Holly

University: Lancaster University

Degree: Business Administration Management

Graduate Opportunity: Human Resources

My Background

As part of my degree I undertook a year in industry, which I spent with Atos. I really enjoyed my internship and I knew I wanted to come back on the graduate scheme as the opportunities available to graduates are amazing – I simply had to be a part of it. Having completed my internship in Business Operations Management, I’d identified an interest in HR during my time with Atos. I changed some of my final year modules on my return to uni, to focus on this area, and applied to re-join Atos as an HR graduate.

For me, the best thing about working for Atos is my colleagues. I love the variety that my role offers and the development opportunities available too, but I really enjoy coming into work alongside such friendly and supportive individuals. I also appreciate the opportunities available to me through Atos. I am currently the deputy chair of the Million Makers team 2018, raising money to support The Prince’s Trust. I am also the co-editor of the Atos Aspire Diversity Network magazine (our gender diversity network); I am on the HR Great Place to Work committee and I am studying for my CIPD qualification. If you want to take part and get involved, there are lots of opportunities available to achieve this in Atos.

My job summed up

Within HR, graduates get the opportunity to gain experience across a range of HR specialisms, so we can learn more about the different areas of HR and network with various individuals in the company. I started my role on an internal mobility programme called Future Fit in the Learning and Development team. This then led to my current role in the Employee Relations team, where I look after sickness and absence management as well as performance management, guiding managers and employees on the practical application of HR policies. I enjoy the challenge this offers and the value it adds to managers. It is really satisfying to know that you have helped someone with an issue they have. There are so many other areas where I can gain experience, and my development will continue after the graduate programme.

A day in my life

0900-1100

Without fail, the first thing I do when I log on is catch up on my emails and grab a quick coffee with my colleagues. I then look at my calendar and my to-do list to help structure my day and see whether there are any meetings that I need to prepare for.

1100-1300

In the employee relations team, we manage our workload and queries allocated to us via an online tool. A new case can be assigned to me at any point during the day and we have a 24-hour service level agreement to pick up a case and contact the requestor. I therefore regularly check the SDM tool throughout the day to keep on top of my cases.

1300-1500

Following lunch, I usually have plenty of meetings with managers regarding HR issues they need support on. Each call can take anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour, so these fill up most of my afternoon. At the moment I’m organising our Million Makers Regatta, so will have a catch up call to keep up to date on our sales strategy and ensure we are in keeping in line with our business case and the money we aim to raise from this event.

1500-1700

When I have caught up on the tasks I have outlined on my to-do list, I work on some of my ongoing responsibilities such as sickness absence reporting or any ad hoc tasks for which I have volunteered. I networked a lot when I first started and this has given me the opportunity to pick up extra projects from colleagues in HR that help to add more variety and challenge to my day.

1700 till late …

This is usually the time when I have a team meeting for Million Makers so we can catch up on our progress for the week. I have also been assigned a mentor recently and I find our catch-up calls tend to fall later in the day due to her availability. This it is a great way to unwind and review my progress towards the developmental goals I have set myself.