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Sejal Patel
Culture and community champion. Avid Traveler. Social, online and offline. Always hungry to learn, grow and eat.
Professional Background
Sejal Patel** is an accomplished professional in the Human Resources domain, blending a vast array of experience with a unique background that reflects her commitment to personal growth, community engagement, and the overall well-being of others. Currently serving as the People Operations Manager at CoderPad, Sejal's primary mission is to ensure her teammates are supported and empowered, embodying the ethos that a motivated workforce leads to success. Her journey has been dynamic, marked by significant milestones that include being the **HR Lead at a startup: in the transformative blockchain industry, which was ultimately acquired by CoinBase. This experience not only honed her HR skills but also enriched her understanding of the fast-paced tech landscape.
Sejal’s career path demonstrates a harmonious blend of creativity and strategic thinking. Taking a leap of faith in 2014, she left a stable corporate role to embrace the world around her, which led her to explore her passion for travel — something she refers to as 'f-unemployment'. This journey allowed her to serve as a flight attendant with Virgin America (later purchased by Alaska Airlines). She thrived in this position, transitioning into an Inflight Instructor role, where she excelled at teaching others while simultaneously nurturing her HR skills with a community support specialty role at PeriscopeTV.
Her HR journey has expanded through her time working with organizations like MSB Holdings Inc., where she not only recruited talent but also managed operations within the NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, a vibrant community of over 25,000 travelers of color and their allies. This position illustrated her dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the travel community, providing a safe space for meaningful connections and cultural exchange.
Education and Achievements
Sejal is a lifelong learner, having pursued studies at prestigious institutions. She has participated in the altMBA program aimed at fostering leadership and operational excellence. Her foundational education in Speech Communication was obtained from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and she also honed valuable skills while attending Havergal College. This academic background provides her with the communication and interpersonal skills essential for a successful career in HR and beyond.
Throughout her career, Sejal has held a variety of roles that showcase her adaptability and expertise, from Talent Acquisition Social Media Strategist at Intel to Human Resources intern positions at General Mills, Inc. and Caterpillar Inc. Each step in her journey has provided rich experiences and pivotal learning moments that she carries into her current role.
Notable Contributions
Sejal has been a trailblazer in multiple organizations, pushing boundaries, and redefining how HR functions in a modern context. As the People Operations Lead for CoderPad, she worked diligently to develop strategies that support employee engagement and productivity, raising the bar for what it means to create a fantastic workplace culture. Beyond traditional HR, her role intertwined elements of social media, community engagement, and innovative recruitment strategies, bringing a well-rounded perspective to the organization.
Moreover, her earlier role as a Talent Acquisition Social Media Strategist involved seamlessly blending community management and social media prowess to create an inviting environment for potential candidates. This initiative not only expanded the brand's online footprint but also humanized the recruitment process, essential in today's job market.
Sejal's commitment to community shines through her role at NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, where she has positively impacted thousands by fostering a supportive network among travelers of color. Her belief in the transformative power of travel and communication complements her professional skills, making her an advocate for diverse communities.
Personal Development and Future Focus
Currently, in May 2024, Sejal is taking a well-deserved break to focus on her mental and physical health. Recognizing the importance of self-care, she embodies the notion that well-being should precede productivity and is an inspiration to her peers in the industry. Sejal exemplifies the idea that taking time for personal development can yield greater professional success.
Final Thoughts
Sejal Patel is a vibrant force in the Human Resources field, combining her love for travel with her expertise in creating joyful work environments. Her willingness to adapt, learn, and grow is matched only by her passion for supporting others, making her a cherished leader and team member. Her journey is an inspiring testament to the impact of embracing personal passions and pursuing career fulfillment with purpose. As she continues to navigate her career, Sejal remains comm
Highlights
I'm quitting my job at CoderPad to take care of a loved one: me.
CoderPad entered my life when I wasn’t looking (I had just been laid off as part of an acquisition and was going to take a little break), but when I read the job posting, I was hooked. A product that made sense and that I believed in. A team where I could make an impact and difference as the first US People Team member. A company where I would work with people around the world (from the comfort and flexibility of my own home). Yes, yes, and yes! (And the opportunity to design and organize our first company offsite was the icing on the cake – and I REALLY like icing!)
I will always be a proud CoderPal and fondly remember my 2 years here. I believe time and energy are your most valuable resources and I'm grateful to have invested my time and energy into CoderPad and the team. But it’s time for me to take that break and take care of my mental and physical health, and to find someone great to pass the baton off to!
If you're in People Ops/HR (or know someone who is) - check out the People Operations Lead role we have posted. Details are in the JD but the highlights are:
- Remote role with great flexibility
- Great product that just makes sense (technical assessments in the recruiting space)
- Room for impact and growth - you report directly to the CEO and are a trusted advisor
- Great role for someone who thrives on autonomy, is a go-getter, and enjoys both executing and strategizing
- The team is smart, hard-working and really supportive
Today was my first day back in the office after being out for over a week on vacation, where I didn’t check my email or slack once. Not a single time. And I felt completely at ease coming back.
Why? How?
🤝 I trust my team. They have my number and know to use it if they need it, and knew I would not be checking email when I was gone. I got two texts while I was gone and was quickly able to respond and get back to my vacation in under 5m.
🗓 I included a day off after I got back as part of my time off. I wanted a day to rest, unpack, ease back into my life instead of jumping straight back into work. A future version of me would have used the day to get groceries, do laundry, and reset for the week. This version of me slept in, got a massage and caught up on some personal life things that were waiting for me.
🌴I’m embracing slow travel and built in relaxation into my vacation so I wouldn’t come back feeling exhausted and burnt out.
📧 I let people know what I was doing. (Which I don’t always and is up to individuals if they want to share, but this was a big trip for me and by sharing what I was doing on my Slack status and email, I continued the energy by posting a playlist and picture from my trip!)
