How Nilisha Built a Successful HR Career: SOIL Alumni Journey

https://www.soil.edu.in/hr-career-success-nilisha-soil-alumni-story/

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Navigating a successful career in Human Resources

19 Sep 2024
- admin
- Student Journey
Ever noticed how much a monkey’s day in the jungle mirrors our daily hustle in the corporate world? Navigating the corporate world can feel a lot like being a monkey in a business suit.

~ A very talented SOIL alumnus, HR Business Partner | Zonal HR at Mahindra.

The field of Human Resources (HR) has evolved significantly over the years, becoming a critical component of organizational success. With the rise of technology, the shift towards data-driven decision-making, and the increasing importance of employee engagement, aspiring HR professionals must equip themselves with the right skills and knowledge. In this article, we will explore various aspects of building a successful career in HR, drawing insights from industry experiences and expert advice from a SOIL alumnus – Nilisha who did her Bachelor’s with Sri Sairam Engineering College, worked with Tata Consultancy Services for two years, joined SOIL Institute of Management for her management education, and got placed as the Deputy Manager, at Mahindra and Mahindra.

It’s like a monkey hanging from a tree, swinging from one brand to another! There are certain roles in HR like talent acquisition, organizational development, and talent management. However, when you are in the role of HR Business Partners (HRBPs), you play a pivotal role in aligning HR strategies with business objectives. You have to traverse an employee’s entire life cycle, including the hiccups of the new recruits and the minor/ major issues of the ones moving on. You are responsible for understanding the business’s needs and challenges and translating them into effective HR solutions. This requires a deep understanding of both HR practices and the specific industry in which the organization operates.

So, every day is new, every day has its challenges. Being at Mahindra & Mahindra, I got to dabble in multiple projects, besides the HR-specific, day-to-day tasks I had.

Nilisha emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and open to learning. In her experience, stepping into a business HR role required her to quickly familiarize herself with the organization’s structure and the unique challenges faced by employees. This adaptability is crucial for HR professionals in today’s fast-paced environment.

A big fat job at Mahindra and Mahindra, how did that happen?

When I got admission at SOIL’s PGPM-HR, I knew I had only one year to make it BIG!! I also knew I was going to do everything possible in my strength to crack as many interviews as possible. So, that was the ‘ride-or-die’ mind space I was in. I also had friends from different verticals and fields like Finance and Analytics, so cross-functional learning proved to be an added advantage. We were always debating on interesting topics and educating and enlightening each other on subjects that we were good at and the other person was not, and visa-versa. This led me to gaining knowledge about a lot of topics that I was not particularly great at.

Secondly, I knew I had to be real, acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, and leverage the former in order to make mountains move! Since I knew that robust branding and storytelling are what make or break a brand, I decided to take full advantage of my strengths to design my own interesting story.

Third, I believe in the book called the Human Resource Management by Gary Dessler. It is always with me as a Bible, and I refer to it whenever I am in a dilemma or confused while working on projects. On an average day, I just choose a random interesting topic and study as many books as possible, which helps me expand my thinking capabilities.

Understanding the evolving landscape of HR

The HR landscape has undergone dramatic changes, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations are now looking for HR professionals who can navigate complex challenges while fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. The traditional view of HR as merely a support function is shifting; HR is now seen as a strategic partner in achieving business goals.

As an HR Business Partner at Mahindra & Mahindra, Nilisha points out that –

Earlier the focus was solely on DEI, which has now shifted towards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). It is essential for HR professionals to not only advocate for diversity but also to create an inclusive, and safe environment where employees from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds feel valued, engaged, and motivated.

Essential skills for HR professionals

I often found myself wondering if, after all this education and work experience, I still need to upskill. However, I also found myself realising that during placements, it’s imperative that your skillset speaks! It is during the interview that your answers and knowledge determines whether you make it or break it. So, although it’s a personal choice, I would certainly recommend it.

Networking and Continuous Learning

Building a successful career in HR also involves networking and continuous learning. Leverage LinkedIn, and consume quality content being published by great industry leaders. The technical aspects of new technology can be learned through Google as well, but experiences and impacts will only be understood once you engage with industry professionals, attend workshops, and participate in HR forums like People Matters and Bamboo HR. It will provide you with valuable, and more importantly real-time insights and help you stay updated on the latest trends.

