Student Perspective: Building a thriving HR network as a student - Rebecca Ralph

During 2019/20, I have been the Wellington Student Ambassador for HRNZ, while in my third year at Victoria University of Wellington. It has been both rewarding and invaluable.

Two significant events truly affected my mindset around building and developing a trusting HR network. First, the 2019 HRNZ Conference and secondly, a networking event for both HR professionals and Victoria University students that I organised. Not only did these events build on applying my theoretical studies, but I was able to gain confidence in my ability to nurture strong networks within the HR industry.

I stumbled across the study of HRM in my introductory management class in my first year at Victoria University and was intrigued by it being ‘people oriented management’. Not knowing what I wanted to do career-wise at that stage, I explored the idea of studying HRM and found that I aligned well with being passionate about all things ‘employee experience’. I decided to switch my accounting major to an HRM major and haven’t looked back since. Everyone I have met thus far as an ambassador for HRNZ and in my own HR career journey is genuinely passionate about creating, developing and retaining positive employee experiences.

Throughout my studies and through networking events, I have developed areas of interests that include employee engagement, sustainable organisational growth and, most importantly, employee wellbeing. One main highlight of the HRNZ Conference was hearing Dr Elizabeth Berryman speak about the impacts of bullying, burnout and mental health in organisations. She anecdotally shared her experience with bullying in the medical health industry and has since gone on to champion mental health and wellbeing in the workplace with her app, https://www.chnnl.app/. This is an area that I am extremely passionate about and planning on building my career around. I believe a ‘mentally healthy organisation is a sustainable organisation’.

HRNZ has provided me, as a student, with a rich and passionate platform to connect with HR professionals through networking and events where informal conversations can lead to ongoing support and encouragement for both students and professionals. As I began to attend and involve myself in more HRNZ networking events, my misconception of it being intimidating quickly diminished. The HRNZ community fosters a collaborative and friendly environment where I felt comfortable to connect with a range of professionals as an entryway into my HR career.

Being a member of HRNZ as a student enables you to discuss topical conversations and attend events that are trending in HR, which encouraged me to think about HR beyond university and what this may look like for me. Being an HRNZ Student Ambassador has contributed significantly to the successful development of my career thus far. The skills and confidence I have learnt from creating lasting networks at events to organising my own networking event have enabled me to grow exponentially. Additionally, the connections I have made with the HRNZ Wellington branch committee are strong. I always enjoy it when we meet quarterly to plan our branch events and talk with one another offering general support. Through these opportunities, I have proactively connected with the wider HR Wellington community, and at the end of 2019 I obtained my first HR role as a people and talent coordinator at Raygun – a Wellington founded tech software company.

Altogether, the value of being an HRNZ Student Ambassador is an opportunity I would encourage other students to apply for. It has enabled me to practically apply what I have learnt in university in contextual settings and build unbreakable confidence early on in my career. I now embrace the unknown of where my career may take me and am looking forward to exploring employee wellbeing and sustainable organisational growth further.

Whether you are applying to be the Student Ambassador, considering signing up for HRNZ as a student or wanting to begin networking – take the opportunity!

Rebecca Ralph is in her final semester of a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Human Resource Management and Marketing, while also working for Raygun. Rebecca is always happy to connect; please feel free to contact her on LinkedIn.

E: rebeccaralph55@gmail.com L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/