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Working in HR? If you could start again, would you?

Steve Bridger

You're looking at me quizzically... 'Odd question', you're thinking. 'Why ask that?'

No agenda... I was just thinking out loud... those of you who are HR (or L & D) veterans; with all your experience and expertise - if you knew then (at the start of your career journey)... what you know now, would you do it all again?

Maybe you are relatively new to the profession. What would you do differently? 

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  • At the risk of being a bit of an odd one out, I made absolutely no 'choice' to have a career in HR.

    Being born in rural Norfolk, going to University just wasn't an option - you either did A levels and went to work in a bank, or left school at 16 (which is what i did)

    My 'career' from that point was: Trainee Jeweller, Trainee Travel Agent (YTS), Medical Records/Casualty Reception Clerk at the local hospital, Civil servant administering the state pension, Pensions Administrator then Pensions Manager for a large retailer. Next came pensions administrator for a holding company. I should mention that i was married to a member of the RAF, hence the many job changes as he was posted around the country.

    My foray into HR came as a result of taking a temporary data input job in the NHS when he was posted to Lincolnshire. This led to a permanent Workforce Analyst role and being invited to do my CIPD due to a dispute between the HR Director and Finance Director. Following completion of my CIPD, i took my first generalist role, had good feedback on my performance and have stayed in HR ever since.

    So really, I am in HR as a result of just going with the flow. Is it something i would have chosen? - if i'm honest, probably not - my passion is cooking and if i had the chance to chose my career, that is probably what I would have wanted to do.

    But the moral of the story is probably that it doesn't really matter if you don't know what you want to do when you grown up - I still don't and have less than 10 years to retirement!
  • in reply to Teresa
    Hi Teresa

    I can empathise with your story as I came to London 35 years ago after just getting married. I had left a job in Slough as a subscription administrator for Newsweek International. A really good job in those days. When I came to London I had just turned 21 and I got a job in the NHS dealing with their tenders. After a few weeks I applied for a job in the old GLC and was placed in a pool of Clerical Officers. It was exciting and I did not know which department I would end up in. I was placed in the department for recreation and the arts as a personnel officer - so HR chose me. As a veteren I have never looked back and I would chose HR again every time.
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  • in reply to Teresa
    Hi Teresa

    I can empathise with your story as I came to London 35 years ago after just getting married. I had left a job in Slough as a subscription administrator for Newsweek International. A really good job in those days. When I came to London I had just turned 21 and I got a job in the NHS dealing with their tenders. After a few weeks I applied for a job in the old GLC and was placed in a pool of Clerical Officers. It was exciting and I did not know which department I would end up in. I was placed in the department for recreation and the arts as a personnel officer - so HR chose me. As a veteren I have never looked back and I would chose HR again every time.
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