Karina Janette Fernandez has become the assistant director of human resources for the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU).

She holds a Master of Arts in human resources management from Webster University and has extensive experience, thanks in part to her work at a temp agency.

“It was like boot camp,” she said. “I learned about every aspect of the field—from recruitment to managing employees to serving employers.”

Holding positions in the private, non-profit and government sectors, and finding “each one different,” Fernandez mastered the skills to fulfill her current role of “maintaining a satisfied workforce in the areas of recruitment, compensation, employee satisfaction, employee relations, benefits and new employee orientation.”

But one of her two undergraduate degrees—she holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida—has made an important contribution, too.

“My degree in journalism helps me a lot,” she said, “because communication from someone in a human resources capacity has to be clear and precise.”

Since joining the college on November 7, 2011, Fernandez has found much to like.

“FIU is a very welcoming environment,” she said. “I enjoy the culture, the student-focused atmosphere and I appreciate the fact that everyone has been helpful and supportive.”