ASHLEY BURKE
Human Resources Specialist- Equal Employment Opportunity
Department of Administrative Services
Equal Employment Opportunity Center of Excellence
1. What do you do?
I am an HR Specialist for the DAS Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Center of Excellence. I provide equal employment opportunity services for DAS and in-scope State agencies which include: writing the Affirmative Action Plan, conducting discrimination and harassment investigations, and overseeing the recruitment and hiring process to ensure that it complies with affirmative action/equal employment opportunity goals and standards. I also provide career counseling to employees who are interested!
2. Why do you work for the State of Connecticut?
As a proud “Nutmegger,” I’m glad that I can contribute to the operations of our great state. It’s important to me that our workforce reflects the wonderful diversity of our state, and that staff feel included and equal in the workplace. Our state does a great job in creating units like ours to ensure this and I’m happy to be a part of it! I also work in this field on a personal note; Although I can pass as Caucasian/White, I am actually half-Black. This is a big reason why diversity is so important to me, as you never know someone’s true story until you talk to them. I believe I have a unique perspective because of this and have had a lot of interesting conversations with people after I tell them. I hope that by sharing I can begin to change the perception of race and skin color and expose the rich tapestry of how diversity can exemplified in our state and country.
3. What is your favorite part of your job?
Meeting and helping people! I’ve always been a people person and I love that I get to learn what people do. It gives me great purpose to feel like I am making a difference in the workplace lives of our staff.
4. What are some of your favorite activities outside of work?
When I’m not wrangling my one- and three-year-old, I love to go for walks, weight lift, read, cook, attend concerts, and shop. I love trying new restaurants that pop up in our area and attending all the fun community events in Hartford and surrounding areas!
5. Where is your favorite place that you have traveled?
Japan! I had the incredible privilege of visiting prior to the pandemic when flights weren’t too expensive. The culture, history, architecture, and art are all so interesting and it is surprisingly easy to get around the country with minimal understanding of Japanese… did I mention the food?!
6. What would you tell someone who is interested in working for the state?
Start exploring all the amazing options that our State has to offer and keep refreshing JobAps! There is such a range of options to choose from and there are constantly new positions opening up. The career pathways are endless and the benefits and work-life balance are great.
7. Where is your favorite place in Connecticut?
I’m partial to where I got married: Harkness State Park in Waterford, run by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection! The mansion there is beautiful and full of fascinating history, and there are so many places to walk and explore: like in the gardens, by the beach, or the various trails.
8. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be, and why?
Teleportation! I have family and friends all over the country and it would be amazing to visit them at the snap of a finger. Never mind how nice and easy it would be to visit Japan again or enjoy an afternoon on a beach in the Caribbean…
9. Who inspires you and why?
My husband Chris. He is a veteran of the US Army and I admire his selflessness and ability to sacrifice for our country. He’s a very driven individual, a problem-solver, open to learning, and tries his very best in everything he does: from the chaos of parenting, to home repair, to his career. I feel very lucky to have him as a life partner!
10. Tell us your favorite fun fact.
I sang Soprano from elementary school through college and even did a couple of years with the Hartford Chorale. Once my life with two young children starts to calm down (and I can catch up on sleep) I would love to return to singing again on a regular basis.
