In an interaction with Higher Education Review Magazine, Smitha Ramankutty, Head - HR, H&M, shared her insights on various aspects of the key factors people should consider when exploring different corporate functions as potential career options, what are some of the most significant shifts in corporate functions that individuals pursuing a career in this field must be aware of and more. Smitha is a seasoned HR professional with over 20+ years of diverse experience in the industry. She currently leads the Human Resources Division in H&M and has prior experience with companies such as PTW, Finastra, Huawei Technologies, Sasken Communications and others. 

Tell us about the key factors people should consider when exploring different corporate functions as potential career options.

Post your 10^th or 12^th, when you are looking at various options for further education, there are always questions about the career opportunities that science, commerce or arts streams provide to you. While people decide this after a very careful thought process, some of them deviate from their chosen educational field and opt for a career in an entirely different area. However, this scenario has changed entirely today, wherein corporate functions span across HR, Finance,Legal, IT, Marketing, Sales and many other areas. It is an excellent opportunity for people who are considering different corporate functions to become specialists in any of these areas. While most people are aware of MBA courses in HR or Finance, there are specialized courses even for niche verticals such as Procurement, Travel management, Operations Management, Statutory compliances, Communications and so on. I believe that these are some of the factors on which individuals must do a bit more research and build their skills for a career path in corporate functions. 

Suggest a few effective tools or resources that help individuals in their career discovery process within corporate functions.

It is important to understand how roles of corporate function have evolved in recent times. Today, just like how individuals take-up education in one stream and pursue a career in another, there are no restrictions on what you can learn and how you can apply that learning in the corporate functions. Basic Computer skills is an integral technical need in today’s world, with proficiency in MS Excel-Word-PPT-Macros, Visio, Sway, Forms, PowerBi, Tableau, Adobe, Tally, SAP etc becoming an attractive portfolio. Apart from resources and tools, one must develop excellent behavioral skills like communication (written and presentation), negotiation and networking skills. One should never hesitate to take-up any task that will provide an opportunity to learn something new each day. 

What are some of the most significant shifts in corporate functions that individuals pursuing a career in this field must be aware of?

Building a good network both within & outside your office, and familiarizing oneself with some of the most widely accepted best practices across all companies in the industry. Most organizations are leaning towards sustainable practices in every field in Corporate Functions. For example, digitization, zero paper usage, carbon-neutral, green office, inclusive work spaces, work-life integration, energy saving, recycling, ethics & integrity etc. These are some of the emerging areas for Corporate Functions in recent times.

Throw some light on the common misconceptions people have about careers in corporate functions.

One of the most commonly seen misconceptions about corporate functions is that they are easy jobs and they are not as extensive as a technical job. But in reality, these roles demand perseverance, multi-tasking and resilience thus becoming one of the most crucial roles in every organization. Case in point is the recent pandemic period, Corporate Functions teams reimagined every business and swiftly transitioned to adapt to new ways of working. From a career growth perspective, even an inexperienced fresher who has the potential can grow up to the level of a COO/CFO/CPO/CMO/CSO/CEO in this field. 

Briefly explain the importance of continuous learning and skill development in the ever evolving corporate functions space.

While there is huge scope for career growth in the corporate functions space, it is paramount for individuals aspiring to have a great career in this vertical to constantly upgrade their skills and enhance their knowledge base. Also, one must have a mindset that learning is a continuous process and does not end even if they are at the top of the hierarchy in the organization. Further, taking-up certifications to upgrade your skill sets act as a value-add to your career and open-up diverse avenues for future career growth.