Her Story
About Aracely
Aracely Perez is an emerging Human Resources professional and recent Business Management graduate from the University of Maryland, passionate about employee experience, people development, and creating supportive workplace environments. She brings a strong interest in understanding how individuals work, learn, and thrive, and is driven by a people-first mindset that emphasizes collaboration, kindness, and organizational efficiency. Through her academic and internship experiences, Aracely has developed a strong foundation in HR operations, recruitment support, onboarding, compliance, and internal process improvement.
During her internship as an Operations & Human Resources Intern with Ayuda, Aracely gained hands-on experience supporting HR systems, conducting I-9 audits, assisting with onboarding processes, and contributing to the implementation of a cloud-based payroll and human capital management system. She also helped organize employee engagement events across multiple offices, strengthening team connection and workplace culture. Her ability to balance administrative precision with a thoughtful approach to employee experience has made her a valuable contributor in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
In addition to her professional experience, Aracely has demonstrated leadership and commitment to community through her involvement as President of Pa’Lante Latin Dance Company and as a member of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. In these roles, she led teams, coordinated events, managed budgets, and supported cultural and community engagement initiatives. She is now seeking entry-level opportunities in Human Resources where she can continue to grow, contribute to meaningful organizational work, and apply her skills in communication, organization, and people-centered problem solving.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aracely
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to explore beyond what I know. When I was younger, I initially wanted to go into education and teaching, but a very influential mentor of mine told me that the reason I wanted to do that was because the only college-educated individuals who were making an impact in my community that I knew were teachers. He really pushed me to explore the bounds of different industries and different professions and what made impact, which eventually led me towards biomedical engineering, assistive technology, and environmental spaces which I previously was not aware of. I think exploring the bounds of what you know was an incredibly important piece of advice that I received.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have a strong passion for music, including singing and playing guitar. I also have a deep appreciation for the arts and enjoy drawing—recently, I’ve been creating personal comic-style illustrations inspired by literature I’ve read this year.
In addition to my creative interests, I enjoy staying active. I especially like swimming and climbing trees, and I value spending time outdoors.
I am also an avid reader and enjoy spending time in reflection through reading the Bible, praying, and connecting with other students in meaningful and supportive ways.
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