Associate Professional Human Resources at DXC Technology Australia
What's your job about?
DXC Technology is the world's leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, serving nearly 6,000 private and public sector clients from a diverse array of industries across 70 countries, I work in the Talent Management team for the wider ANZ HR Team. Our tasks include identifying top talent, high potentials and poor performers. We have face to face leadership training for all levels of employees which are run every quarter in our ANZ region.
In a normal week:
What's your background?
I grew up on the Central Coast, NSW until I was 10 years old. I then moved to Sydney with my parents, three siblings and dog.
I went to three different schools (2 primary and 1 secondary) all very different to the other. Through my secondary studies I was the average student. I did well but wasn’t the shining star. I kept up my co-curricular activities such as tennis, dance, various work placements during my school years. I have a very supportive family and friendship group, who have all helped me get to where I am today.
A few weeks before my HSC I was given early entrance into a Bachelor of Commerce – majoring in Professional Accounting at Macquarie University. I started my first year in this degree, trying out the different core business subjects, which is where I found my passion for HR.
My life mainly revolves around my family, boyfriend and dog. I have done an immense amount of travel which I am very grateful to have the opportunity to see different parts of the world, and it has helped open my eyes to different cultures and ways of life.
The one thing in life which has taught me a great deal would be my travelling. I have travelled regularly since a very young age where I have experienced all different cultures, behaviours and living standards. Seeing how people live and how different parts of the world work, really helped with my international HR skills. Understanding multiculturalism is a great skill to have developed at such a young age and has assisted with my work immensely.
The most important job I had before working for DXC Technology, was having a 3-year internship at an IT firm. Once I fell in love with HR, I was given this opportunity to work casually in the HR department. My boss was amazing, colleagues were incredible, and I learnt so much on the job that I applied to my studies and university assessments. Having the experience before applying for my first full time role gave me that extra boost of confidence I needed, and it helped having experience on the resume!
I went searching through graduate job sites and applied for the Graduate role for operations and finance at DXC, as there was no HR position advertised. I completed the online form, completed the online assessment and then heard I would be attending an assessment centre. In the assessment centre, I was interviewed by a woman in the HR department. I didn’t know this at the time so carried on with talk about operations and finance throwing in a little HR knowledge. When I was called for the second interview, it was with the HR Director. I thought this was normal, maybe every graduate must go through HR for approval. The interview went great and I went home happy with a call a few days later with an offer in the HR team. I have now been in my role for 11 months, with my graduate position ending in 1-month time and transitioning into a permanent role.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes 100%, your background should not matter if you have the motivation and passion for helping people, both in their work and personal lives. If you have the skillset including, active listening, communication and patience, you can do it.
Creativity and research are needed for my role. I spend quite a bit of time researching future HR trends, learning and development and change management processes.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
I love the structure. I know what the main projects we have coming up over the next 6 months and exactly what is needed from me to reach my targets. My boss is very well organised and always ensures I am okay. The most satisfying part of my job is seeing employees at all different levels, walk out of a training room at the end with a new positive mindset. Even though I am not facilitating the senior leadership courses at this time, I can see the impact they are having in the company.
What are the limitations of your job?
Currently, I do not have weekend work as I am a huge planner so ensure I meet all my weekly goals. Unless it is urgent, I do not take my laptop home with me on a Friday night. A big part of the workforce still has a negative image on HR. The importance of HR can be overlooked and when you tell people that is your career, they can be quite demeaning. It is growing to be more of a positive department, especially when you explain all the things an employee or manager would not be able to do without us however, it can be hard at times building that trust with people.
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