My Professional Journey: From Finance to HR Excellence

1. Educational and Work Experience

Educational Foundation

My academic journey began at Colorado State University, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Finance. This foundation in finance provided me with analytical skills and business acumen that would prove invaluable throughout my career especially as I grew into the Lead Finance Recruiter for Microsoft. I later pursued an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business, which expanded my strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. Currently, I am enrolled in Tulane University Law School's Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) program in Employment Law, and expected to graduate in May 2026.

Professional Evolution

I began in the financial services sector as at Charles Schwab, where I held Series 7 and Series 63 licenses. This role taught me the importance of risk assessment, client relationships, and regulatory compliance.

Transitioning into operations, I served as a Vendor and Contracts Manager at Oppenheimer Funds , where I led contract negotiations for the Computer Technology Department and managed both mid-level and top-tier projects. This experience honed my negotiation skills and introduced me to the complexities of corporate legal frameworks.

My pivot into human resources began at Vectra Bank Colorado where I served as Sr. Recruiter for over five years. This role solidified my passion for talent acquisition and people strategy.

The next phase of my career took me to The Walt Disney Company, where I spent 14 years in various recruiting capacities. As a Corporate Recruiter specializing in Legal, Risk Management, HR4HR, and Communications, I was responsible for senior-level corporate recruitment across Disney's domestic business segments, including Disney/ABC Television Group, ESPN, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, and The Walt Disney Studios. I also served as Manager on Duty for College Recruiting, managing daily interview operations and leading a remote team of over 60 cast members for Disney's college internship program.

Currently, I serve as the Finance Senior Corporate Recruiter at Microsoft, where I lead recruitment for critical corporate functions including Office of the CFO, M&A (MAVS), Corporate Development, Global Workplace Solutions (GWS), Treasury and Financial Services (GTFS), Corporate Accounting, Legal, Tax, and Trade. In this role, I develop comprehensive hiring strategies for complex, high-level searches while enhancing candidate experiences and leading vendor recruitment teams.

2. My Journey to the MJ Program: Bridging Knowledge Gaps for Professional Excellence

Why Employment Law? After over two decades in recruiting and human resources, I've come to realize that knowledge is power; especially in the complex world of employment law.

Throughout my career journey from Charles Schwab to the Walt Disney Company to Microsoft, I've consistently worked at the intersection of talent acquisition and legal compliance. Every day, I navigate recruitment decisions that touch on employment regulations, from interview processes to offer negotiations to onboarding procedures. While I've gained practical experience, I recognized significant gaps in my formal employment law knowledge that could enhance my effectiveness and career trajectory and therefore, why I enrolled in Tulane’s MJ program.

This degree represents an investment in becoming a more strategic, knowledgeable, and effective HR professional. In my current role at Microsoft, having formal employment law education will enable me to:

• Provide more strategic guidance to business leaders

• Navigate complex compliance issues with confidence

• Enhance risk mitigation in talent acquisition processes

• Bridge the gap between legal requirements and business needs

  
  

Personal Branding Through Continuous Learning

This journey reflects my commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. Just as I evolved from finance to HR leadership, pursuing the MJ degree demonstrates my dedication to mastering every aspect of my field. It's about being proactive rather than reactive and anticipating the knowledge I need to excel in an increasingly regulated business environment.

The combination of my extensive practical experience and formal legal education will position me uniquely in the HR field. I'm not just recruiting talent; I'm building compliant, strategic talent acquisition processes that protect both candidates and organizations.

What's next? Continuing to grow as an HR leader who understands both the human and legal sides of employment, creating better experiences for candidates and stronger foundations for businesses, including Microsoft.

Creative Commons License

Title: My Professional Journey: From Finance to Talent Acquisition ExcellenceAuthor: Jamie OliverDate: September 5, 2025

This work is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal

Image Credits: All photos would be mine or with rights to use.