Why did you choose HR or why do you want to be in the HR department?

I was so happy meeting the HR head ( her name was Ruchi), I was like, ‘this is what I want to be. This is what I want to do. I don't want to spend time on machines, going through daily logs, learning about maintenance etc.

My first job was that of a maintenance trainee in one of the leading manufacturing plants based in North India. I was fresh from grad school so I didn't have much idea about the HR function. The first time I ever came to know about HR was the time when this company visited my campus for the placements. I loved the way the HR panel interacted with the students, the way they gave the presentation, and then of course the final HR round. I guess I just loved the behavioral element of this job and the professionalism with which they conducted themselves. Besides, the (female) HR recruitment spoc was simply amazing her dealings. Her smile, warmth, demeanor …I mean she made it so comfortable for all of us.

And then, when I joined the company later that month. It was again the same HR team that managed our onboarding. And my! they did a fabulous job! Greeted us, took care of us, helped us with all the arrangements, talked to us, gave us comfort, helped us with initial assimilation process etc. I was in awe! Since I was also the only woman from the overall selects from our campus, my HR spoc set-up a meeting her boss, the HR head. I now know it was one of those diversity things the HR managers usually do. Anyway, I was so happy meeting the HR head ( her name was Ruchi), I was like, ‘this is what I want to be. This is what I want to do. I don't want to spend time on machines, going through daily logs, learning about maintenance etc. Instead, I want to meet people, help them, listen to them, work with them, motivate them, guide them when they join the company…’. I liked that aspect far more than the hard core engineering work I was assigned. Not to berate any other department or to say they are any less. Let’s say HR just clicked!!

That's when I decided I wanted to be in this function and not in the engineering department. I think I was around 21 then. It was funny how I quit though ( but that's the story for another day). But yes, I quit within the first month. Packed my bags. Went back home. Got an admission in a local University and pursued my Masters in HR (I wish I knew the importance of going to a good B-school in India. I would have studied so hard to get in one of those. Talk about regrets!). And in two years joined back one of the fortune 500 companies as HR trainee. Rest is history!

It's been 12 years since then. I am back in school again and now pursuing MS in OD from one of the top schools here in Boston.

And yes I want to continue in HR. I am very keen to foray into specialist roles. That’s precisely why I am specializing in OD and Leadership. I think only those who know why they want to be in HR are able to bring the 'human’ element to this job.