Getting to Know You: HR Consultant, Courtney Fitzpatrick

At Insource, our people are at the heart of everything we do – and sometimes, the best proof of that is when someone leaves and chooses to come back. In this edition of our recruitment series, meet Courtney Fitzpatrick, an HR Consultant whose Insource story spans more than a decade, a career break, and a return that her former boss predicted years before it happened.

Falling into HR

Courtney didn’t set out to work in HR. She studied sociology at university after a brief stint as an education major. “I’ve always loved helping people and talking to people – I just didn’t know exactly what that would look like,” she says. After college, she worked alongside her father until she found her footing, learning the basics of HR from a colleague there. “That’s when I started to think, this might be what I want to do.” As she’s since discovered, it’s a common path: “So much of HR is made up of people who studied sociology or psychology – some version of people.”

How it started

Courtney’s first connection to Insource came through a family friend, who introduced her to Saleha Walsh, then the Director of the HR practice (now Insource’s Chief Business Officer). The introduction led to an interview, and in 2013, Courtney joined as an HR Administrator – her first real job out of college. “I was just eager to have a real job and get involved in a field I was excited about,” she says.

A well-oiled machine, the second time around

Courtney spent five years at Insource before leaving for an in-house HR role, where she was the sole HR person for seven years. When she was ready to return to work after having her first child, Insource was the first place she thought of – and she went through the interview process again, this time already knowing many of the people involved.

“Their internal recruiting team was very thorough, and they made me feel like I wasn’t on an island,” she says. “The communication and reassurance were there at every stage – it was a well-oiled machine. There was no waiting around for responses. I felt like they really cared about me as a candidate.” Having known Insource’s internal recruiter, Tom, for years made the experience even more comfortable.

Coming back to a different company

What Courtney found on her return barely resembled the company she’d left. Insource had grown from around 60 people to over 200, and the entire team had shifted to fully remote work. “I was mind-blown,” she says. “It felt like starting somewhere completely new – I knew the people and the company, but the structure was totally different.” It was a rare bright spot from the pandemic years: while so many organizations were shrinking, Insource had grown.

Onboarding built for real life

There had been a less formal onboarding process during Courtney’s first stint at Insource – so the thorough, structured process she went through the second time around stood out immediately. Because she works part-time, her onboarding took two weeks, giving her time to meet the entire HR team and colleagues in finance and corporate. “By the end of it, I really felt like I belonged in the company,” she says. “I so appreciated that people – all busy – took time out of their days to meet me and answer my questions.”

Support that’s built in, not left to chance

That sense of support hasn’t faded. Courtney points to the effort Insource puts into staying connected across a remote team: bi-weekly HR drop-in calls where the team troubleshoots together, regular manager check-ins, and ongoing training opportunities. “The remote world has its challenges, but Insource makes an effort to stay connected,” she says. “It’s intentional – they make it easy for people who might not naturally reach out to still get the support they need.”

Growing at her own pace

Looking back across both stints, Courtney describes Insource as a company that “has always met me where I am” – personally and professionally. The first time around, she learned HR from the ground up and was promoted to consultant. This time, she returned to a part-time role that fit her life as a new mother, and she’s now in conversations with her manager about taking on more operational responsibility within the HR team. “I feel like they care quite a bit about people and their growth. When you’re ready for it, it’s there.”

What she’s proud of

For Courtney, the biggest win isn’t a single project – it’s the relationships. “I’m very proud that I found a role I enjoy, and that I have time for connections at work beyond the job itself,” she says. Trust, in particular, is central to how she measures success: “At the end of the day, clients are trusting you to advise them on some pretty big decisions. If you can build that trust, you’re many steps ahead.” She counts the relationships she’s built with her clients since returning among her proudest achievements.

Why she keeps saying yes to Insource

When Courtney first left Insource, her then-manager, Karynn, and Saleha both told her they thought she’d be back and she’d be welcomed. She laughs about it now: they were right. “It stuck with me – Insource is a company that offers flexibility and real opportunity. When I needed something flexible, Insource was the first thing I thought of.”

Asked if Insource is the right fit for her, the answer is immediate: “Absolutely. And I know that when the time comes, and I want to do more, there’ll be more opportunities. You don’t have to question that going in.”

Life outside work

Courtney and her family spend their summers in Maine and their winters skiing. With two young children at home, free time is precious, but she still makes room for cooking. Her favorite dish? Chicken piccata, courtesy of her husband.

Could Insource be the right fit for you?

Courtney’s advice to anyone considering Insource is simple: “Do it. It’s a company that values you as a human, whether you’re a parent or you’ve got hobbies outside of work you want to focus on. You’ll get the best of both worlds – you’ll be challenged, and you’ll learn.”

Interested in joining a team that combines professional growth with purpose? Explore career opportunities with Insource here.