b'BALANCING ACTWhile working full time in HR, Lydia also completed her academic courses online and worked three to four evenings a week at a local greenhouse and farm market.Its been intense, she admitted. But I wasnt going to let anything get me overwhelmed.Her strategy? Make the weekends count, stay focused, and keep moving forward. Her dedication paid offliterally. Through careful planning and nonstop effort, Lydia was able to pay off her entire college education by graduation.FINDING HER PATH AT HEIDELBERGThough shes now firmly planted in HR, Lydia didnt start GRADUATING SENIOR LYDIA RIDNERthere.FINDS HR FUTURE EARLY AND JUMPSI came in as a biology major, she said, laughing. But I wanted lots of career options, and I didnt want math, so RIGHT IN finance and accounting were out. As she approached her December graduation, HeidelbergDuring her sophomore year, she took her first HR class with senior Lydia Ridner was already doing what many collegeLisa and immediately felt at home. I fell in love with that students dream of: thriving in a full-time position in herpath and decided to pursue it. Small class sizes helped her chosen field. A Business Administration major with athrive.concentration in Human Resources, Lydia wrapped up her undergraduate years while already serving as Coordinator ofOne class last semester had only four students. It felt like Talent Development at local company, Arnold Machine. the real worldno worksheets, but projects that applied to And if that sounds impressive, just wait until you hear thethe job I wanted. Thats what I enjoyed most.rest. She credits Heidelbergs faculty for shaping her confidence. A CHANCE OPPORTUNITY AND THE SPARK THAT STARTED IT ALL This opportunity never would have been possible without Heidelberg and Dr. Piasecki. Ive been very lucky to learn In January 2025, Dr. Lisa Kahle-Piasecki, associatefrom her.professor of Business Administration, shared a part-time HR opportunity with her class. Lydia didnt hesitate. GROWING FAST, GROWING PEOPLEI decided to go for it, even if it was just to get interviewingLydias work at Arnold Machine began with essential HR experience, she said. support: managing employee files, recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, compliance, and reporting. But her role Arnold Machines HR Director, Sarah Woessner,quickly expanded.immediately saw Lydias potential. She offered her the co-opNow, she focuses on talent developmentsupporting position on the spotand assured her she would have a full- employee growth through training programs, skill time role after graduation. development initiatives, performance processes, and Lydia started in February. By July, she was asked to join thecompany-wide learning.HR team full time. I was super excited to hear that, sheThis people-centered work fits her perfectly.said. They essentially created a talent development position for me. Today, Lydia is one of three HR professionalsIm definitely a people person. What I love most is supporting a company of about 70 employeesand shesinteracting directly with employees, especially when it already a central part of the departments momentum. involves helping them understand processes, listening, and leading them to solutions.Fall 2025 www.heidelberg.edu/school-of-business 6'