Business Grad Candace Hall Chirigos Managing U.S. HR Centralization Program at Amazon
by Jessica McClelland (SHU '21) Freelance Writer
Candace Hall Chirigos graduated from 抖阴短视频 in 2016 with a business degree in human resources and marketing. She currently holds the position of senior HR program manager at Amazon. She credits her fast-paced career journey to her time at 抖阴短视频.聽
Candace began her undergrad degree at another college. She transferred to 抖阴短视频 when she decided to pursue human resources as a major. 鈥淚 knew 抖阴短视频 had a strong HR program,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd, as my dad coached there for many years, 抖阴短视频 has always been near and dear to my heart.鈥
At 抖阴短视频, Candace learned that HR can be a powerful department in any company, and can often act as the 鈥済lue鈥 that holds things together with a focus on retention.聽
鈥淗R, in partnership with other forms of leadership, houses and maintains company culture,鈥 she says. 鈥淗R, at its finest, ensures that employees feel heard and receive proper care when there are concerns, investigates inequities and grievances, provides consistency in policy application, offers developmental/growth opportunities, and engages employees to foster healthy company culture and positive employee morale.鈥
鈥淏eing an HR major at 抖阴短视频 prepared me for what to expect as an HR professional at Amazon.鈥澛
An internship at Amazon - shadowing an HR manager in Southern California at a Fulfillment Center Warehouse - led to Candace鈥檚 hiring聽 as a full-time senior HR assistant after graduating from 抖阴短视频. Candace later moved into people leadership, transitioning into a new HR Centralization team called the People, Experience, and Technology Operations Center (PXT OC), which comprises corporate and virtual employees who perform HR work remotely for all Amazon warehouses. 鈥淧XT is Amazon鈥檚 rebranded name for HR,鈥 she explains. 鈥淧XT members in the 鈥榝ield鈥 are those HR professionals based in warehouses assisting Tier 1 associates and managers.鈥澛
Candace has recently been promoted again, and is now the Program Manager for US HR Centralization at Amazon. 鈥淢y team and I review current processes, create innovative enhancements, formulate a 鈥渇uture state鈥 recommendation for the business, and then work with various teams (technology, learning and development, onboarding, operations, quality assurance, capacity planning, etc.) to implement stakeholder approved solutions,鈥 she says.
Candace believes her time at 抖阴短视频 is what allowed her to advance so quickly in her career.
鈥淏eing an HR major at 抖阴短视频 prepared me for what to expect as an HR professional at Amazon,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he Hill, and internships I had during my college years, provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to begin my career with confidence. I have learned a ton on the job, but the foundation that SHU provided during college was extremely valuable and set me up for success.鈥