Bill Shannon
Director of Human Resource Development
Auburn University
Auburn, AL USA
“The best teams always begin with a set of beliefs.”
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I never met my real father and was also an only child. I really only had my mother until my stepfather came and took the role of my father.
I went to school in a community of mostly minorities. Here, I was one of the only "white guys." Of course, this can be discouraging but I saw it as a gift that taught me to not stereotype others.
I have moved around a lot. Worked in multiple states, so I have met a lot of different people. Some not always the nicest.
Always moved or changed jobs because it was best for my family. Best places and schools for my sons.
Kept in mind my true calling—no matter the job title—that I am a teacher first and a builder of teams second.
My first book, A Great Organization Made Simply(c) shows the how behind what makes a great company, organization or team—that is, the best always begin with a set of beliefs.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Huntington Park High School
Huntington Park High School
Career
Director of Human Resource Development
I lead human resource departments (training employees, leading sports events, etc.)
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Sports
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
No day is the same but for the most part I work with groups of people, such as staff members. I train employees and manage performance management of professors. I also come up with new ideas of how to improve the atmosphere at sports events and make it the best possible.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Make sure to get a lot of experience in whatever it is you want to pursue. Do everything you can to educate yourself on what that career consists of to make sure it is what you are passionate about. Building a network is very important in creating a professional career.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Friends:
"My basketball teammates would find it weird that I always had a book in hand. They did not understand why I'd do so much to get good grades, as most college athletes focus more on their sports. This made me feel like an outsider."
Challenges I Overcame
Work Stress
Gangs / Violence
Q&A
Who were your role models growing up?
Asked by Ezrah at CSUFFirst, his parents were very hard-working and they both cared a lot for other people too. His coach at CSUF was also a role-model to him. (Bobby Dye) He was very good at motivating his team to be the best they could be.
What are some of your values?
Asked by Ezrah at CSUFFamily is always first. He always considers what is best for his family when taking on a new job. Education has always been his passion, he says he is a teacher at heart because he enjoys teaching others.
Interviewed By
Ezrah
at CSUF
