Member profile: Rebecca Ralph - HRNZ Student of the Year

Human Resources magazine caught up with Rebecca Ralph, the recent recipient of the HRNZ Student of the Year award. She shares insights into her key achievements and learnings, and offers practical advice for Members.

What are the highlights of your career to date?

My career is only just starting! That’s the exciting feeling, knowing I have many years ahead of me, where I will discover and curate what brings me true satisfaction. Landing an HR summer internship at Raygun, a small Wellington tech company, kick-started my HR career to success. I had the opportunity to make a difference to processes, policies and the culture of the company. I felt empowered to explore new employee experience opportunities that would make a real difference.

During the March-April 2020 lockdown (while at Raygun), I worked on what employee wellbeing looks like and spent time working on a holistic wellbeing guide that really encouraged conversations to begin around wellbeing.

I enjoy challenging myself to explore new ideas and to work on new ways to improve employee experience in the generalist space.

Diversity and inclusion is something I am also passionate about, and having the opportunity to work on the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy as the OD adviser at the Civil Aviation Authority was a rewarding experience. I’m now back in the generalist space, at LIC, a dairy farming co-operative, and I am excited to see what opportunities and experiences I have to look forward to in the future.

What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?

I thrive on making a difference to the employee experience, whether it’s creating more trusting environments, exploring true flexible working, planning diversity and inclusionbased events, scoping roles the right way and being wellbeing-focused. I enjoy it all. I also love creating a positive working environment where people feel safe to come to work and express themselves and deliver, deliver, deliver. The variety and breadth of HR really motivates me. I enjoy challenging myself to explore new ideas and to work on new ways to improve employee experience in the generalist space.

How would you describe your experience applying for and winning the HRNZ Student of the Year Award?

The HRNZ awards represent the highest level of professionalism and achievement among New Zealand HR professionals. In the lead-up to the 2021 HRNZ awards, I took the time to reflect on my HR studies and career so far: the lecturers who supported my learning and could see

the potential in me. The opportunities I have taken to accelerate myself in my HR career, before even finishing my university degree, have been critical to my success to date.

It was an absolute honour to be in the HRNZ Student of the Year category among Emily Watson, Greer Bright and Anmol Chawla, and I didn’t expect to take out the win on the night. Speaking to such a large crowd was also a pretty big achievement for me; as an introvert, it’s not something that comes naturally. It was important for me to acknowledge those who have helped me on my journey, and I feel grateful to have inspirational leaders in my life. It was a special night for me where my efforts and hard work were recognised at such a prestigious level.

Speaking to such a large crowd was also a pretty big achievement for me; as an introvert, it’s not something that comes naturally.

Challenges facing the industry: what’s your perspective as a future HR leader?

A big challenge in the industry is the war on talent. Organisations need to look at ways they can attract and retain talent in new and innovative ways. It is well and truly a candidatedriven market, and those ‘perks’ that organisations have can differentiate organisations and become a big decision maker for candidates.

Becoming a successful hybrid workforce is a big challenge that ties into the war on talent. People are seeking more flexibility in their roles, and they will go elsewhere if they sense an organisation is not willing to adapt to new ideas and ways of working.

How has HRNZ membership helped you fast-track your career?

Being a part of the HRNZ membership has given me so many opportunities, whether it’s meeting like-minded professionals at a branch event, meeting mentors who become a good sounding board or building my capability through organising events. I enjoy the mix of personal and professional development that my HRNZ membership offers. The continuous growth and learning that HRNZ membership offers has let me fast track my career to be an intermediate HR adviser at the age of 22.

Rebecca is always happy to connect, please feel free to contact her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/rebeccaralph/