Holguin Out for a Hero

Karen Holguin is the Human Resources coordinator with the Financial and Administrative Services team in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. Originally from Mexico City, the enthusiastic traveler has called Austin home for the past year.

How long have you been at UT Austin? Have you ever worked in any other schools/departments?

I’ve been working here for 15 months. Prior to my current position I worked in the same office with the OVPR Chief of Staff team. I was an administrative associate. In this role I oversaw the daily operations of OVPR: greeting visitors, answering calls, scheduling conference rooms, maintaining office equipment and purchasing inventory etc. Things like that.

Before I joined UT, I worked in Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology in the Student Academic Services department.

As a Human Resource Coordinator for OVPR, what does your role entail?

I support the OVPR portfolio by submitting Workday transactions, including creating and editing job requisitions, hiring business processes, managing the life cycle of student employment and contract worker HR processes, serving as a timekeeper. I also prepare and send weekly and monthly HR communications, keep organizational charts updated, and much more.

What’s it like working with the Financial and Administrative Services team at OVPR?

It has been an incredible experience for me. I have learned so much from each and every person on the team. Every day, I am inspired by the dedication and expertise of my colleagues. They are not only knowledgeable but also a lot of fun to work with. The team's collaborative spirit and willingness to assist each other is truly remarkable.

Are you a Texan native? How long have you lived in Austin?

I am from Mexico City. I originally moved to Austin because my husband got a job here. That was the same reason why I ended up in Oklahoma.

What do you like most about Texas? And what do you miss most about home?

I really enjoy the vibe in Austin and all the different options for going out. It's always fun to discover new places. I also appreciate the beautiful trees and how they change with the seasons.

I do love it here, but I miss home. So many of my friends and family are all over Mexico City. And I miss the gatherings with them. Every week we had plans to get together for dinner, birthday parties or even just to go to the movies. Sometimes we spent our weekends in a place called Valle de Bravo, also known as Pueblo Magico (Magic Town). It’s a small town outside Mexico City and we are lucky enough to own a cabin there where we can look out onto a big lake and beautiful mountains. 

What do you like doing in your free time?

I love to travel. I get a lot of satisfaction from exploring new cities, towns, and beaches, and immersing myself in different cultures. I also love spending time at the gym. My favorite class is Zumba. I enjoy outdoor activities with my son, my two fur babies and my husband.

Where is your favorite place on earth?

It’s difficult to choose just one place because everywhere new I visit has its own special meaning and beauty for me. So really my favorite place on earth is wherever I am traveling to with my family, discovering new places and making memories.

The title of this profile is a play on the name of the song, "Holding Out For A Hero," written by Bonnie Tyler in 1984. Tyler wrote it for the soundtrack to the movie Footloose.