MEET MICHELLE THOMAS, SR. MANAGER, DIVERSITY RECRUITING

Michelle Thomas is the Senior Manager for Diversity Recruiting. In this role, she is responsible for managing the Sodexo Future Leaders Internship Program, executing Sodexo ’s diversity sourcing initiatives, and managing corporate recruitment efforts targeted at culturally diverse schools and associations.

Q. How did you get started in your career with the company?
A. I began my career with Sodexo in August 2001 as a Recruitment Manager. I was charged with recruiting external talent for our health care division in the Southeast. For three years, my job consisted of traveling throughout the Southeast, attending industry and college career fairs, and giving presentations to aspiring dietitians and food service managers about Sodexo and about the virtues of being professional while conducting an interview. In 2004, my job was outsourced to Spherion. After a year of working for this company, Sodexo brought the recruitment function back in house. Up until last month, when I was promoted into my current role, I was working as a Senior Recruiter in our health care division.

Q. What career advice do you have for college students?
A. I advise college students to take the time to discover what they truly want to do in life. The decision should not be based solely upon how much money they may make. They should also take into consideration what it is that they feel passionate about. Once they find their niche, the money will follow.

Q. Tell us about your background.
A. I was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and raised in Atlanta, GA, where I attended private school for twelve years. My first experience with a public institution came in 1990 when I attended the University of Georgia (UGA). During my tenure at UGA, I joined several organizations such as Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. I am still affiliated with both of these organizations. In addition to these affiliations, I also hold leadership positions in the Atlanta Urban League Young Professionals and the African-American Leadership Forum, which is one of Sodexo ’s five employee network groups.

Q. Why do you like working for Sodexo ?
A. Sodexo is an excellent company. Because Sodexo is such a large organization, there is a tremendous amount of room for growth and advancement. If you are talented, the company has programs in place that will teach you the skills you need to possess in order to succeed in your current or in your next position. I have been very fortunate in that throughout my career with Sodexo I have been asked to join several special projects which have given me exposure to different people at varying levels throughout the organization. This exposure and these experiences have been invaluable in my professional growth.