When I look back at where I started and where I am now…it really is mind-boggling. Even though I had worked in customer service for so long, I knew that it wasn’t something I wanted to settle into for the rest of my career. I always knew that I wanted to do more. So I went back to school and took HR. It turns out that this was the right move for me, because working in this field is something that I thoroughly enjoy.
I have never learned more than I have in my current role as a policy consultant. I’ve learned about government legislation, various leaves and how they are administered (maternity leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, etc.), and how to confidentially respond to questions when asked. It’s so rewarding to have another HR professional come to you for help and actually be able to provide them with the answers they’re looking for.
After spending just under two years in this role, I got a promotion! I applied to another HR Consultant role that deals with HR escalations, and I was given an offer within a few weeks. This role will really give me the ability to flex my policy muscles and really make a difference. It will also give me the opportunity to investigate and learn about various HR issues that come up, including payroll issues, benefits issues, etc. I truly believe that this role will put me on the right path to becoming a well-rounded HR Professional. The knowledge that I bring to the role will be beneficial, as we are a small but mighty team of three (plus my manager). My two direct colleagues do not have an HR background, so I think that my input will have a great impact on this role.
When I got the call from my future manager telling me that I was the successful candidate, I almost fell off of my chair. Within seconds, my mind went to a thousand places. I thought about where I’ve been, where I am, and what the future holds.
I still have a slight bit of imposter syndrome and wonder if I’ll be able to meet the expectations of this role. What I do know is that I’m resourceful, I enjoy process improvement, and I’m absolutely up for the challenge.