{"id":2542,"date":"2021-04-28T11:28:16","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T11:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/?p=2542"},"modified":"2023-02-14T16:33:43","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T16:33:43","slug":"from-cruise-ship-counselor-to-theme-park-hr-manager-gabe-bisers-shrm-certification-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/2021\/04\/28\/from-cruise-ship-counselor-to-theme-park-hr-manager-gabe-bisers-shrm-certification-story\/","title":{"rendered":"From Cruise Ship Counselor to Cruise Ship HR Manager: Gabe Biser\u2019s SHRM Certification Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2549 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header-.png\" alt=\"male filling out paperwork\" width=\"1280\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header-.png 1280w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--1024x360.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--768x270.png 768w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--580x204.png 580w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--610x214.png 610w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--250x88.png 250w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/header--600x211.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2543 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/Gabe-Biser-180x180-1.png\" alt=\"Gabe Biser headshot\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/Gabe-Biser-180x180-1.png 180w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/04\/Gabe-Biser-180x180-1-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When Gab<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">riel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Biser began working on a Disney cruise ship as a youth counselor, he never imagined that his path would lead him to become a SHRM-certified human resources professional. As he climbed the Disney ladder <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">from counselor<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">youth training coordinator<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">to HR\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">liaison<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, Disney offered\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gabe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0a position that would allow him to k<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">eep expanding<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0his HR e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">xpertise. After a few years at Disney, he<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0continued to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0gain<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0experience working in HR at theme parks such as California\u2019s Great America and Lake\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Winnepesaukah<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. While he is no longer in the theme park realm,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gabe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">use<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">his experience\u2014and SHRM knowledge\u2014<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">as the Onboard HR Manager for American Que<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">en Steamboat Company as well as<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0while<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0doing freelance\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">HR\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">work.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Marah: What experience caused you to develop an interest in HR?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gabe: When Disney offered me an HR position, I didn\u2019t understand how big the world of HR is. I had the major misconception that many have\u2014HR is the \u201cprincipal\u2019s office\u201d of the corporate world. Nothing sounded more horrible or boring to me at the time, but w<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hen I gave HR a chance, I ended up finding that I immensely enjoy the field.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M: What led you to pursue HR certification, specifically SHRM?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G: After working in theme parks, I took a job where I began diving into higher-level components of HR, such as strategy and development. As I began taking on mor<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">e leadership in my role, I wanted to get more formal training and be able to say that in addition to my work experience, I also have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">HR\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">education. I initially thought that I wanted to earn my SPHR, but\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I quickly discovered that SHRM was a better fit for me. T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">he SHRM certification has been gaining so much traction lately;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">many of my colleagues at other organizations have told me that there is a big push for SHRM certification <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">within their companies<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">My employer offered to send me to UTC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/new.utc.edu\/academic-affairs\/center-for-professional-education\/professional-development\/human-resources\/shrm-certification-exam-prep\">SHRM Certification Exam Prep course<\/a>, and I am glad they di<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">d!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M: In general, what is an aspect of the<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0SHRM Certification Exam Prep<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0course you enjoyed?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G: I enjoyed the networking aspect of the course. It was cool to see how everyone in the course was at different levels in their career. Some students were entry-level and then there were two<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0students<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0going for<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0their<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0SHRM-SCP (the higher<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">-level SHRM certification). You study together for several months and create beneficial relationships professionally and personally. I even grab dinner on occasion with some <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">of the other students<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">! I also liked that I was able to talk through challenges with my program-mates and gain\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">different\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">persp<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ectives. If I was struggling, I could ask them, \u201cWhat did you take away from this lesson? What d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">id<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0you think about this?\u201d which was helpful.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M: What is a course topic that you found particularly interesting or that you use\u00a0on a daily basis?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G: With my prior experience, I hadn\u2019t been in many scenarios where I dealt with labor unions. Hearing how others\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">handled<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0labor unions was invaluable<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">N<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ow, I have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">freelance clients that deal with\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">unions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0I am better equipped to help them. UTC\u2019s program is so well-rounded<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and it was nice to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">learn more about HR components I don\u2019t regularly manage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M: How did you create a study\/work\/life balance while in the\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">SHRM Certification Exam Prep<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">course?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G: I had a lot of support from my workplace. The other directors were involved throughout the process. They would even find random topics to quiz me on through te<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">xt message! They wanted certification to be one of my priorities, and it helped that I took the course in our off season. They even threw me a party when I earned my c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ertification!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The timing was completely right<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and allowed me to focus on the certification,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">which was key.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How did you prepare for the SHRM certification exam? What advice would you give someone who is currently preparing for the exam?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G: Use flash cards! You want to know the terms inside and out. I also found the practice exams on the portal to be super helpful\u2014in fact, the whole online portal was well-designed and a valuable tool. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In between class periods<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, I would review what we studied the week prior and then\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">look ahead to see what we would review in the next class. That way, if there was something I wasn\u2019t sure about, I knew I would be able to ask questions about the topic we were learning in the next period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">M: Is there anything you would like to share about your SHRM\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Certification Exam Prep\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">experience<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Again, the SHRM certification is gaining much traction<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">valuable for HR professionals to pursue. However, remember that a piece of paper means nothing if you don\u2019t have the knowledge to back it up. Immerse yourself in the content, hone\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">your skills, and earn that certificate!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1013 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com\/f00000000184993\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2020\/06\/bio.png?x99666\" alt=\"Marah Whitaker headshot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2020\/06\/bio.png 180w, https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2020\/06\/bio-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Marah Whitaker (think Laura with an M) serves as the marketing assistant for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, she spends time writing blog posts, creating content for social media, developing email campaigns, and building relationships with CPE\u2019s customer base. During her free time, you can find her getting lost in a good book, having spontaneous dance parties, playing piano, and going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wing Night. Professionally and personally, she aspires to live by Mr. Feeny\u2019s advice, \u201cDream. Believe. Try. Do Good.\u201d She strives to use her passions to serve others and contribute positively to the world around her.<\/p>\n<p>Connect with Marah on\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/marahwhitaker\">LinkedIn.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Gabriel Biser began working on a Disney cruise ship as a youth counselor, he never imagined that his path would lead him to become a SHRM-certified human resources professional. As he climbed the Disney ladder from counselor\u00a0to\u00a0youth training coordinator\u00a0to HR\u00a0liaison, Disney offered\u00a0Gabe\u00a0a position that would allow him to keep expanding\u00a0his HR expertise. After a&hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><span><a class=\"more-link button text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/2021\/04\/28\/from-cruise-ship-counselor-to-theme-park-hr-manager-gabe-bisers-shrm-certification-story\/\"><span>Continue Reading <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1540,"featured_media":2544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[921,110214],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2542","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-human-resources","8":"category-student-success-stories","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>From Cruise Ship Counselor to Cruise Ship HR Manager: Gabe Biser\u2019s SHRM Certification Story - UTC Center for Professional Education Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Cruise Ship Counselor to Cruise Ship HR Manager: Gabe Biser\u2019s SHRM Certification Story - UTC Center for Professional Education Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Gabriel Biser began working on a Disney cruise ship as a youth counselor, he never imagined that his path would lead him to become a SHRM-certified human resources professional. As he climbed the Disney ladder from counselor\u00a0to\u00a0youth training coordinator\u00a0to HR\u00a0liaison, Disney offered\u00a0Gabe\u00a0a position that would allow him to keep expanding\u00a0his HR expertise. 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