Human Resource Assistant

Brittany Moreland – 26
Human Resource Assistant
@ Stillwater Mining Company in Billings, MT

What is your educational background?
I earned a B.A. in Philosophy. I am also a Certified Master Gardener

Why did you become a HR person?
I love where I live and love working with people. We are very lucky that although there is a big mine just down the road the fishing, hunting, hiking and great outdoors isn’t compromised at all.

What are your job responsibilities?
Administer benefits, complete data entry, help with recruiting and new hires… mostly lots paperwork, but also a lot of interacting with our stellar employees.

What is the best part of your job?
By far the best part is working with our employees. We have such a diverse work force – from Engineers to Miners and every personality imaginable. Every day someone makes me laugh and I can usually look back on a difficult task and at least say I helped someone.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The biggest challenge is effecting change. This industry has a lot of history. Technology has influenced it in some ways but not others and, from an HR perspective, getting everyone on board with advancements is a slow process.

What is the best part of working in the mining industry?
These men and women really value good ol’ fashion hard work. I really respect the work ethic in this industry.

Any advice to students thinking of entering the industry?
Make your internships count and spend your summers working in several different fields – you’ll find that hard rock mining is the best.

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