Abbey Macalister CMHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/the position that you are in currently?

Like many, a career in HR wasn’t really on my radar. I actually graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Tourism, and started my career in a hotel management graduate programme. Through this programme, I got my first proper taste of leadership and was involved in activities like the Health and Safety Committee. I found myself much more interested in the work of the hotel HR team than the other departments! I decided to go back to university and study towards a PGDip in HR which led me to the various HR roles I’ve had ever since. I think the main takeaway for me was that careers aren’t always linear, and sometimes you have to go with the flow, or an opportunity might pass you by!

What do you love about working in HR?

I love the variety, and the real impact your work has on people every day. People spend a lot of time at work, and so having the ability to positively impact that experience is a real privilege.

Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share?

Quite recently, I had the opportunity to be seconded to an establishment team to set up a brand new government agency. As the only HR specialist on the team, I had to draw on all of my knowledge and experiences to get things up and running for the entire employee lifecycle. It was great fun, and something that was probably a once in career experience.

What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?

For me, Chartered Membership has provided an opportunity to pause and reflect on a varied and busy career so far. It is a nice way to acknowledge my work, and validate my expertise. I think that having chartered members is an important step in building credibility as a profession.

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

I saw the accreditation as a natural next step for me to take in my career. Having been in HR for over 10 years, I really enjoyed the opportunity to use the framework to assess my strengths, opportunities and experience. I also wanted to go through the process so I could encourage and support my team as they work through their own accreditation application processes.

What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member?

I’m keen to keep learning, and to also start contributing more to our profession through volunteering opportunities.