Her Story
About Sarai
Sarai Sandoval is a Human Resources Generalist at Universal Asset Management (UAM), an aircraft disassembly and warehouse company based in Mississippi. With nearly three years of experience in human resources, she supports key HR functions including reporting, payroll processing, employee relations, compliance, benefits administration, and employee engagement. Her work is centered on creating a supportive, approachable workplace culture where employees feel respected and valued.
Before joining UAM, Sarai served as an HR Generalist at GRT Rubber Manufacturing Company, where she provided full-cycle HR support for a high-volume manufacturing workforce, including hourly and union employees. She partnered with union representatives on collective bargaining agreement matters, managed employee relations cases, supported payroll and benefits administration, and contributed to workplace safety and compliance initiatives. Earlier in her career, she worked as an Office Administrator at Maxxsouth Broadband, where she gained experience in onboarding, recruiting support, employee records, benefits, and administrative operations.
Sarai earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in American/U.S. Law, Legal Studies, and Jurisprudence from the University of Mississippi and is pursuing her SHRM certification. She credits her professional growth to her faith, her mother's example of perseverance and commitment to education, and the guidance of mentors who encouraged her to explore opportunities in human resources. Sarai values respect, clear boundaries, continuous learning, and maintaining an open mind to new opportunities, principles that continue to guide her career and her approach to supporting employees.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarai
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God and my mother. She raised four children as a single parent, worked long hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., always did homework with us, pushed us to be our best, and continues to encourage me even after marriage and college to keep learning and achieving more.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor Heidi Joy Carnegie shaped me right after college by encouraging me to explore fields beyond office administrator, opening my mind to many opportunities including HR.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find a mentor you can grab onto, keep your options and mind open to any opportunity, don't close those doors, and keep learning about other fields even if you're in one because you never know when you might change fields.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest challenge was trying to change a toxic culture in a previous company where management was micromanaging and unwilling to compromise, which affected me mentally and led me to leave.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Putting God at the center of everything, treating everyone the same with respect because you never know when that person will be your boss and no one forgets how you were treated badly, and setting boundaries of respect from the beginning.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.