Alumni Spotlight: Emilia Eldridge

Tell us about your job responsibilities (day-to-day and/or projects)
What I love about my job is that it is different every day. I have had days where I am supporting
a department with restructuring their area or we are talking about the type of professional
development employees need. I have developed procedures, reports, and processes so that the
organization can be more efficient. HR plays a critical role in an organization’s long-term
success through strategic initiatives. The best HR days are when I get to call an applicant and
let them know they were selected for a position or when an employee gets a promotion. The
tough side of HR is being involved in conversations with employees about performance or
termination. Being an HR professional means supporting an organization’s people, culture, and
policies to drive business success, while ensuring a positive and compliant work environment.

Why did you choose to work for your company?
I am mission driven and I prefer to work for a company that aligns with my values. One of those
values is education so the University of Arizona is a perfect fit! As a first-generation college
student, I am so grateful for the opportunities I received from the U of A as both an
undergraduate and graduate student. I am proud to now work for the institution that helped me
get to where I am today.

What do you enjoy most about your job or company? 
The University of Arizona is one of the largest employers in Tucson, so it has resources and
benefits that many employers do not provide. I love the energy of our beautiful campus, and I
feel fortunate that I can provide support to a wide variety of departments. Each area has their
own unique culture and needs.
Some of my favorite departments to work with have been the following:

• Parking and Transportation Services (Yes, that is correct! This department has one of
  the best organizational cultures on Campus!)
• Office of General Council (The attorneys and staff members who work in this office are
  fantastic!)
• Campus Store (Leadership is dedicated to innovation and it is a great space that
  showcases U of A pride!)
• University of Arizona Police Department (They are passionate about campus safety so
  students can thrive. I enjoy their management meetings!)
•  Dean of Students (So many important services are managed by the Dean of Student’s
  Office. The staff members who are in leadership roles for these programs are down to
  earth and dedicated to the student experience.)

Please share what led you to your current job/company (past experiences, networking,
classes, multiple rounds of interviews, or anything you deem relevant)
I was recruited to Human Resources at a non-profit I used to work for because I was skilled at
Microsoft Access. I had not thought about HR as a career, but the Chief Operating Officer saw
my talent and invited me to apply to my first HR position, which was being an HR Information
Manager. I remember the HR Director said that the interview committee was impressed that I
had created a database, and they felt my creativity could be used in the HR department. There
are aspects about HR that are very data driven and the organization felt they could leverage my
skillset. When I started my HR position, I managed the HR information system, set up reports,
implemented an electronic onboarding process, and monitored requirements of employment. On
the personnel side, I was the HR liaison for 40 locations and supported managers with HR
audits and answered questions about HR processes. After 12 years of working for the non-
profit, I decided it was time for a change and a friend had recommended I apply to the University
of Arizona. The HR position that was open at the time was a Hiring & Employee Relations
Administrator with Parking and Transportation Services (PTS). I applied for the position and the
interview process happened quickly. After two rounds of interviews, I was selected for the role. I
have enjoyed working for the University of Arizona and I look forward to a long career in higher
education.

What advice do you have for Eller students seeking a similar career path? 
When it comes to HR, I would recommend joining an HR networking group. There are multiple
groups that have mentorship programs, professional development opportunities, and networking
events. Tucson is a small town so if you are curious about which companies have good work
environments, start going to HR networking events.

For those students who are not interested in HR, I would highly recommend that graduates of
Eller look for volunteer opportunities and should seriously consider joining a non-profit board. I
am the Board President for Tucson Young Professionals (TYP), and this leadership role has
afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with community leaders across different industries. I
have been invited to VIP parties, spoken with political leaders, and I have been part of important
community events where the future of Tucson is being discussed. Because of TYP, I was a 40
Under 40 Honoree in 2023 and most recently I was featured in BizTucson Magazine as a Next
Gen Leader. All of these amazing experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and
confidence. Who you are and what you contribute to society goes beyond your title and
workplace. Become an active member in making your community a better place to live, work,
and play.

Please share an Eller memory:  

When I think of Eller, I think of Miguel Silva who was one of my fellow classmates. We were in
the same cohort, we worked on multiple group projects together, and we even had the same
internship with Northwestern Mutual. During our internship in 2007 we were invited to the
company’s Winter Camp, which is an event held every year where the top 100 interns in the
country are flown to Northwestern Mutual’s headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for
professional development. It was freezing in Milwaukee, but we had a blast on the trip. After
Eller, Miguel went off to get his master’s degree in Manchester, England and we lost touch. I
was heartbroken to hear that in 2015 Miguel was in a tragic accident that took his life. I will
always cherish our time together in Eller and I still laugh to myself when I think about our college
adventures.