Southeast HR Major Christina Bouapha Interns at TG Missouri

Harrison College of Business; Human Resource Management

Southeast Missouri State University human resource management major Christina Bouapha is interning with TG Missouri in Perryville, Mo.

TG Missouri assembles safety system and interior/exterior parts for various auto manufacturers, mainly Toyota. Christina assists the company’s human resources (HR) manager with new hire orientation, implementing corrective action policies, and maintaining personnel files, among other responsibilities.

“There is never a dull moment in our department. The best part about working for TG is that I am given the opportunity to do so many hands-on projects. Rather than just being handed tasks, I am asked to come up with projects that require my own personal creativity,” she said.

Her internship at TG is not her first. Last summer she worked for Announce Media, a fast-paced, growing Internet company that specializes in cross-vertical and performance-based social media.

“I really enjoyed every day I worked there. What made it so enjoyable was the atmosphere and culture of the organization. It is a place I aspire to work for one day,” she said.

Christina will graduate in the spring and is currently looking for a full-time position in human resources. She said her time at the University has helped her grow and prepare for a successful career.

“Southeast has taught me to become more independent over time. The Harrison College of Business has set me up with a variety of business basics that I can use towards any future business career,” she said.

Christina is further cultivating skills that will be useful for her career by participating in extracurricular activities on campus. As the HR Redhawks’ vice president for merit and marketing, she is responsible for promoting important upcoming community events the organization hosts and ensuring each year that the organization meets each of about 75 objectives to meet the requirements for a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Merit Award, which recognizes student chapters for outstanding activities and programs.

“One of the major benefits to being a member of the HR Redhawks is that we are an affiliate of SHRM. This is something that keeps us in touch with current HR strategies and something we will all take with us in our future careers,” she said.

Christina is also involved with the International Business Club, which is new to Southeast this year.

“Our goal is to help create greater awareness and diversity throughout the University. We meet every other week to discuss participating in international competitions, to work on community projects and to share our abroad experiences with one another,” she said.

Another opportunity Christina has taken advantage of is the University’s travel abroad programs, something she encourages other students to do as well.

“I just got back from spending two weeks in Italy through the business program. During the time we were there, we saw just about everything fascinating about the country,” she said.

Originally from of Richland, Wash., Christina moved to St. Louis when she was 10 years old. On nice days, she and her friends hang out by the river and eat ice cream from Port Cape Girardeau. Also in her spare time, Christina enjoys arts and crafts and has recently started using Pinterest. Some of her favorite moments from her time at Southeast occurred during her freshman year, when she lived on campus.

“I just remember being so carefree and always finding new things to do,” she said. “I am very happy that I chose to come to Southeast. I couldn’t have pictured myself at another university these past four years.”