11/01

Intern of the Week – Michaela Chambers

Meet Michaela, an undergraduate student at Loyola University Maryland pursuing a career in Communications, specifically in Advertising and Public Relations. She is seeking an internship in the Baltimore area for the Summer of 2024.

Michaela has developed a great love for journalism after being involved in her university’s newspaper, the Greyhound. She has been on the staff for three years and was recently promoted to Sports Editor! She has highlighted Loyola’s Division I sports teams and has had the opportunity to write News, Arts, and Eats columns. This opportunity has allowed her to express her creativity and passion for writing in a diverse set of fields.

Her skillsets include customer service, leadership, problem-solving, project management, and teamwork. She has taken courses from Intro to Communication and Media Writing to Digital Tools and Multimedia Storytelling. The one class she enjoyed was in graphic design, where she gained experience in platforms such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Outside of writing for the Greyhound, she has advocated for creating change on campus. She has specifically strived to improve dining operations for students with food allergies. According to Michaela, she “has project management and leadership skills through forming the first food allergy awareness and advocacy program on Loyola University’s campus.” Through this initiative, she has had the opportunity to work as a team player by collaborating with students and administration for this cause.

While at Loyola, Michaela has been on the academic Dean’s List for several semesters and was recently invited into Delta Alpha Pi, an honor society that promotes advocacy for students with disabilities. Also, she was nominated to Omicron Delta Kappa, another society where she has been recognized for her leadership. Additionally, Michaela has participated in several service events and looks forward to continuing to support the community.

If you have an internship opportunity in the Baltimore area’s Advertising and Public Relations sector for next summer, we encourage you to contact Michaela at mbchambers@loyola.edu.

Click here to view Michaela’s Resume

10/26

Meet the Team – Michelle Childers

Meet Michelle Childers, Executive HR Consultant – Chesapeake HR Solutions™

Michelle grew up in upstate New York in a town known as Endwell, right outside of Binghamton. Since then, she has placed her roots with her family in Oella, Maryland, a town uniquely tucked between historic Ellicott City and Catonsville.

For the past three years, Michelle has worked primarily with clients on HR Leadership and Support and Project-Based Human Resources Consulting; she is currently part of our HR Consulting and Support Services team.

Michelle joined the CSP team during the COVID-19 pandemic after reconnecting with her colleague, Jason Nemoy. She shares, “he very quickly connected me with an interim HR Leadership role for a company in need. Three years later, it’s been a fantastic experience, and I’m excited about the array of clients I’m working with.” She thoroughly enjoys contributing to a wide range of projects and finds this to be the most fulfilling part of her career at CSP.

Looking ahead, she is excited to see one of her clients grow exponentially after identifying and onboarding their full-time HR Leadership. Working directly with her clients, Michelle is streamlining HR Processes with new HRIS Implementations and is interested in how she can leverage ChatGPT to support their work.

The unique part of her role is that she can assist smaller organizations that still have significant HR needs but may not need full-time HR support. “I offer my clients the opportunity to scale their HR appropriately. Whether it is ongoing fractional HR leadership, interim support during an HR leadership transition, or short-term projects, organizations don’t have to go without the right HR leadership when needed.”

In her free time, Michelle enjoys watching her 6th grader play soccer on her travel team and attends occasional King Arthur cooking and baking classes. After spending a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, it remains one of Michelle’s most cherished travel destinations. Lastly, she looks forward to spending Thanksgiving at Bethany Beach in its off-season!

10/18

From the Desk of Laura Reynolds – Mastering the Art of Hiring IT Professionals

By Laura Reynolds – Senior Search Consultant, Information Technology Practice

In the wake of substantial layoffs earlier this year, the IT job market has undeniably been a challenging terrain to navigate. Despite the headline-grabbing downsizing at tech giants, IT positions remain at the forefront of the labor market’s demand. These opportunities are no longer confined to corporate giants; they’re emerging in small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and government entities—all of which continue to require tech, data, and IT expertise to drive their growth.

Beyond the disquieting echoes of layoffs, another obstacle confronting the IT landscape is the emergence of the hybrid work model. Historically, many IT roles have thrived in remote settings, with employees rarely tethered to corporate offices like their counterparts in other departments. However, the recent shift towards a hybrid work environment has presented a new set of expectations for IT professionals, adding a layer of complexity to their roles.

So, how can companies adeptly navigate this ever-evolving landscape of recruiting and retaining IT talent?

Clarify Your IT Needs for the Present and Future

Between 2021 and 2031, the job market forecasts a remarkable 35% growth in cybersecurity analyst roles and a 25% surge in software developer positions—far exceeding the average 5% growth rate (as per The Bureau of Labor Statistics). Whether you’re seeking to implement a CRM system, enhance your HRIS, or safeguard your data against cyber threats during rapid expansion, it’s time to chart a strategic recruitment plan for IT roles like consultants, software engineers, developers, and data analysts.

Establish an Appropriate Compensation Range

Once you’ve pinpointed the tech roles you aim to fill, you must gain an in-depth understanding of the prevailing pay rates in your region. A seasoned IT recruiter can outline the market landscape, enabling you to define a competitive pay range for these positions. The outcome? You’ll not only attract top-tier talent but also retain them over the long haul.