Nilisha recommends following influential industry, and HR leaders, as by staying connected with the Human Resource community, professionals can share knowledge and learn from one another’s experiences.

Look at widening your horizons

Initially, I was extremely stubborn and rigid while choosing my roles at work. I was apprehensive about Talent Acquisition roles too, and I would run away from them. However, the moment I stepped into a business HR role, I started understanding the nuances of various COEs (Centre of Excellence) and their significance, which eventually led to a change of heart. There was a gigantic shift in my perspective of the Talent Acquisition roles. I realized that the major brainstorming and strategizing takes place in the talent acquisition department when we speak about the HR space.

Nilisha urges all budding aspirants to step into roles without delving too much into what they will be required to do, or their challenges. She advises young professionals to let go of their apprehensions, experience it for what it is, and take as much as they can from it. HR has multiple verticals under it and only the lucky/ ambitious ones get to experience and learn from all.

Segueing from engineering to HR management at SOIL

When I joined, I became a business HR right away. My manager was on a month-long leave, and the team was waiting for someone to fill that position so they could start forwarding their issues via email. Within a week of joining, I was inducted into the role. Fresh out of college, I wasn’t prepared to take on such responsibility so soon. I thought I would have more time to learn about the company and settle in. However, in just one week, I learned how the entire system worked, thanks to my dedicated colleagues who spent a great deal of time helping me get up to speed.

While my management trainee (MT) peers were still enjoying their training period, I faced my first big challenge, realizing that we often underestimate our ability to learn quickly until we’re thrown into a situation. Suddenly, I was the person everyone called for solutions — “Ma’am, this is the situation; how are you going to tackle it?” I began collaborating with colleagues, researching how to handle various issues, and found that this is the essence of a business HR role: being constantly connected with each employee, day in and day out.

In a manufacturing environment like Mahindra Research Valley, the role of HR is much more integrated with the workforce than in sectors like IT, where HR might not have such close connections with employees. In manufacturing, you don’t see yourself as just an HR person; you become part of the team, whether in sales, customer care, or any other function. This was a valuable lesson for me, realizing that we don’t need to differentiate ourselves from the people we support.

I was fortunate to receive some incredible opportunities early on. When a new Mahindra venture was being set up, I was given a portfolio that included managing an R&D setup and then transitioning to handle the establishment of a new plant, which is not a role typically given to someone so early in their career. Within two years, I managed both the R&D employees and the plant setup. Then, I was promoted to a Zonal HR role. In just three years, I navigated three different areas and managed diverse groups of people, each experience offering a wealth of learning. This is the unique nature of a business HR role, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth.

This would not have happened without my learnings and education at SOIL. SOIL Institute believes in the holistic development of its students by focusing not only on technical knowledge but also on personality and soft skills. With an industry-relevant curriculum that is revised annually, SOIL ensures its programs reflect the latest industry trends, preparing students to be industry-ready and future-proof. Beyond academics, SOIL emphasizes essential soft skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability, equipping students to be resilient and relevant in any era. By nurturing both competence and character, SOIL aims to develop well-rounded professionals who can confidently navigate the ever-evolving business landscape and succeed in any environment.

Going forward…

Something that often gets overlooked is the importance of being a problem solver. If you come from an engineering background, somehow, through those four years of rigorous training, you subconsciously develop the habit of immediately looking for solutions whenever a problem arises. You start considering different options and figuring out the best way forward. But even if you don’t have that mindset naturally, it’s crucial to cultivate it. When faced with an issue, rather than dwelling on how it happened, focus on how to solve it, because that’s what will truly help you in the corporate world.

Another key point is understanding that while AI is increasingly being integrated into business processes, it won’t replace the human aspect of human resources. AI can automate repetitive tasks, and it should, but HR is much more than that. Integrating AI helps us enhance the employee experience and supports our roles as HR professionals.

When it comes to analytics, despite it being labeled as the “new trend” year after year, many of us haven’t fully embraced its potential. Data is essential; it shapes the emotionally-driven interactions we have daily by providing a solid foundation. It’s vital to be able to tell a story with data. So, work on your data analysis skills using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Excel.

Watch Nilisha’s entire interview and get inspired!

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