Interview with Two of Our Former Peoplecorp Interns

Rian Thomas our Senior Consultant who managers the Peoplecorp, HR Intern program recently caught up with two of our recent HR Interns who have started their first full-time roles to chat through how they found the scheme and how they think it benefited them in landing and starting their first roles.

Gauri Walawalkar placed as a HR Intern with EQ8, now working as a People and Payroll Coordinator with Abacus.

Iabell Anjoul placed as a HR Intern with Inspired Education, now working as HR Coordinator at ERM.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first became involved in the Peoplecorp HR Internship Program?

Gauri – My name is Gauri Walawalkar, and I’ve been living in Australia for the last two years after moving here to complete my master’s degree. I’m currently working as a People and Payroll Coordinator at Abacus Group. I first met Rian at a Peoplecorp HR networking event about two years ago focused on building your HR career. Since then, we’ve stayed in touch, and Peoplecorp has helped me find opportunities that aligned with my background and career goals.

Isabell – I was studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resources and Marketing at UTS, and I was job seeking. I saw a position posted on SEEK from Peoplecorp HR Recruitment Specialists, which mentioned getting in touch with Rian at Peoplecorp HR for more information about the role. I had a look into the company to see what Peoplecorp offered, saw several roles listed under different Recruitment Specialists, and decided to email to ask if there were any internship programs happening even though the role I had seen was a lot more senior. I then had an interview and was placed almost straight away, it really was a right place, right time situation.

Looking back, what were your expectations before starting the internship, and how did the experience compare?

Isabell – I just wanted to gain some solid experience in HR, and the HR Internship via Peoplecorp definitely lived up to that. I made a really good connection with the HR Senior Manager and HR Coordinator, who taught me a lot of what I know today. The company I was placed in was a great one to start off in, especially because my manager was a very good teacher, it was a good experience to have that kind of mentor while I was still at uni.

What were some of the most valuable skills or experiences you gained during your internship?

Gauri – The internship gave me practical experience in workforce planning, data analysis, PowerPoint and Excel, client interaction, and presenting information. It also pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me build confidence by working directly with clients and contributing to presentations and projects.

Isabell – I learned to communicate better, since you’re dealing with people a lot in a role like that. Attention to detail is also important, so I became more mindful of that. I also learned a lot about confidentiality, since you’re dealing with a lot of sensitive information, that’s a skill I’ve had to use a lot more.

How did the internship help prepare you for securing your first full-time HR Coordinator role?

Gauri – Although my internship wasn’t a traditional HR role, it helped me build transferable skills that have been invaluable in my HR career. It strengthened my confidence in working with stakeholders, presenting information, communicating with clients, and using tools like Excel and PowerPoint. Those experiences gave me a solid foundation and helped prepare me for my first full-time HR Coordinator role.

Isabell – Having that internship experience to put on my resume attracted a lot of employers, they could see I already had HR experience. Most job requirements ask for a minimum amount of experience, which is hard to get while you’re still at uni, so it made me a lot more appealing for the next few roles I applied for. I received a lot of interviews as a result.

Since starting your HR Coordinator position, have there been any moments where you’ve drawn on what you learned during the internship?

Gauri – In my current role I regularly use the PowerPoint and Excel skills I developed during my internship, particularly when working on projects and preparing presentations. The client-facing experience I gained has also helped me communicate confidently with candidates when recruiting for roles.

Isabell – Yes definitely, having a manager who was so well-versed in the legal side of HR gave me a real head start. Now, when I come across a similar situation, I can draw on what she taught me and speak up with confidence, instead of hesitating, like I might have without that early grounding. That exposure has been invaluable; it’s shaped how I contribute to conversations and the advice I’m able to give.

What advice would you give to current HR students who are considering applying for the Peoplecorp Internship Program?
Gauri – My advice would be to put yourself out there and attend networking events. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities might come from those conversations. Meeting Rian at a networking event led to two incredible career opportunities for me. Building connections and talking to people can open doors that you never expected, especially in a competitive job market.

Isabell – Go for it, it’s honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself, and it sets you up for the long term. It’s difficult to even gain a role and experience while you’re still at university, but the internship gives you the flexibility to work part-time awhile also completing your studies, rather than being limited to a full-time position.

What are you most excited about in this next stage of your HR career?

Gauri – I’m excited to keep learning and embracing whatever opportunities come my way. Whether that’s in HR, workforce planning, or another area, I want to continue giving every opportunity my best and developing my skills as my career evolves.

Isabell – I’m excited to learn about a different side of HR. What I’m doing now is quite generic, so I’d like to grow and maybe experience a more advisory side of things, potentially specialising. I’m excited to learn and see some other areas of HR.