Amber Balram

Q: Briefly describe your current position and responsibilities, including challenges/rewards. How did you go about your job search upon graduating -- what strategies were most successful and why do you think you were hired?

My current responsibilities are:

• conduct monthly headcount/active employee reports
• conduct weekly turnover/new hire reports
• analyze and maintain training metrics
• benefits billing audits and reports
• policy administration
• resume screening
• interviewing/interview coordination
• new hire tours/assist with new hire orientation
• designed a new hire orientation manual
• archive maintainance
• training administration and coordination
• org chart maintainance
• HRIS administration

Q: List the key positions you have held since graduation, and any post-graduate degrees/diplomas you earned after graduation. If applicable, list any other ways you are involved in your profession or in your community (member of a professional association, involved as a leadership volunteer, etc).

• Human Resource Management Co-Op Post-Graduate Diploma Received June 2010
• Member of the HRPAO
• Passed the N.K.E. with 90%, CHRP Candidate
• Staffing Services Administrator, Manpower Canada April 2010-June 2010
• HR Co-Op Student June 2010-August 2010 at Maritz Canada
• HR Administrator August 2010-Present at Maritz Canada

Q: What personal characteristics/skills are most important for success in your job/field?

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication (written/verbal)
• Problem Solving
• Analytical ability
• Creativity
• Conflict resolution
• Tact, diplomacy
• Empathy
• Time management
• Business acumen
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to listen without bias

Q: During your university career did any key experiences assist you in making your career choices? If yes, how so? (Internships? Extern Program? Volunteering? Student clubs? Summer job? Mentorship?)

Yes and no. My essay writing in English and Philosphy allowed me to develop my analytical abilities and my ability to read between the lines which is extremely important in my profession. However, I did not have any internships sourced through U of T that helped me to develop into my role. At Sheridan, my co-op program gave me the foot in the door that I needed to get started in the working world. Nonetheless, volunteering with the Outreach program at U of T did help me to gain valuable management experience and insight.

Q: What have been the keys to your success? What advice would you give to students who wish to pursue a similar career path? If you had the chance to plan your studies and your career path again, what would you do differently (if anything)?

Dedication, strong work ethic, and strong time management have been the keys to my success.

The advice that I would give to students is to think of what you enjoy best, do a lot of research, and always have a plan B as far as a career because attending university can change things for you and close a few doors. Before U of T, I had wanted to be a lawyer, however I was unable to achieve the GPA I needed to get into law school. However, I am glad I took the degree that I did because I had more than one plan B available to me. Either way, I would have had to attend more school to gain the necessary skills to achieve a professional position. Given all that has happened, I perhaps would have gone to college first, then come to university because college gives you the practical experience you need to understand the theory.