Goodbye student days - hello job!
Two and a half years ago, Vera Würsch, now 28, had the opportunity to start an internship in HR development at a cantonal bank after successfully completing her degree in economics at the University of Basel. For her, this was an important first step towards gaining a foothold in the professional world. Although the Basel native had already gained work experience during her studies, she now had to set the right course. Development in particular was the area of her business studies that had caught her attention early on. The internship was therefore a successful introduction to starting a career in the field of personnel and organizational development.
From intern to specialist responsibility
After her internship, Vera Würsch was offered a permanent position and continued to work in HR development with a focus on leadership development for almost a year. Sometimes, as we all know, there are happy accidents and coincidences. As her employer was in the middle of a change process, a new role was needed at the bank to take on the topic of organizational development. This also matched the goals and interests of the young professional. Würsch was fascinated by the fact that changes not only has an impact on individual employees, but also on the entire organization. She wanted to delve further into this area and immediately seized the opportunity. Now, for over a year, the former student has been able to drive forward the field of organizational development.
Development is not a question of age - it all depends on the right Mindset
What the Skilly Award winner sees in employees during her work as a personnel and organizational developer, she can also use for her Personal development . "Of course, everyone has a certain set of skills. Some people have stronger analytical skills, while others are better at social skills. But we all have one thing in common: We all need to develop. We have to keep reminding ourselves where we are, what we can improve and then practise it. This means leaving our comfort zone and seeking out specific challenges," emphasizes Vera Würsch.
Vera's training approach
Her development goals include further developing her presentation skills and assertiveness. Two specific skills that are important if you want to build up your own specialist area. Through an initial personal assessment , the sports-loving organizational developer was able to set herself small milestones, practice them in her day-to-day work and evaluate her development again and again. "It also helps me to talk to my team, my family or my partner. Of course, you don't have as many formal development meetings there as you do with your line manager, but you can always pick up ideas, feedback and new perspectives in an open dialog, which has often provided the impetus for further development ideas," Vera Würsch explains in the interview. This is also how she came to join a women's network. The exchange of ideas there motivates and spurs her on. "Seeing that we sometimes have similar challenges strengthens the feeling of togetherness and I always find support and valuable input," adds the late 20-year-old.
Patience is the mother of patience
One of the most important things Vera Würsch learned was that development takes time, is challenging, sometimes scary because you have to leave your comfort zone and it means work. But she also learned that development is a tool with which you can take control of your own professional career, decide for yourself where you want to go and see and, above all, celebrate success!
The skillaware team would like to congratulate Vera Würsch on Skilly Award 2021! A great development story that inspires young and old!
Would you like to listen to the full Podcast interview with Vera Würsch? Then click here.
