Having completed my MA in Human Resource Management, I chose to join British Airways knowing it was a global airline with a strong brand and a good reputation within the industry. I was also attracted by the international opportunities. In fact, these days I’m based in Bulova, New York.

I’ve been an Organisational Development Consultant at Waterside, London, working on a corporate-wide assessment of the management community and financial, efficiency and skills opportunities, and now I’m currently HR Project Manager here in New York. This involves looking after Americas-specific projects such as restructuring, exploring outsourcing opportunities, recruitment and so on. A typical week would see me meeting with external suppliers and internal stakeholders, and working with team members to deliver aspects of the Americas People Strategy.

It’s helped me develop collaborative learning and communication skills. You also need to be willing to go the extra mile – make the most of every opportunity and make things happen for yourself. We have a proud, strong and evolving culture here. The ability to be yourself and not try to be something that you aren’t is hugely important.

You also have to be open to change, be able to work hard to succeed as a team as much as an individual, be up for a challenge and like the smell of jet fuel!

For the future I’m looking to increase my breadth of HR experience by moving to a new area, and I’m keen to get more people management experience too. Until then, what’s stood out for me has been working with my team to deliver the 2011 reorganisation and the first sip of champagne the one time I was lucky enough to be upgraded to Club World. And getting to live in New York… enough said.

To find out more about the HR graduate programme, click here.