“Human resource management encompasses a very wide field. But it is essentially about helping people and the organisation,” Cecilia shared. “When I look around me, I see a lot of people having the desire to move to the next stage of their career or in their personal development, and I want to be in the position to help them.”
With that conviction, she took on a management-support role in a medical education organisation, handling human resource matters and sponsorship for Clinicians and Postgraduates.
Aiming Higher, Reaching Further
Three years into that job, Cecilia felt a great urge to upgrade her knowledge and expand her skills as a human resource practitioner. After looking through the various courses certified by the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, she decided to attend the WSQ Diploma in Human Resource Management with Human Capital Singapore. With its coverage of a broad spectrum of issues, Cecilia felt that the course would allow her to gain insights into human resource management in today’s context and help her develop into a HR Specialist.
“After attending the diploma programme, I had a better understanding of the functions of HRM and I could appreciate things from different perspectives. Our facilitators are professionals who have in-depth experience in the HR industry. They facilitated the participants to learn from different perspectives and were creative in the learning activities. I really enjoyed all my lessons” Cecilia shared. “Furthermore, the course helped me understand the challenges faced by HR employees and management, especially the importance of developing workplace relationships and aligning HR services with business needs.”
Putting Knowledge To Use
Shortly after completing the WSQ Diploma in Human Resource Management, Cecilia had a chance to apply what she learnt when she was offered an administrative position at the National Healthcare Group’s Graduate Medical Education Executive Office. “Our office oversees the graduate medical education of doctors who chose to train with the National Healthcare Group. Working hand-in-hand with various institutions, we develop medical graduates and junior doctors into specialists, helping them fulfil their career goals and aspiration.
“Being part of the team at the Graduate Medical Education Executive Office, I provide administration in Resident Affairs in areas such as conference sponsorship, manpower planning and deployment. I also manage personnel records and administer the database. I like my work here as it is dynamic, and it integrates HR aspects with administration. Furthermore, I get to work with other medical institutions and government agencies. But most importantly, my superiors are very supportive of my continuous learning and development,” Cecilia said.
Challenges Ahead
Like other HR Practitioners, Cecilia feels that her profession is a special calling, “Whenever I take on any project or case, I’ll ask myself what will benefit the person or the organisation, and will I achieve the desired outcome. I think it is only when I put my thoughts and apply my skills with empathy, then I can make a meaningful difference.
“Besides that, I believe it is important for the staff and the organisation to be in harmony. It is because positive workplace relationships are necessary to enable everyone to grow. It may be challenging but with my enriched HR knowledge, I am confident of contributing towards building positive energies in the organisation.”
The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) is a national credentialing system. It trains, develops, assesses and recognises individuals for competencies companies are looking for.
Please visit WDA Facebook to leave your suggestion.