Sheffield Family Photo featuring Joe Sheffield (far right), Aubrie Gwilliam (second from right), and Ellie Sheffield (third from left).
Aubrie Gwilliam, Joe Sheffield, and Ellie Sheffield are three siblings, each on a unique path of life. What do these paths have in common? All three worked as student employees for BYU Continuing Education. In fact, they worked in the same department—on the same team.
The oldest, Aubrie, began studying sociology at BYU in 2018. After returning home from her mission in December 2020, Aubrie made a decision that would profoundly impact not just her own life but those of her two younger siblings as well. “I was looking on Y Jobs and I remember seeing BYU CE HR and not really knowing what it meant,” Aubrie recalled. Although Aubrie initially aspired to a career in social work, she knew that there were ties between sociology and the skills utilized in HR. “I didn't necessarily think that I wanted a career in HR. But as I started working with it, I realized it can be cool and fun,” Aubrie shared.
In addition to landing a job that allowed her to put into practice what she was learning in her sociology classes, Aubrie found a welcoming and supportive community in her new role at BYU CE. “My supervisor, La Lammers, was amazing. She had such a big impact on my experience at BYU,” Aubrie reflected. “I really enjoy watching her solve problems, and I feel like I got to work pretty closely with her in doing that.”
In the summer of 2022, Aubrie’s brother Joe returned home from his mission and Aubrie encouraged him to apply with BYU CE HR. A few months later, brother and sister were working on the same team. Like Aubrie, Joe had a positive experience. “Aubrie told me that she has the coolest boss ever, and she was right!” Joe said. “I loved my coworkers, and I loved meeting new people.” Though Joe’s studies of economics would eventually lead him to pursue other employment, he and Aubrie enjoyed working together for about a year.
As Aubrie neared graduation in the winter of 2023, she began considering future options for employment. “I applied for a lot of different jobs, but I also knew that there was going to be a full-time position opening up on the [BYU CE HR] team,” Aubrie recounted. “I had a really good experience as a student, and I loved the people. . . . Knowing that I’d be able to continue working with them and building those relationships and growing personally and professionally convinced me to stay.” Aubrie has now been a member of the BYU CE HR full-time staff for over a year.
In the fall of 2024, another member of the family would join the ranks at BYU CE. Majoring in psychology, Ellie Sheffield was another BYU student looking for a job. “I was looking for a job and Aubrie was a full-time employee in HR. I knew my brother had also had the job so that made it appealing,” Ellie explained.
While Ellie plans to earn her master’s degree in social work and pursue a career outside of HR, she too has greatly benefitted from the experiences gained through her BYU CE employment. Ellie said the following of the atmosphere of learning and growth created by supervisor La Lammers: “La does a really good job making me feel like I can share concerns and be open and honest. . . . I think that’s what a successful learning environment is—people feel comfortable asking questions.”
The Sheffield siblings’ employment with BYU CE hasn’t only benefited them professionally but has also been a fun and unusual way for them to connect. “We’ve always been super close; we’re definitely really good friends,” Aubrie said, “But I have been so grateful for this job and the fact that we’ve all been here together. . . . It has given us another level to our relationship, and I think it’s cool that we’ve had these similar experiences in our time at BYU.” “It was really fun to see [my sisters] in a more professional setting,” Joe added, “I got to see their gifts manifest in their day-to-day work.”
Though BYU CE has had a great impact on the Sheffield family, BYU CE HR is also grateful for the contributions each sibling has made over the years. “I’m incredibly lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to have Aubrie, Joe, and Ellie work for me,” said La Lammers, BYU CE HR Lead and Operations Center Supervisor. “They all brought something unique to the table, making the workplace dynamic, fun, and full of energy. It’s been amazing to see how their personal relationships enhanced our professional workspace, and I’m grateful for the impact they’ve had in my life.”
Though each of these siblings has distinct goals, BYU Continuing Education has proved to be an important checkpoint in the personal and professional development of all three. Whether it’s three siblings working for the same team or the connections made with coworkers met on the job, BYU Continuing Education does truly feel more like a family than a corporation.