Tulika Mazumdar is currently a PGP-HRM student of 2019-2021 batch at MDI Gurgaon. Her first preference was PGPHRM. Now that sounds like an unusual choice given the reputation the flagship label PGPM has amassed over the years. But read on to know the several benefits of pursuing HRM for a prospective career ahead.
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Why did you choose to pursue HR over PGPM?
The journey of my decision of specializing in HRM had started way back during my stint with Accenture. Right from my induction, to the change from college to corporate, to my training, to my deployment in the most appropriate project, to smooth approval processes, to interactive feedback processes, to a pleasant exit process from the organization, I was in awe of this particular function of the company - its Human Resource Management. It was then when I took the decision to pursue an MBA in HR, to appease my piqued curiosity about how can such a function which is so intricate on the inside, seem to be so seamless on the outside.
How has been your journey so far? What has been your learning?
As a student of MDI Gurgaon, there is a plethora of opportunities that I get to learn every day from. From the soft skills being taught in the subject of Organisation Behavior to the subject which is the talk of the HR town, that is, HRIS (Human Resource Information System), I am awestruck by the amount of knowledge this branch has to offer. With each passing day I feel a little more sucked into the course and a little more closer to my dream of contributing to the world out there by managing its most important asset - its people. And I have nothing but MDI to thank for it.
What are the skills that you feel an HR manager should have?
First and foremost good communication is the key to making a great Human Resource Manager. On one hand, you are an activist of the employees and on the other hand, you are the representative of the employer and the business to the employees. This requires good communication and negotiation skills. Other major skills according to me include: Organizational psychology, Coaching & Mentoring, Recruitment & Selection. Besides, as the world is moving towards industry 4.0, one important skill every HR Manager should possess today is a good knowledge of HRIS. Human Resource Information Systems are the digital counterpart of the soft-side of Human Resource Management. And people with a good balance of both are the ones who will surely to succeed in this field.
Where will you be interning this summer?
I will be interning with ITC.
How was your interview experience during summer placements?
The interview process post the shortlist had three rounds. The initial round was a group discussion where mostly the candidates were judged on decision making and negotiation skills. The second round was a one on one interview where the questions revolved around points from the CV and a bit about a Plant HR Role. The third round was taken by a panel consisting of three interviewers. The questions in the third round were mostly about how I am as a person and how I would react and proceed in certain situations. All in all, the interview experience was really good and it actually had given me a great chance to self-introspect. But one thing which I felt they kept on checking the entire time was my cultural fit in the organization.
What suggestions would you like to give to anyone wanting to pursue a career in HR?
HR Professionals are learners who seek new ways to solve old problems, they are enablers who make others better and finally, HR managers are value creators who help all stakeholders win. These words might sound very uncomplicated and effortless, but trust me, this is one of the most important pillars on which organizations are standing today. And that’s the reason why the HR strategy of an organization has become CEO level affairs in topics like engagement, reskilling, digital leadership, and organizational redesign.
So if certain people want to play an important part in helping employees find a workplace and an employer where they can thrive, add value and be valued, and thereby add something to this world we live in, then Human Resource Management is the most appropriate career option for them.