Meet Anna Olas!
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
Name: Anna Olas
Employer: Crystal Lake Park District
Position: Human Resource Manager
Educational Background: Northern Illinois University - Bachelor's of Science Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, National - Louis University - Master's of Sciences Human Resource Management and Development
How long a member of IPRA? 2 years
Why is IPRA membership important to you?
An IPRA membership is important to me because it has given me the opportunity to network with other human resource professionals in the park and recreation field. I have attended several seminars and the annual state conference. The annual IPRA/IAPD state conference has been instrumental in providing information to human resource professionals by offering conference sessions that are relevant to the everyday issues we encounter, legal updates and trends in human resources public sector. Human resources is a very broad field, and therefore it can be difficult at times to find relevant seminars and conferences that are specific to the public sector at a reasonable cost, and IPRA does provide those resources.
What's the best thing about working in the field of parks & recreation?
Working for the largest employer of teens and young adults in the Crystal Lake area; it is very rewarding to help develop and mentor these mostly first-time employees in the workforce. It is our responsibility from the start to foster what it means to be an ethical, moral and productive employee in the workforce. We instill the strong work ethic by making the jobs fun but also setting realistic goals and expectations for the future generations.
In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing parks & recreation?
As a human resource professional, it can be a challenge helping employees deal with balancing the daily stressors of family life and work. In the workforce today, there are discussions on how businesses need to motivate employees. I disagree; an employer is not responsible for motivating the employees, the employer is responsible for hiring and continuing to develop the motivated employees. I recently read an article that employers today will have up to four generations working for them. We currently have four generations working at the park district, and along with that comes the challenge of balancing the various generations’ work ethics, expectations and goals in the workplace.
What advice would you give a recent college graduate?
There are endless opportunities in the parks and recreation field. I am a perfect example, I created my position 10 years ago at the Crystal Lake Park District. Back then, I found that many park districts did not employ human resource professionals. Today, with the all the new laws and changes to current federal and state labor laws, human resource professionals are needed to ensure park districts are in compliance with the various laws, and hire and develop the most qualified candidates.
Tell us a little-known fact about you!
I LOVE to read. The places you can go, reading a book, are endless. My love for reading doesn’t start and end with personal enjoyment; I am one of those people who write, revise and actually read policy and procedure manuals.
What was your path to a career in Parks & Recreation?
After my son was born, I decided I did not want to commute to Chicago and work in corporate America anymore. While on maternity leave, I visited my old co-workers at the Crystal Lake Park District. (In college, I worked there for five years at the Administrative Office.) I was told that the District was considering at the time, hiring a part-time human resource professional. Well, that had my name written all over it. There is not a better place to work than in my hometown. I grew up going to the parks and enjoying all the amenities the park district offered. The rest is history.
What is your favorite parks & recreation program you’ve been a part of?
When I had time for myself, I enjoyed group fitness classes. My two children currently attend the summer day camp. They have had some of their best summers, especially this summer making new friends and enjoying all the fun activities the camp has to offer.
Whom do you admire, and why?
I have many people whom I admire. Those on the top of my list are family, friends and co-workers from whom I ask for help and advice. Famous individuals I admire are Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Theresa; it's cliché to some, but if you read their life stories and follow their words of wisdom, you will understand why I admire them both.
