In this segment of Women in HR, we met with Ms. Aishath Thashkeel, Human Resources Lecturer at Villa College. Having pursued her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota, Thashkeel has been working in the field of HR for over half a decade. Here is her story.
How did you start your career?
My career in HR actually began accidentally, where my first work took me literally to the doorsteps of employees from all around the Maldives. This is where my interest in HR arose and I decided that this is the path I want to walk professionally. Since then, all my work and education have been in the field of HR and industrial relations.
What was the reason for pursuing higher education in HR?
Over the years I have learned a lot on the job and from my colleagues, but I felt it was important to gain formal knowledge which would elevate my experience. I think it is important to balance the priorities given to both education and work experience.
How many years of industrial experience in HR do you have?
I have about 5 years of industrial experience in HR and two years in the field of teaching in HR programs specifically
Why did you choose the organization you work for?
Villa College is a wonderful learning organization, where the college invests quite a lot of resources for employee development such as through formal training, opportunities to participate in local and international seminars, various informal learning and knowledge sharing sessions, among many others. Therefore, the college provides the platform for both professional and personal development.
What is your most memorable achievement so far?
On my professional ground, last year I was awarded the honor of Carlson Scholar from the University of Minnesota where I completed my Master’s degree in HR and Industrial Relations. This means a lot to me as only a handful of graduates receive this honor. Another memory I truly cherish is the night I won my first Employee of the Year award.
What are the qualities you believe should have in an HR leader?
This is a tough question – because there are many important qualities. If I were to select the most important of them, I would say, one is, empathy. It is important that employees feel that their HR Manager is approachable and has compassion so that the doors of conversations and problem-solving remains open. The second quality I would choose is conscientiousness, which is a key quality especially due to the nature of work. Lastly, I’d say, being lifelong learners; it is important to have a self-commitment to continuously learn and grow so that there is this awareness of what is happening in the fascinating world of HR and simultaneously develop one’s own self as well.
Who is the biggest inspiration in your endeavor?
Thashkeel: As cliché as it may sound, my mother is actually my biggest inspiration. Having not had the opportunity to gain a strong education and hence work experience herself, she has always reminded me of the importance of education and that of meaningful work as the key to independence. She has always pushed me, inspired and supported me, through thick and thin.
What is the biggest challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
Well, there was an unfortunate time when I was passed on for a much-expected promotion. This hit me pretty hard and resulted in unfathomable challenges personally and professionally. With much support from my family, I decided to refocus my energy on the positives; as I realized dwelling on the past did not help me to move from my current status to the next.
In your opinion, what is the most prevalent issue for women in the workforce?
I believe the lack of flexible work practices, coined with elements of patriarchy in our society is a huge challenge for women who are trying to strike a balance between work- life. There are many capable women with zest to succeed, but such national/organizational cultures prevent these women from reaching their full potential.
What are your comments on the 6 months maternity leave policy? How could it affect the overall productivity of the organization?
I applaud this decision by the government. In short, the emotional, psychological and physical burdens of carrying and delivering a baby continue beyond the delivery room. After all, it is not only a child who is born but a mother as well! Therefore, mothers need to fully recover in these aspects to be productive employees. If employees are taken care of by organizations like this, there is a high chance that a strong positive psychological contract is built between them, and as a result, employees tend to be more committed, loyal and productive! I think it’s a win-win situation.
Could you share your experiences leading a team predominated by the opposite gender?
What I have learned is gender plays less of a role in such circumstances – what is most impactful are the characteristics of the team members. Mainly, I’ve had a wonderful experience working with teams predominated by the opposite gender but then again, there was one situation where myself and another female colleague struggled to be heard.
What is your message for someone who desires to enter the profession of Human Resources?
HR is a truly rewarding field where there is an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of people. Be it someone working professionally in HR or as a lecturer like myself; where I get to inspire minds and help develop future HR professionals. It is also important to acknowledge that the field is very competitive now, therefore it is important to be career conscious and commit to continuously self-grow.
What is your future career goal?
I want to develop myself in the field of HR. I have interests in further education and research in the field of AI and machine learning in HR. I also do hope to move back to the industry for the experience again but I plan to continue teaching as well – after all, I cannot leave behind one of my passions!
Is there anything else you want to highlight?
Adidas essentially is right, ‘impossible is nothing’ – as long as you have the passion, perseverance, and patience. Never let anyone tell you otherwise, believe in yourself to dream bold.
Discussion about this post