A personal reflection on navigating an unexpected career transition with optimism, exploring new opportunities in HR, administration, and leadership while pursuing further education and embracing the possibilities ahead.
Her Story
About Qeysha
Qeysha Riding, BS, SHRM-CP, is a dedicated human resources and administration professional with extensive experience in higher education, executive support, employee relations, and organizational operations. Most recently, she served as an Executive Assistant at San Joaquin Valley College, where she supported executive leadership, coordinated Board of Governors meetings, prepared confidential communications, and helped facilitate performance evaluation processes. Her career journey reflects resilience and determination. After spending approximately 12 years at Walmart, where she advanced into management and developed expertise in team leadership, customer service, and operational efficiency, a workplace accident prompted her to pursue a new direction through education. Having returned to school as a high school dropout, Qeysha earned her college degree in 2019 and subsequently joined San Joaquin Valley College, beginning a new chapter in her professional development. During her tenure at San Joaquin Valley College, Qeysha progressed through administrative and HR support roles before advancing to Executive Assistant, a position she held for a year and a half. Her responsibilities encompassed employee onboarding, compliance documentation, personnel processes, and coordination across departments. She also led the DEI Unity Council, supporting initiatives that promoted inclusion and collaboration, and contributed to the Academic Council by coordinating meetings and maintaining minutes. In addition, she supported the tracking of Wildly Important Goals (WIGs), helping teams maintain focus on organizational priorities and progress. Her combination of human resources knowledge and executive-level administrative experience has equipped her to navigate complex workplace needs while fostering positive employee experiences and efficient operations. Qeysha holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management specializing in HR from San Joaquin Valley College and is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). She is pursuing a Master of Science in Managerial Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Global, with completion expected in February 2027. She attributes much of her success to her son, whose influence inspired her to continue her education, pursue professional growth, and create new opportunities for herself and her family. Guided by compassion, optimism, integrity, and a commitment to helping others overcome obstacles, Qeysha is currently seeking her next oppertunity in a HR management or Operations roles where she can contribute to employee development, organizational culture, and strategic people operations. Beyond her professional ambitions, she remains open to new experiences and personal challenges, including exploring the possibility of obtaining a pilot's license.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Qeysha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my son, who inspired me to become the best version of myself and motivated me to pursue opportunities I never thought possible. Becoming a mother changed my perspective and gave me a deeper sense of purpose, influencing the decisions I made about my education, career, and personal growth. Before having him, I never imagined I would achieve the level of success I have today, but he gave me the motivation to challenge myself, overcome obstacles, and continue striving for more. His inspiration has been the driving force behind my determination to grow, pursue my goals, and build a better future for both of us.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have learned through my experiences is to believe in myself and remain open to opportunities for growth, even when I may doubt my abilities. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with supportive managers and professional leaders who recognized my potential and encouraged me to take on new challenges. Their encouragement showed me how powerful it can be when someone believes in you and helps you see possibilities you may not recognize in yourself. My son has also been a tremendous source of inspiration, motivating me to continue my education, develop professionally, and strive to become the best version of myself. These experiences have taught me the importance of believing in my potential, embracing new opportunities, and never allowing self-doubt to prevent me from pursuing my goals.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering human resources and administration is to believe in themselves, recognize their potential, and surround themselves with supportive leaders who encourage their growth. We are all capable of achieving success, but sometimes we need to believe in ourselves before others can see what we are capable of accomplishing. Finding the right management team can make a tremendous difference in your career by providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to develop your skills. When you have leaders who recognize your strengths and challenge you to grow, you can accomplish far more than you ever imagined. Never underestimate your abilities or allow self-doubt to hold you back. Believe in yourself, seek out the right people, and remain open to opportunities that push you beyond your comfort zone.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in human resources and administration right now is the growing influence of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to advance, tasks that once required two or three employees may increasingly be handled by one person, changing the way organizations structure their teams and define roles. This creates pressure for professionals to continually expand their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and remain adaptable in an evolving job market. Another challenge is that even with extensive education and relevant experience, candidates may struggle to secure opportunities if their résumé does not include the exact job title employers are seeking. I believe it is important to keep learning, pursue professional development, and clearly communicate the value of your experience. Professionals must be willing to adapt to new technologies while recognizing that their judgment, interpersonal skills, and ability to support people remain valuable assets in the workplace.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my professional and personal life are family, perseverance, education, integrity, inclusion, and continuous personal growth. My son is one of my greatest sources of motivation and has inspired me to pursue higher education, challenge myself, and work toward goals I once thought were beyond my reach. I believe in treating people with respect, building supportive relationships, and creating opportunities for others to succeed regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. I also value the importance of believing in yourself and encouraging others to recognize their own potential. For me, success is not just about professional achievements; it is also about continuing to learn, overcoming challenges, supporting the people I care about, and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Outside of work, I enjoy art, creativity, spending time with my family, and exploring my longstanding interest in aviation. One of my personal goals is to earn my pilot's license, with the possibility of pursuing a future as a cargo pilot. I am passionate about continuing to grow, discovering new opportunities, and embracing experiences that challenge me to become the best version of myself.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Qeysha
Next Chapter
Finding purpose and possibility in an unexpected career transition.
