For over 13 years, I have had the privilege of conducting my 6-Week Evening Online HR Certification Bootcamp, helping HR professionals achieve their career goals, earn their credentials, and step into new opportunities. But beyond the certifications, beyond the exams, what truly fills my heart is the life-changing impact this program has on so many participants. With 30 years of experience in HR, I have seen firsthand how knowledge, preparation, and the right credentials can completely transform careers and open doors to new possibilities.
Today, I was reminded of why I do what I do. I had the most heartwarming conversation with Sarah, a former participant who joined my bootcamp four years ago under extraordinary circumstances. A fellow participant mentioned that Sarah had been unemployed for over a year, and without hesitation, I invited her to join the bootcamp complimentaryācovering her classes, materials, and exam fees. Sarah passed her PHR on her first attempt and soon after landed a role as an HR Generalist. The words she heard during her interview still resonate deeply: “I selected you because you had your PHR.” That certification opened doors, and today, Sarah is thriving in her HR career. But what touched me most was hearing her say, “Elga, I will always love you. You changed my life around for the better, and I will always be appreciative.” Those words brought tears to my eyes. Helping others, women helping women, is the purest form of empowermentālifting each other up to reach new heights.
To all of you starting or continuing your journey with me tonight, welcome to a bootcamp that is not just about passing an examābut about transforming careers and building a future filled with confidence and success. Whether this is your first certification or you are back to earn your second, third, or even fourth, know that you are surrounded by a community that supports you, believes in you, and is cheering you on every step of the way.
What I do is not for money but for the intrinsic reward of helping others succeed. If I didnāt have bills to pay, employees to support, office rent, utilities, and printing costs, I know I would do this for freeābecause there is no greater feeling than seeing someone grow, thrive, and achieve their dreams. This is my passion, my purpose, and my way of making a difference in the world.
And you know what? I want to continue working in HR for 20 more yearsāso that one day, I can proudly say, “I did it for 50 years!”Maybe, just maybe, Iāll even make it into the Guinness World Records as the first HR professional with 50 years of HR certification training under my belt! Now that would be a legacy worth celebrating!
Elga Lejarza
Founder & CEO
HRGreenHouse.org
