Each month we feature one of our consultants and highlight their story to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at Smart HR. As always, if you’re looking for a flexible HR career that’s adaptable to wherever you are in your professional life, contact us today. Without further ado, please meet this month’s spotlight consultant, Melissa Dye.
Name: Melissa Dye
Years with Smart HR: Eight
Professional background in 1 sentence: Human resources professional with an M.A. in Human Resources Management, a B.A. in English and over 14 years of human resources generalist and consulting experience in federal government contracting, legal, trade association, and private sector environments.
Why did you make the move to Smart HR?
After starting a career in human resources and obtaining my M.A. in Human Resource Management, I got married, had twins and decided to embark on the hardest job of all, being a stay-at-home mom. Once our twins were in kindergarten, I decided to return to the workforce. Thinking the hardest part was behind me – making the decision to return to work – I quickly realized the prospect of finding a flexible job after being out of the workforce for seven years was more daunting. I knew I wanted to work in human resources and after about a two-month search, I went on my first interview for a consulting job with Smart HR.
5 years ago, did you think you’d be doing what you’re doing now?
Once I began working with Smart HR, it was such a good fit for me that I never looked back and am today where I thought I would be. I enjoy working with the same client for whom Smart HR hired me as their primary human resources contact. I also conduct human resources audits and handle projects for other clients ranging from a window installation company to a Montessori school. Never a dull moment!
What’s a typical day like for you?
My day starts with getting two teenagers out of bed, fed and to school on time. I either play tennis or take our dogs for a run each morning and then turn to my consulting work. I spend some days at client sites and others working in my home office. Because my husband, who is a lawyer, also spends much of his time working from home, we are able to eat together as a family every night, time for which I am grateful.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I enjoy resolving problems for my clients. Whether it is helping a client navigate the sometimes confusing legal landscape of employment law, drafting a communication delivering new employee benefit information or handling tricky employee relations issues, the work is rewarding and gives me a sense of accomplishment.
What about the Smart HR model really appeals to you?
Primarily the flexibility to spend time with my family while continuing to work in human resources. Because I control the number of hours I work, I am better able to achieve a work-life balance. Smart HR provides me the resources I need to successfully do my job, and Mark is always available to provide me with information or act as a sounding board as we talk through an issue. More than once, my friends, who are also working moms, have told me I have the perfect job.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself in college?
Take advantage of one of the many semester abroad programs available at my alma mater. As a college student in New Orleans, I think my priorities were misaligned.
