By Beth Harris, CHRP

As emerging Human Resource (HR) professionals enter the workforce many questions race through their minds. “Where do I start?” “What area of HR do I want to work in?” “What will be the best move for my growing career?”

Students were given the opportunity to explore answers to these questions and network with tenured HR professionals at the BC HRMA Vancouver Island HR Café event at Victoria’s Marriott Harbour Side Hotel on March 28, 2012.

The team of hosts and student volunteers that made the event happen!

Approximately 90 students attended the function coming from Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, University of Victoria, and North Island College.  As a recent graduate from the Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management at Camosun College, I was asked to attend the event and write an article about my experience from a student perspective.

Students selected four HR topics from 13 choices ranging from Employee Engagement & Retention and Labour Relations to Research and Metrics and Total Compensation.  Like most students, I chose purposefully, selecting my favorite HR topics and using the opportunity to create new connections with local HR professionals.

Table One:
Each subject was presented differently depending on the presenter’s style.  Some led discussions based on each student’s interests, others spoke mainly from their personal experiences. The first presenter I visited was Tony Fenlon, CHRP from BC Ferries speaking about Labour Relations (LR). Tony presented with a positive perspective of this HR function and was introduced us to the idea of LR professionals as change agents, facilitating relations between employees and the employer with a book of rules to guide decisions. If I didn’t already love LR, I would have had a spark of interest peak once I left Tony’s presentation.

Table Two:
My second table was about “The Career Path of HR” led by Sarah Hood, CHRP from the CRD. I was in a group of students with various education levels ranging from the Advanced Diploma in HRM to a Masters in Conflict Resolution. Sarah created a student-led conversation about HR topics of interest to each group of students, discussing how to create a path into the HR world. She advised students to keep their options open and use different experiences to collect “tools in their toolkit” for a successful career. My HR career path belief was broadened as I learned that HR does not have to be a profession where you specialize in one area; continuous learning and development in various areas will give you a well rounded and satisfying career.

Table Three
Dawn Robson, CHRP from Neverblue was my third presenter, exploring “Employee Engagement and Retention”. The difference in generational needs in this area stood out for me, as Dawn explained how she appeals to the predominately Gen Y staff in her workplace. I left with a better understanding of the importance of knowing your employees, learning what they want, and fully engaging them in order to retain them. Cultivating a positive workplace culture, and utilizing intrinsic rewards to make a successful work environment can be a lot of fun.

Table Four
My final topic was “Strategic Human Resources” presented by Kathy Philps, CHRP from the Ministry of Advanced Education. This dialogue brought together all of my learning from the other three tables as it focused on how Strategic HR is really the stem of all operational HR. The behind-the-scenes planning of being 10 steps ahead of current professional practice sparked a new area of interest for me, but the passion Kathy exuded was what stood out the most for me; she truly loves her work. I left the discussion feeling empowered and inspired about the HR profession, and excited about what area would give me as much passion as Kathy has.

Opportunity and Encouragement
The vibe of the night was one of positivity, inspiration, and passion for the Human Resources field from both the students and presenters. Students took the opportunity to ask questions and network with the presenters, but also each other, making new connections and reconnecting with classmates. One student came from as far as the North Island to attend the event and for many it wasn’t their first time attending.

It was Angie Poulsen’s second time at the HR Cafe and she saw it as “an opportunity to speak with professionals I wouldn’t otherwise get to talk to and a chance to learn about their real life experiences and practical knowledge”.  As an unexpected surprise, Carolyne Taylor and Denise Lloyd took the opportunity to present Angie Poulsen with the Student Scholarship to attend the BC HRMA Conference.

All of the presenters appeared to enjoy participating in the HR Café, as they shared their knowledge and connected with students. Kathy Philps, CHRP was at the event to, “give back to the profession” and was “delightfully surprised in the HR students, in their ability to understand the complexity of the profession,” giving credit to the many Post Secondary Institutions.

Wrap Up Looks Forward
The event wrapped up with an inspirational presentation from Sarah Hood, CHRP on how to successfully enter the Human Resource profession. She used humorous stories of her personal experiences combined with tips for today’s emerging professionals to use when looking for their first HR position. Sarah recommended starting networking early and often, paying attention to small details like business cards and professional resumes, and being willing to start in entry level positions to work up into your dream position. It amazed me how her recommendation for emerging professionals validated all of my strategic plans to enter the HR field. I am a success story from all of Sarah’s recommendations, as I was successful in obtaining a great HR position two months after finishing school.

I realized that I want to be passionate about my work like the presenters at the event. This is more than a career. I have joined a community that supports and promotes emerging HR professionals and I am proud to be a member.