Georgia Ertz, People & Culture Business Partner, C&A

To help current students and recent graduates navigate the world of work, several USI Alumni shared their career paths and career story. Here the story of Georgia Ertz, People & Culture Business Partner at C&A in Lausanne (CH). USI Degrees: Master in Corporate Communication, 2017 and Bachelor in Communication, 2014.

How did you start your career?

I started working very young with summer jobs, student jobs and internships in many different sectors (retail, care, hospitality, journalism, translating, teaching). My professional career started at USI as a Research and Teaching Assistant in the Institute for Media Management (IMEG). After 1.5 years, my private life brought me to Geneva, where I worked for 3 years as an Area Manager for ALDI Suisse. There I was responsible for the commercial development for 6 stores and approximately 70 employees.

Why did you choose a career at C&A?

Working in my previous job brought me to work very closely with people and I discovered that this was the part of my job that enjoyed the most. Working together to find solutions, make team efforts, develop the others' competences and strengthen their confidence: that made me thrive. My interest for labour law and human resources management also grew and I sensed that this was my calling. These interests made me decide to try and change my career path. A job opening at C&A came at exactly the right moment and my experience in retail and HR management were the perfect fit for the HR Business Partner role.

What is your current role/duties?

In my role as People and Culture Business Partner, I am the daily sparring partner for managers in all HR matters. I coach on talent development, train in HR management, recruiting, leadership and consult in more various situations such as promotions, performance development and also disciplinary cases. Furthermore I participate in the strategic decision making of the company regarding the allocation of resources, the development of exceptional performance and work on optimizing HR processes and various projects (i.e. learning concepts). Line managers and HR business partners form a dynamic duo, which is essential in guaranteeing the best possible outcomes for the company and comply with regulations and laws.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career at C&A?

A dynamic mindset is essential to work in human resources in the retail sector. Be bold, try, fail, adapt and try again, always with your team, is the one thing that you must be willing to and enjoy doing. But the most fundamental quality that you need to have and keep is empathy! Every person has their story and their interpretations of life and events. You have to keep that in mind to find the possible way to communicate with them and make your message resonate.

What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?

The Master in Economics and Communication, with Major in Corporate Communications, opened a great number of possibilities and provided an ideal general background, which could come handy for many different career paths, both in academia and outside. Furthermore, the fact the Master course was in English and trained the use of this language very intensely, and that it also contained a consulting project for a real company made my job profile quite attractive.

What competences and skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

The numerous team projects make for a great exercise in negotiating, compromising and find the best viable solutions together. Having a very busy schedule and plenty of assignments is a challenge, but is the best way to prepare yourself for a packed working routine and have the necessary endurance and focus.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

Enter the job market gradually: start very early with internships and small supporting roles. This gives you the opportunity to gain experience, confront yourself with many different realities and decide on your professional path with already an idea of what interests you and what doesn't. It also paves the way in finding your own fundamental values, which you then will try to find within your future employer. Stay true to yourself and what you believe!