is my absolute favorite and best form of relaxation, even though it is work related.” Goes to show you, the ‘work’ disappears when a person can pinpoint and lead a career life that serves as a genuine passion.
How a person view’s success is often a precursor to how successful a person becomes, Patty feels many people view success as a broad-based term. “I look at success as a personal feeling of accomplishment –no matter what the task. Whether it’s successfully pulling all the weeds out of my garden, or writing an article that covered groundbreaking territory, success is a sense of how I feel inside when the project I am concentrating on is finished. There is no cookie cutter imprint for success, and there are many complex levels to it.”
Although Patty has reached a high level of success, she holds to a basic premise to help continue along that road, “I believe in the power of the golden rule.” She makes an effortless point to treat anyone she encounters in her professional life with respect and gratitude. This ‘do unto others’ approach satisfies the ‘what comes around goes around’ belief. When you treat people how you like to be treated, people reciprocate. Taking this general practice one more step, Patty extends herself further by acting as a mentor. “I have never had a formal mentor, but have learned much from many people who each helped to shape the individual—and worker—that I am. I have served as a mentor to many friends, family members, co-workers and colleagues and believe in the power a great mentor can bring.” Mentoring offers another tool toward success, reaching out to individuals by providing guidance and direction.
Patty encourages anyone trying to break into a field to, “find your niche and become an industry expert. Realize that for every door that closes, two new doors blow open.” She holds a high regard for formal education, but additionally points out, “I have learned more over the years from personal experience and those around me—than through any traditional course I have taken. But realize, if you want to gain the reputation of being an expert or competent worker in your field, you will have to complete a certain amount of course work. It is certainly not possible to learn everything through life experiences. Professionally, I recommend every worker hold at least a Baccalaureate degree. I also recommend joining clubs and organizations in your field of interest to help boost your career.”
Patty Van Zandt’s inspiring career story is one of intrigue and tenacity. Running businesses while keeping on top of Human Resource Management developments makes for a fast paced work environment, a challenge Patty prevails at every day. Patty’s career success is a clear demonstration, when you find your career calling, jump at the chance and give it your all. When you do what you love, opportunities will follow. Patty’s career has excelled to exciting heights due to her continuous effort to be outstanding in her field. The belief in her ability to develop accomplished Human Resource tools will continue to assist people in their working lives. Patty’s stamina and dedication to her career field will only persist in bringing her opportunities as she exceeds the limits producing top rated HR information and providing services that are in demand. Patty Van Zandt is a leader in both career and life success.
