Trailblazing Talent: Jerry Brito-Mendoza's Journey to HR Excellence

Jerry Brito-Mendoza ’25 recently accomplished something only one other UNO student has done before him. He became only the second UNO student to take on the daunting challenge of studying, sitting for, and passing the Society for Human Resource Management’s certification exam while still an undergraduate student. Not only that, but Brito-Mendoza was able to pass the test on his first try.

“The SHRM-CP (certified professional) designation is not easily achieved as only about 70% of test-takers succeed on their first attempt. The vast majority of test-takers are individuals already working in the HRM field with some years of experience. As a junior at UNO, Jerry is an exception, for sure!” said Dr. Patricia Meglich, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Management Professor at UNO CBA.

“The test is a way for employers to get an accurate picture of what employees know in the Human Resources field. As a student, I do not specifically need to have this certification, but I felt like it would give me a lead on my competition when I do graduate and search for a job,” Brito-Mendoza said.

The certification will come in handy this summer when he has an internship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. Other students have even been asking him about the process of studying for the exam, and for any tips and tricks he might have.

Brito-Mendoza is currently interested in working within talent development in the Human Resources field, and he has his brother to thank for that.

“My brother studied engineering here at UNO. He knew that I enjoyed helping others and being more of an advisor of sorts, so he introduced me to the concept of HR, specifically the talent development side, saying this could be a great fit for me because I enjoy helping others,” Brito-Mendoza said.

He has found ways to help others while he’s in college. Brito-Mendoza is the vice president of the Human Resources Association, a student HR organization, which focuses on networking students with HR professionals in businesses. They bring in speakers every month and host resume workshops to help students make connections. He is also a member of the CBA Scholars Academy and the Goodrich Scholarship Program and is the chair of recruitment in the Association of Latino American Students.

“My brother and I are first-generation college students. Our parents left Mexico with 2nd-grade and 5th-grade educations, but they always emphasized how important education is and made sure that we were able to focus on our education and use our brains. They have sacrificed so much for us,” he said.