Photo Courtesy of The Select Group
Today we talk to The Select Group, a company founded by a former UAH hockey player who has been investing in UAH for several years now. His journey started as a UAH hockey player, and now has moved into owning a multimillion dollar company. We got the opportunity to chat with Casey Siega-Riz, who works as their Campus Relations Manager. She shares some of the things that have helped her in her journey as an employer and what The Select Group is looking for in potential employers.
1.What company do you work for, what's your title, and how long have you worked there?
The Select Group as Campus Relations Manager for 6.5 years.
2. Could you tell us a little about your company?
The Select Group (TSG) was founded in 1999 by UAH Alum, Sheldon Wolitski, and is headquartered in Raleigh, NC. TSG offers workplace solutions for connecting top companies with IT resources; managed services, direct placement, and contingent staffing. TSG is one of the fastest growing technical services firms in the nation; 2018 marked TSG’s 12th consecutive year to rank in the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Company list. In the past five years, we’ve grown more than 236% with a 40% year-over-year growth rate. TSG has earned Best of Staffing awards for the past five years. We’ve been on Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) Fastest-growing Staffing Firms list for the last six years; recently earning a spot on SIA’s Largest Staffing Firms list two years in a row.
3. What made you choose this company?
I was looking for a company with a great opportunity for growth, and amazing company culture. I found both at TSG; I get to come to work everyday with people that are like a family to me. I have had the opportunity to move up in the company and see a level of financial success. I come to work and I am challenged, but also supported by a great leadership team. I’ve gained not only professional experience, but have also been given the opportunity to work with a personal coach, and be a cohort in our Women In Business Program. In the almost 7 years I have worked at TSG we have opened 8 new branches, and tripled our number of employees.
4. What kinds of daily responsibilities do you have?
As the Campus Relations Manager I am in charge of our university recruiting program to support our 12 branch locations. I work with my team of Talent Acquisition Managers to find and hire candidates from college campuses nationwide. My main responsibilities are developing and maintaining relationships with campus representatives, attending career events on campus, connecting with student organizations, delivering class presentations, and interviewing students on-campus.
5. What is your work atmosphere like?
So much fun. The Select Group prides itself on its High-Performance environment. We challenge each other to be our best, but support each other’s successes. Teambuilding is an important factor in all of our branches. My team has been to Wine & Design together, we’ve escaped an escape room, we try to do dinner at least once a month. Being a goals-driven environment, we also want people to feel rewarded. We have opportunities for weekly “wheel spins” if we hit our goals, and have the opportunity to win fun prizes, and perks like work-from-home or an hour of paid time off. We are also big on service, and every branch is involved in community support and philanthropy events. In Raleigh we have volunteered with the Miracle League, and at the Local Food Bank; we’ve also competed in local races for charity, and support UNC Children’s Hospital.
6. What is the best part of your work?
I love recruiting new people to join the TSG family. Working at TSG has been a fantastic opportunity for me, and I want others to know what the potential could be for them. There is nothing better than watching people I have had a hand in hiring get promoted, and grow at TSG.
7. What kinds of things do you look for in a resume when looking for employees?
We hire candidates from varied backgrounds but typically the consistent trends we see from candidates who get hired are sales internships, service industry jobs, customer facing roles, leadership roles in Greek Life, Philanthropy, Student clubs or organizations and student athletics.
8. What kinds of qualities are most attractive in a potential employee?
At TSG it is really about finding people with a high-level of resilience and grit, and who are high energy with tenacious can-do attitudes. Relationship building skills are key in this role, so we definitely target candidates who have extremely likable personalities, but also present themselves with strong integrity, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
9. How can students better engage with you and your company?
We are looking forward to attending the Career Fair on January 30th! UAH Alum, and Account Manager in our Huntsville office, Jeff Winchester, will be there representing TSG, alongside Taylor Kimber, another UAH alum and current TSG Intern, who will be joining us this summer after she completes her Master’s program. We are also have active postings on Handshake, and students can certainly reach out to me directly at casey@selectgroup.com
10. Do you have any inside advice on how to better secure a job with your company?
One of our core values at TSG is integrity, we recommend just being yourself along with being upfront about strengths, areas of improvement and discussing failures that you have learned from. We look for people who share our passion around self-development and working towards being the best version of ourselves in business and in life.
11. Do you have any overall advice for students, since you have been in their shoes, on how to pursue a professional career?
Use the resources you’re given on-campus. Attend career events, get to know your career center staff, and don’t be afraid to network (LinkedIn is a powerful tool, use it). Do you research, learn about industries and companies, and potential positions that you might be interested in. Be open and say yes to things, you never know what it could lead to.
A huge shout out to Casey (pictured second from left) for sharing so much information about an awesome company that has its roots at UAH. We are so incredibly proud and thankful for Sheldon Wolitski, and all that he has done. If you are interested in learning more about The Select Group, be sure to connect with Casey via email or on LinkedIn.
Are there any other employers you would like to hear more about? Be sure to shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram and we’ll be sure to reach out to them!