The Beginning of My Unknown Story
Two weeks ago, I was laid off. Suddenly, the next chapter of my career became a blank page.
There is uncertainty in that - but there is also possibility.
For years, I focused on growing within an organization, taking on new responsibilities, and building my skills. Now, I get to ask a different question: Where do I want to take that experience next?
I am exploring opportunities in human resources, administration, and leadership while continuing my master's degree. Each application and conversation is a chance to discover a team, a purpose, or a direction I might never have considered before.
That is what excites me about this moment. I know what I have done, but I have yet to discover everything I can do.
An unexpected career change creates room to reconsider familiar goals and imagine new ones. What kind of work energizes me? Where can I make a meaningful contribution? What would I pursue if I allowed myself to be a little more curious and a little more ambitious?
I do not have all those answers yet. I am enjoying the possibility that the next opportunity could surprise me.
I bring my experience, education, and determination into this chapter, along with a willingness to learn. There are new people to meet, challenges to take on, and accomplishments I cannot picture yet.
If you are navigating a transition of your own, I hope you give yourself permission to feel excited about what is still possible. You can take your next step without knowing the entire route.
I am sharing my story at the beginning, while the possibilities are still open. I look forward to seeing where they lead - and sharing what I discover along the way.
My next chapter is still unwritten. I am ready to begin.
A powerful personal narrative about overcoming self-doubt and family limitations to build a successful career and inspire the next generation through determination, education, and unwavering belief in oneself.
Prove Them Wrong
From Doubt to Determination: How I Learned to Believe in My Own Potential
Learning to Believe in Myself
Growing up, I had family members tell me I was stupid and would never amount to anything beyond being a housewife.
The truth is, being a wife and mother was something I wanted. There is value in building a home and caring for a family. But those words made me believe that I was incapable of choosing anything else. I wanted that life, yet I also believed it was the only life I could manage.
My childhood included instability with unstable parents and a period of homelessness. I left home at sixteen without finishing high school. Later, I married a man who did not believe in me either. Our marriage was rocky, and it was difficult to build confidence in myself when the people closest to me reinforced the doubts I already carried.
Then my son came into my life.
Becoming his mother changed what I wanted for our future. I wanted him to believe in himself, pursue opportunities, and know that he had choices. I began to realize that the only way he could see that possibility was for me to show him that it was possible.
I knew that no one was coming to save me. If our lives were going to change, I had to take the first step-even while I was scared and unsure of myself.
I spent approximately twelve years at Walmart, working my way into management. When a workplace accident forced me to reconsider my future, I returned to school. As a high school dropout, I carried those old judgments with me. Part of me still wondered whether my family had been right about what I could accomplish.
In 2019, I earned my first college degree. I went on to earn my bachelor's degree and my SHRM-CP certification. I built a career in higher education administration and human resources support, eventually advancing into an executive assistant role. Today, divorced and on my own, I am pursuing my master's degree and working toward my next professional opportunity. I find that each ending is just a door opening to a new beginning.
Each accomplishment gave me evidence that I am capable. I had proved the people who doubted me wrong, but something more personal happened along the way: I began to believe in myself.
That belief did not arrive all at once. It grew every time I completed a class, handled a difficult responsibility, or kept going through a setback. I am still learning, and I still have moments of doubt. But I no longer accept someone else's judgment as the limit of my future.
To the woman trying to build a life while carrying so much on her own: I know how hard it can be to take a chance on yourself when you have spent years being told you cannot.
You do not need to have all the answers before you begin. Ask for support. Apply for the opportunity. Take the class. Give yourself a chance to find out what you can do.
My son inspired me to change our lives. I had to do the work, but with every step, I became someone who could see a future beyond simply getting through the day.
I wanted to give him a mother he could believe in. Along the way, I became a woman who could believe in herself.
I just ask you one thing: do it scared. Prove them wrong.
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