Proactive Recruitment

In an era where fiscal prudence often makes companies cautious with their budgets, some opt not to post all available positions immediately. Instead, they’re waiting for the right candidate to emerge. 

However, in the realm of IT, a proactive approach is indispensable. Your recruitment team should continuously introduce you to exceptional, highly skilled candidates, even if there is no specific role posted at the moment. This proactive stance is vital as technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing reshape the industry, causing job descriptions to prioritize skills over degrees.

Craft a Role and Environment that Nurtures Success

To attract and retain IT professionals, it’s crucial to create an environment where they can thrive. It is crucial to recognize that many IT workers harbor reservations about returning to the office. Make sure to engage in a candid dialogue about their preferences and seek solutions that harmonize with your corporate culture. Think about flexibility in terms of work hours and locations because it will ultimately yield dividends in the long run.

Mastering the art of hiring IT professionals requires a strategic approach that aligns with the dynamic nature of the industry. By understanding your IT needs, offering competitive compensation, proactively recruiting, and fostering an accommodating work environment, your organization can navigate these uncharted waters with confidence and secure the tech talent necessary for sustained growth and innovation. 

 

Interested in learning more about how CSP can support your company’s IT hiring efforts?  Contact me directly at lreynolds@chesapeakesearchpartners.com.

9/28

Meet the Team – Kate Strzelczyk

Meet Kate Strzelczyk, Senior Search Consultant – Real Estate & Financial Services Practice at CSP.

Kate brings over two decades of experience building relationships, helping businesses thrive, and guiding professionals toward their goals. She is passionate about connecting talent with opportunity and shaping the future of organizations and careers.

As a Senior Search Consultant, Kate thrives in overcoming the daily challenges and enjoys the variety the role offers. “I embrace juggling multiple projects, problem-solving, and making meaningful connections. It’s the perfect mix that keeps me motivated, engaged, and constantly growing professionally.”

When asked why she chose to join CSP, Kate shared, “I admire CSP’s stellar reputation, strong organizational structure, and collaborative culture. Also, I believe my background in executive finance recruiting brings value to CSP’s RE&FS practice and will ultimately support continued growth within the organization.” 

Professionally, Kate finds great satisfaction in nurturing relationships with clients and candidates. She takes pride in understanding her clients’ businesses, learning about their successes and challenges, and helping them craft compelling job descriptions. For candidates, she focuses on understanding their goals and how the next step in their career can help them achieve those aspirations. Kate aims to become a trusted advisor in her professional relationships, a goal she finds immensely rewarding.

Hailing from Towson, Kate continues to reside in the area with her blended family of ten. With two teenagers in high school, weekends in the Strzelczyk household are a dynamic whirlwind of activity and togetherness. The Strzelczyk clan shares a deep-rooted affection for Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a favorite destination for family getaways. Their shared love for the outdoors transcends into various activities, including swimming, golf, tennis, and the family’s latest collective passion – pickleball.

Kate’s anticipation for the holiday season each year is palpable. She immerses herself in cherished traditions, such as stringing Christmas lights, decorating the tree, baking cookies, constructing intricate gingerbread houses, and watching classic Christmas movies together as a family. Beyond the holidays, Kate and her husband, Jeff, enjoy taking annual trips to Charleston and Naples, and their shared love for the Caribbean has created many treasured memories.

8/31

Meet the Team – Brett Fribush

Meet Brett Fribush, Summer Intern at CSP.

A native of Reisterstown, Brett recently wrapped up a productive internship with Chesapeake Search Partners, a journey he began in May. A rising senior at Towson University pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, Brett aspires to build a career in recruiting. He was excited to experience working at the firm his father, Rick Fribush, co-founded a decade ago.

“It was truly valuable to witness Brett’s initiation into the intricacies of the recruiting industry,” shared Rick. “Having been exposed to my professional discussions during table conversations as he grew up, it was gratifying for him to gain a firsthand understanding which significantly enhances our ability to engage in more informed discussions about my work and the broader business landscape.”

During his 15-week internship, Brett had the opportunity to engage with each of CSP’s six individual practices and contribute to the efforts of the marketing and operations team. According to Brett, “What I value the most about my internship was going into the office and tackling new challenges and tasks daily. Witnessing the recruiting practice unfold has inspired me to continue to pursue recruiting.”

Brett’s organizational skills proved a valuable asset for the company, especially regarding updating and maintaining the candidate database. Brett said, “This work has allowed me to support CSP with a variety of professional tasks any way they need while allowing me to improve my time management skills and leverage information and knowledge I’ve learned throughout my college career.”

“Notably, Brett, currently enrolled in Towson’s entrepreneurship program, demonstrated his ability to apply fundamental business principles to the realm of recruiting, prompting insightful inquiries into our operational methodologies,” added Rick Fribush.

Outside the professional realm, Brett enjoys playing golf, reading books, enjoying nature, and spending time with his friends. One day he hoped to travel to Hawaii to enjoy beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and volcanoes.

Brett is most looking forward to attending his sister’s wedding in September and his final year of college!