Kole Arnott

I attribute my success to the wonderful family members who raised me and guided me throughout my life, instilling in me the values of perseverance and hard work as the true keys to achieving anything worthwhile.

The best career advice I ever received came from my grandfather, who always told me that if somebody is willing to teach you something, it’s worth learning. That simple philosophy has shaped how I approach every opportunity, pushing me to stay curious and say yes to learning new skills, even ones that didn’t seem directly relevant at the time. Looking back, some of the most valuable knowledge I’ve gained came from moments when someone offered to show me something and I chose to pay attention rather than assume it wouldn’t matter.

Don't let anything that looks like an obstacle stop you. Go over it. Take any new challenge that you can. Anytime somebody is willing to teach you something, you need to take the time to learn that. And that's something my grandfather taught me.

As a Senior HR Generalist for a midsize construction company, one of my biggest challenges is balancing compliance complexity with limited staffing. I’m often the one keeping up with OSHA regulations, DOT/FMCSA requirements for our CDL drivers, FMLA and ADA obligations, and state employment law, all without a large dedicated legal or HR team behind me. Recruiting and retaining skilled trades talent is another constant pressure, since the pool of qualified carpenters, cabinet makers, and project managers stays tight, so I have to get creative with outreach and onboarding. At the same time, I’m building out formal HR infrastructure from the ground up, like performance review systems, safety programs, and employee handbooks, while still managing the day to day employee relations work that comes with a growing team.

The greatest opportunity in this role is the chance to shape a company’s culture and systems in a way that actually lasts. Because so much of our HR infrastructure is still being built rather than inherited, I get to design policies, training, and review processes that fit how our teams really work, not just adapt something generic. It’s also a role with real visibility into people’s careers, whether that’s helping someone move into a leadership position, resolving a conflict before it becomes a bigger issue, or building a recruiting process that brings in people who stick around. In an industry facing a real skilled labor shortage, being able to make our company a place people want to join and stay at feels like meaningful, lasting work.

In both my personal and professional life, the values that matter most to me center on being present and genuine in whatever role I’m in. First and foremost, I am a mother, and no career aspiration will ever come before being the best mom I can be to my son; that role grounds everything else I do. Professionally, I strive to be an example to my coworkers of what hard work and dedication truly look like, not just in words but in how I show up every day. Honesty is another core value for me, I believe trust is built through transparency, even when a conversation is difficult. And while it might not sound like a traditional professional value, I try to bring a fun loving spirit to my work too, because I think the best teams are the ones who can work hard and still find joy and lightness in what they do together.