Ericka M. Bridges, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Healthcare Recruitment and HR

Ericka M. Bridges

Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Symbria

Milwaukee, WI

13Years experience

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's of Business Administration with focus on human resources - SNHU (in progress) Degree Business and management studies - Concordia University (not completed) Cert HRCI HR Certification (in progress) Cert National Society of Leadership and Success (in progress) Member National Society of Leadership and Success Member HR Certification Institute (HRCI)

Her Story

About Ericka

I got into HR recruitment somewhat by accident when a friend updated my resume and I landed an interview the next day. I've been in the field since 2013, starting in agency recruitment, then self-employed for a few years, and now back in corporate as a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist. My focus has always been in healthcare, recruiting physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, and now therapists. I decided to go back to school for my Bachelor's in Business Administration focusing on HR at SNHU after my kids became adults.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Ericka

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my hunger for achievement and the constant need to keep going to make sure my life is on track. Overall, what drives me is my children. I keep going for them even though they're adults now.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Someone told me, Erica, you have to be a bulldog in this business. It means you have to have some confidence about yourself when you're dealing with people. As an introverted extrovert who can be very shy, that advice has always stuck with me.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell her to just breathe, and don't take everything so serious. Enjoy what she's doing. And take the time to really learn and soak up everything in the moment. Don't put so much emphasis on what's happening 5 years from now. Focus on the now.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The world of recruitment has changed with so many layoffs across sectors. It's great that we're even employed. Climbing the ladder is challenging because there are not a lot of different roles within companies, so you often have to change companies to advance.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Happiness is the biggest thing. Being happy with what I do in the workplace as well as in my home life. If I'm healthy and happy, then everyone around me is healthy.

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