Her Story
About Monique
Monique Michel serves as Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist for Early Careers at F5. She has been in the industry since 2001 and specializes in university relations and recruiting for interns and new college graduates. Her professional journey includes university sourcing and program management with Juniper Networks, regional training with SPS, university relations and staffing work with Veritas Technologies, and HR internship experience with Aruba/HPE. Monique holds associate degrees in business and general education, as well as a bachelor's degree in business administration focused on human resources from San Jose State University, her alma mater. She also maintains certifications and credentials in project management and communication. Throughout her career, she has developed intern showcases and mentorship programs, including a micro-mentorship initiative for female-identifying interns at Veritas Technologies, and partnered with San Jose State University to launch a technical skills training program for the Lucas College of Business.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Your career is often a jungle gym, rarely a ladder. You might need to make lateral moves to deepen skills, shift organizations, or get certifications. I started in fashion where I learned forecasting trends, which I now use with emerging talent and multi-generational workforce.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take the time to understand the business needs and build relationships with hiring managers, leaders, and executives. Educate on the long-term strategic impact of interns and programs for workforce, company brand, and community building. This helps secure funding and shows positive outcomes.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Human first, high performing, do the right thing. Empathy, human connection, honesty, integrity. Family. Communication, authenticity, and transparency. Balance and self-care.
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