Her Story
About Mahalia
I've been in human resources for about 11 years now, working across a variety of industries. My journey started right out of college when I got my bachelor's in psychology from Texas A&M University. I was ready to work and honestly tired of school, so my aunt suggested I look at a role at Hilton Americas in downtown Houston. I applied twice - didn't get it the first time, but the second time I did. The HR director there told me I didn't have any experience, but she could tell I had the personality and the care for people, and that can't be taught. She was willing to take a chance on me, and that really blessed me. I was at Hilton for almost 3 years in hospitality, then moved into oil and gas for a couple of years, then manufacturing during COVID for about 3 years, then supply chain for almost a couple of years, and then logistics. Each industry helped me progress and learn from different people. While I was going through it, it didn't make sense because I thought, who would want to hire someone in different industries? But I'm really grateful for how my career went because to be the best in human resources, you need to be around different people and learn different industries - it just makes you better at your craft. I got my master's in human resource management from Houston Christian University from 2016 to 2018, and last year I got my SHRM certification. I started in my current position as Human Resources Business Partner at IMI in March of this year. My main area of expertise is as a generalist, particularly in strategy and human capital, dealing with day-to-day items while connecting them to the bigger picture. I grew up in Fifth Ward, Houston, Texas, which is a low to mid-income neighborhood, and I like representing hope to those that came from where I've come from. That's what keeps me in human resources - I get to see the people behind the machines and be that soft but realistic place to land, because HR sometimes can get a bad rep.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mahalia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith is number one. My relationship with Jesus keeps my mind focused on the goals I need to achieve, my decision making bold when I need to take chances and my heart/mind curious enough to ask questions so that I can continue to learn in any environment I am in.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
"Anyone can be taught policies and procedures but care for people has to come naturally"
This taught me to flow in my gifts as an HR professional and not to compare myself to someone else in my career. This mindset has helped me remain humble in knowing that I have to be thoughtful, thorough and transparent in how connection with others and decision making.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, number one, that everybody's purpose looks different. So don't downplay what your purpose is. Just because it did not happen for maybe generations before you doesn't mean that it can't happen for you. Again, I'm a believer in Christ, so always stay prayed up in regards to where that direction will lead you, because it may look like it's impossible based upon just where you came from, but I feel like I'm a representation that you don't have to look like where you came from. My mom for example - I came from a single hardworking mother, and she has established a lot of great principles within me, and she's always told me that her goal for her kids were for us to go further than her. I never want, whether it's young women or young men, to ever feel as if you have to stop where you are. No, just give yourself room to grow. And also, we all make mistakes. And beautiful things can come from those mistakes if you do not beat yourself up about it, you learn from it, and then move forward. Those are my two biggest takeaways - everybody's purpose is different so don't compare yours to anyone else's, and don't be afraid to learn from your mistakes or wrong choices - get back up and keep moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Maintaining connection in a meaningful way and translating the importance of that connection to others in today's technical advances. AI is moving at the speed of light now and while it is effective and efficient, my job is to strategically maintain valuable connections. What's truly exciting about AI in my field is that I get to be creative and learn different methods to keep my team moving forward technologically while maintaining that necessary human connection.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Truly displaying the love of Christ in my life to those around me is becoming such a valuable journey to me the older I am. It's definitely a journey indeed but provides me the stability I need in any season of life I may be in ( work or personal).
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