Student Perspective - Felicity Blakeley

Over the past year, I have had the fantastic experience of being a student ambassador for Human Resources New Zealand, Waikato Branch. The practical knowledge that I have walked away with has immensely benefitted my career goals and understanding of the HR industry.

Before starting university, I knew I wanted a career that helps to add value to others’ lives. Although I was unsure which career path would allow me to achieve this. Therefore, I started by majoring in marketing and psychology. Within the first couple of weeks in my marketing course, I knew it wasn’t for me. By chance, in my first-year strategic management class, our assignment was to look into the HR practices of a company. I instantly knew I had found my passion, and psychology would still heavily complement my change.

Throughout my studies, I have gained key interests in intercultural perspectives, motivation and training and development. Through HRNZ and both informal conversations and influential speakers, I have been able to broaden my knowledge and perspective of these topics.

I first heard about the opportunity to become a student ambassador from one of my lecturers. I remember her specifically telling us that university is a short time in your life and you should try to grasp every opportunity possible, because you never know how it will benefit your future career. I am grateful I listened to those words, because they are very true. The amount of caring HR professionals you meet along the way, who are wishing you success, is an opportunity not many undergraduates face. You can ask questions with ease throughout the networking events that you have on how to make your mark in the industry. My values aligned with the like-minded individuals I met and I was able to actively join in with discussions with no judgement. It is a rewarding experience in which you are surrounded by people who are more than willing to hear your opinion on what you are learning and passionate about.

A key event that stood out for me during my time was attending the CEO panel event. Here, CEOs across Waikato spoke about what they expect from HR managers. Furthermore, they gave constructive feedback on what attributes and skills they want from graduates. I was able to understand what managers wanted from graduates. This is a topic that is so prominent in my life but so inaccessible to gain advice about. The many networking events allow me to enhance not only the practical skills that I am able to apply to my university work but also to improve my soft skills, something that is hard to gain from university alone. 

I will always value the experiences that I have gained throughout my time at HRNZ and heavily encourage fellow students to apply for the role. It has instilled me with confidence that I have chosen the right majors and excites me for my career ahead of me. My Waikato branch team were nothing but open and welcoming, and I thank them for the opportunity to have worked alongside them for a year.