Berkeley College International Business Graduate Encourages Students to Take Initiative and Try New Things
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: Berkeley College alumna Jessica Blodgett graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business. She serves as Director of People, Culture, and Community for CMMB, an international nongovernmental organization that provides medical and development aid to developing communities.
Berkeley College alumna Jessica Blodgett encourages today’s college students to take initiative.
“When I was just starting out, with little experience, I always made sure to offer suggestions or see where I could help. This allowed me to try new things I would not have otherwise and work on projects I never thought I would,” said Blodgett, who serves as Director of People, Culture, and Community for CMMB, an international nongovernmental organization that provides medical and development aid to developing communities.
Blodgett graduated from Berkeley College in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business. She said the internships she held while a student set the course for her career in human resources.
“I started as a temporary seat filler, then slowly worked my way up,” said Blodgett, a resident of Perth Amboy, NJ. “I learned about the world of recruitment until I became a coordinator, then an HR recruiter, and eventually the Director of Human Resources – or the more modern term, Director of People, Culture, and Community.”
Blodgett also took advantage of Berkeley College’s 25-year tradition of excellence in online education, continuing her degree as an online student while launching a business in Colombia, where she holds dual citizenship.
“Taking a semester online allowed me to work abroad – before virtual learning was a more common thing,” Blodgett said. “I was able to learn about international business in Colombia and the nuances of business in another country. I have kept the entrepreneurial spirit with me even as I work for other organizations – staying curious, looking for new opportunities within my industry, and taking risks in my career have led me to where I am now.”
In her current position with CMMB, Blodgett leads strategic human resources initiatives. She recently redesigned the company’s recruitment and hiring processes and works closely with the executive team on priorities related to people planning and risk mitigation.
Blodgett is a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional and holds a Master of Science in Human Capital Analytics and Technology from New York University. She was recently named to the Emerging Professional Advisory Council for the Society for Human Resource Management for a two-year term.
In the future, Blodgett said she plans to continue her role as a thought leader in establishing best practices in the human resources industry.
She encouraged aspiring professionals to pursue their passions despite challenges, and quoted the song “Breathe” by Seinabo Sey: “When the going gets rough and life gets tough / Don’t forget to breathe.”
“Life is not as clear cut as we may have anticipated and it can be overwhelming,” Blodgett said. “But if we remember to just breathe in the chaos we can get through it all.”
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 3,600 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for 10 consecutive years. U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College (NJ) one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North in its 2023 edition of the Best Colleges Survey. Berkeley College (NJ) was recognized among the Best Colleges in the region for social mobility for three consecutive years. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
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