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Shartìss England
BS in Business
Class of 2012
Shartìss England (BS Business, '12) currently works in human resources at CASES – an organization whose mission is to increase public safety through innovative services that reduce crime and incarceration, improve behavioral health, promote recovery and rehabilitation, and create opportunities for success in the community.
We caught up with Shartìss to learn about her experience as a CUNY SPS student, life since graduation, her goals, and some of her favorite things outside the classroom.
Q: Why did you choose CUNY SPS?
I chose CUNY SPS because I previously left school to work so that I [could] help [my] mother with expenses after she was hurt at work. I was enrolled in an academic program at Brooklyn College.
Q: What most appealed to you about your CUNY SPS degree program?
The flexibility of the schedule and the course of study appealed to me. The flexibility allowed me to complete my degree online while continuing to work full-time. I was taking business courses and wanted to continue and complete my bachelor's degree. I was able to transfer all of my credits.
Q: How did you find your online "classroom" interaction with other students? With faculty?
I believe that I got the best experience in communicating with classmates. Group assignments required some adjustment at the start of the program, but soon after it became comfortable. It was easier, and using Blackboard along with the course helped me learn the course a lot better. I believe the group work was positive; quality feedback from faculty and peers.
My interactions with most of the faculty were good. They were responsive and more available than if I were in a physical school, worried about office hours.
Q: What were some of the most defining aspects of your time at CUNY SPS?
One of the most defining aspects from my time at CUNY SPS was toward the end of my last semester. I took a course where we focused on human resources. This is when I decided that I wanted to work in the field. I tried looking for internships with the help of Shannon Gallo, [manager of career services at CUNY SPS]. Although I did not obtain one in time, she did help me with my resume and I [had] a chance to speak with her regarding my future plans, which was very helpful.
Another defining aspect was the field research that I did for my science class. [We] had the opportunity to visit Pelham Bay Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. I got a chance to meet my professor and my classmates, as well as learn more about nature. It was great to interact with people who I’d been in contact with online throughout the current and previous semesters.
Q: What is the most important thing you learned at CUNY SPS?
The most important thing I learned at CUNY SPS is not to be afraid of challenges. I was initially worried that taking courses online would be difficult. Exposure to the field of human resources in class readings and discussions was also important. It helped focus my career interests and path. My internships in human resources led to my current position at CASES.
Q: How has your CUNY SPS degree influenced your career?
CUNY SPS coursework lead to [my] interest and career in human resources. I also obtained my master’s degree in human resource management after graduation.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to form relationships with the employees to help them out in any way that I can. They trust and allow me fix any issues or answer questions that they may have. I like to bring solutions to the employees.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would like to have a senior level position within human resources, such as a senior HR generalist, as that is the focus of my [professional] experience to date.
Outside the Classroom: Getting to Know More About Your Fellow Alumni
- Giants, Jets, Other, Don’t Care? Don’t care!
- Knicks, Nets, Other, Don’t Care? Knicks
- Yankees, Mets, other Don’t Care? Don’t care!
- Favorite & Least Subway Lines. Favorite: the N line. Least favorite: the F line.
- Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Both, Neither? Both.
- Biggie, Tupac, Both, Neither? Biggie
- Beatles, Rolling Stones, Both, Neither? Beatles
- Mariah, Nicki Minaj, both, neither? Mariah
- Favorite male vocal artist? Usher
- Favorite Female artist? Beyoncé.
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, All, None? Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
- Book or e-reader? Book.
- Favorite title or the most recent title you read? Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.