Jan
Human Resources Manager
Las Vegas, NV
Coming from an impoverished family where college was not affordable, Jan once thought working as a waitress to support three children was her only option. Even dreaming of a professional career seemed beyond her reach. Her possibilities began to improve, however, when she was hired as a Recruiting Clerk by URS in October 1987. Jan sensed that this was a company where aspirations could become a reality.
URS embodied the elements Jan valued in a job: challenge, interesting work, opportunity for growth, good benefits, talented people and a commitment to ethics and quality. Over time, Jan came to learn more about the Company’s exciting history—not only its role in our nation’s defense, but its contributions to biomedical research and to eliminating the threat of chemical weapons.
Recruiting turned out to be a job Jan loved. Her responsibilities grew each year, resulting in several promotions. Professional success and management support provided her with the confidence to dream. Earning a college degree and one day becoming a Company recruiter began to emerge as realistic possibilities. In 1991, with financial support from the Company’s Employee Education and Training Assistance Program, Jan began taking college courses in the evening, with a goal towards attaining an Associate’s Degree.
Promoted to Human Resources Generalist in 1999, Jan became the Company’s Equal Opportunity Employment Officer. The relationships she forged with employees and management while in Recruiting facilitated her success in this position.
Jan was eventually awarded a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Business Administration and Management, graduating with high honors. Shortly afterwards, she was again promoted. In her new position, Jan had the opportunity to become immersed in all facets of Human Resources, which provided the requisite experience to test for and achieve a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification. Her dream of becoming a Company recruiter was close to becoming reality. Jan says, “My career and educational goals might still just be dreams without the opportunities and support URS provided.”
Then something unexpected happened. One of the Human Resources Managers gave notice of his retirement, and suggested Jan interview for the position. After 17 years, Jan had surpassed her original goal of being a recruiter with an Associate’s Degree, and found herself with a Bachelor’s Degree, poised to interview for a position in management. On April 3, 2005, Jan was named the new Human Resources Manager for URS’ Installations Management Strategic Business Unit.
Jan observes, “Looking back on the young lady waiting tables in a truck stop restaurant, whose career possibilities were limited, I realize how fortunate I am to have found a company that demands excellence, provides opportunity and encouraged me to reach beyond my expectations. When I am traveling and see the URS logo on a building or airport scanner, or read about the first tests at Los Alamos or the Nevada Test Site, I am reminded of the Company’s amazing legacy and feel a deep sense of pride in being a part of it.”