By Carol Semrad, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Principal, C. Semrad & Associates
Chicago SHRM Treasurer, Past President
In this age of electronic communication, I was struck to realize the difference a piece of paper could make when I heard the story of Ulises Ivan Sanchez, the DePaul School for New Learning (SNL) graduation speaker and Chicago SHRM member.
Uli came to America to join his mother when he was only three years old. His mother was undocumented – which meant Uli was, too.
His first day of school was both exciting and terrifying, as Uli was told if anyone asked him, he had documentation papers. He was never to tell anyone he didn’t or he might never see his mother again. Quite a burden for a seven year old!
In high school when most students begin to plan for their future, Uli focused on the challenge of how to get a driver’s permit without a social security number. The permit was required to take driver’s education, a high school graduation requirement in Illinois. Luckily, the Department of Motor Vehicles agent was not paying attention when Uli substituted his tax identification number (TIN) instead. Uli had a TIN because he was working the night shift in a factory to earn some money to save for college and help his single mother. But if he wanted to get into college, he would need that piece of paper and the 9-digit number.
The closer he got to 17, the more he worried about being deported. He did not grow up in Mexico, could not write Spanish and knew if he was deported, he could not earn a living in Mexico. He also did not want to be an undocumented worker living in America.
He skirted the issue for a bit longer, even taking a few college classes while still in high school. Then, a piece of paper changed everything.
His mother remarried and Uli was issued a green card. He started the naturalization process and even graduated from high school six months early. He enlisted in the Marines to “earn his place in his adopted country” and build a career. The Marines gave him strong HR experience as he managed a payroll of $57 million, led change management initiatives, and developed junior Marines.
But transitioning to civilian life meant he needed another type of paper. It wasn’t until he earned his SPHR certification that employers began taking interest in his job applications. As Uli says, this was when “people started to take me seriously.”
Uli is now an active Chicago SHRM member, appreciating the gender and cultural diversity of his new colleagues. In fact, it was when he met Gregory Tall at a Chicago SHRM “HR Emerging Leaders” event that he learned of the partnership with DePaul’s School for New Learning. Uli began his college studies, thrilled to discover that his SPHR certification was credited toward his degree, shaving off a whole year of time and tuition. Again, what a difference a piece of paper can make!
Uli graduated with stellar grades and was honored when chosen as the student graduation speaker.
He has already begun to secure his SHRM-SCP certification, and a Master’s degree, hoping these new pieces of a paper will aid him in his career.
Please join me to hear more about Uli’s story at the Chicago SHRM conference on October 29th. Click here to register http://www.chicagoshrm.org/events/event_list.asp
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