Her Story
About Cydney
Cydney C. St. Junior is an emerging human resources professional, student leader, and aspiring nonprofit founder who is passionate about developing people and building stronger organizations through effective training and leadership. A senior at Louisiana State University, she is completing a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Communication Studies, Leadership Development, and Business Administration, and is scheduled to graduate in the fall. While balancing full-time employment and an internship, she serves as Lead Night Auditor at a New Orleans hotel and as a student intern with Louisiana Economic Development, gaining valuable experience in organizational development, employee engagement, and workforce training.
With six to seven years of experience in training and development, Cydney has built a strong foundation across hospitality, sales, and public service. Her leadership journey includes training new team members as a lead waitress and sales representative, managing and mentoring staff as an assistant manager with Vector Marketing, designing the onboarding and training process for night auditors at her hotel, and contributing to e-learning development, policies, and procedures through her internship with Louisiana Economic Development. She plans to further expand her professional network by joining the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the New Orleans Society for Human Resource Management (NOSHRM), reinforcing her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in the HR profession.
Driven by a desire to create lasting impact, Cydney credits much of her growth to the guidance of mentors including Dr. Estella Williams, Stacy McRoyal, Dr. Marcus Silvas, Dr. Bethany Hager, and CJ Marshall, whose encouragement has helped shape her leadership philosophy. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she supports her community by donating to Covenant House New Orleans and is committed to serving others through future nonprofit work. After graduation, she plans to continue her career in human resources with a focus on training and organizational development while pursuing her long-term vision of establishing a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cydney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my commitment to continuous learning and growth. My experience in human resources, along with balancing my roles as an LSU student, an intern with Louisiana Economic Development, and Lead Night Auditor at a New Orleans hotel, has helped me build strong skills in leadership, training, and development. Each opportunity has challenged me to grow professionally while gaining valuable real-world experience.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to network. Building genuine relationships has opened doors, provided valuable guidance, and connected me with people who have helped shape my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to seek out several mentors who can support and guide them throughout their careers. Having mentors with different perspectives has been invaluable to my professional development, and I believe strong relationships can make a significant difference in both personal and career growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing the demands of school, work, and my internship. Effective time management has been essential, and learning to prioritize responsibilities has strengthened my organizational skills. At the same time, these experiences have given me opportunities to grow, gain practical knowledge, and prepare for the next stage of my career.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that is most important to me is continuous growth. I strive to keep learning, embrace new challenges, and improve both personally and professionally. I believe maintaining a growth mindset allows me to adapt, develop new skills, and make a meaningful impact wherever I work.
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