Karen Crooker, Ph.D.

Associate Professor MOLN 349 2348 E-mail

Karen Crooker, Ph.D.

 

 

1. What is a typical day like in your field?

 

Usually HR is a 9-5 type job, but this varies if the organization has 2nd and 3rd shifts and when there are special events.

2. How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?

 

My undergraduate degree was in accounting, and while I enjoyed learning about it, I found doing it quickly very boring. Meanwhile as an auditor I learned that people were far more interesting, certainly less predictable.  

3. What jobs and experiences have led to  your present position?

 

I started teaching many many years ago at a small private college.  I found it sufficiently interesting so that I went to Indiana University to earn at PhD in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, and I have been in the UW system ever since.

4. What do you see as your priorities in the next five years?

 

Keeping curriculum current so the students are as prepared as possible for their careers, as well as resuscitating my research and writing.  

5. What do you enjoy doing most outside of teaching?

 

Hanging out with my furry kids, Smokey and Peaches and watching mysteries.  For example, I love Masterpiece Mystery on PBS and I enjoyed The Killing on AMC.  I also enjoy watching material with strong female characters.  The best series I have watched in ages is the Danish show Borgen about a woman who becomes Prime Minister.  

6. How do you best connect with your students?

 

Usually during one-on-one conversations, after a class or in the office.

7. Packers or Bears?

 

Packers.  Actually my preference would be the Milwaukee Admirals.

 

8. If  you could travel to any part of the world where would it be?

 

China.  About the only thing on my bucket list is to hold a panda cub.  I hope they are half as cuddly as they look.  

9. Favorite Movie?

 

It depends on the genre.  Children of a Lesser God and House of Games are a couple of favorites.