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2. Try different clubs. I stuck to one organization for a good chunk of my university years, and while I loved it, one part of me always wondered what it would be like if I tried something new. Looking back, I think it would’ve been an awesome experience learning new things and making new friends had I branched out from BASS. One thing to note though - it’s easy to take on too many responsibilities so be wary of that or you might burn out. Olivia: Advice I would give my younger self is to not sweat the small stuff! I would stress over the smallest things and I wish I knew that everything will work out in the end and that everything will fall into place. For prospective HR students who are trying to gain experience in HR either through an internship, Co-op or club, my advice to you would be to work hard and never give up on your goal. My 1st co-op did not come easy! I had 10 unsuccessful interviews before I landed my co-op. So please don’t give up! Travia: Step out of your comfort zone; don’t be afraid to try, fail, and learn. I didn’t know how much I enjoyed and valued connecting with others until I tried taking on certain projects and talking to certain people. For anyone considering to go into HR, definitely be intentional about networking and building relationships, but also learn to be strategic about how you do so. After all, there is a reason why it is called Human Resources and the relational aspect of this job cannot be replaced by technology.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to tell our audience? Olivia: My final advice is to be open-minded and explore all areas of HR. HR is more than just recruitment. HR careers can also exist in compensation & benefits, payroll, training & development, performance management, labour relations, HRIS, people & culture, and health & safety. You might discover an area of HR you like more and choose to specialize in it, or you might enjoy all areas, and choose to be an HR Generalist! Whatever the case, I think HR management skills are important for everyone to have as it fosters better collaboration and communication, keeping your organization connected and engaged! Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin if you would like to chat more about HR! www.linkedin.com/in/ oliviakc Travia: HR is an industry in demand as employers now realize the value of having professionals communicate important messages within the organization, find and cultivate talent, and advise the organization about legal and social issues. How do world issues impact the business and its employees? How should the employer communicate to their employees about the decisions they make? COVID-19 is a great example of how HR plays this vital role in an organization. I don’t think you will ever be bored in HR, because it is an industry that is constantly changing and evolving!