60 seconds with a rising star – Daniela Slanina from Hearts & Science

In our most recent edition of “60 seconds with a rising star” we interview Daniela Slanina, HR Manager at Hearts & Science.

What did you find most challenging during the pandemic when it came to work? 

Definitely making time for myself. During “peak” pandemic there wasn’t much to do other than work, and I had a hard time stepping away from my computer. I found myself in a really unhealthy situation mentally and realized part of the reason was because I was working long days with no breaks. I started actually taking a lunch break and going on walks, which made a world of difference. Stepping away without responding to every email was hard to do at first, but I found not only my mental health but also my quality of work improved when I began to take breathers. 

Has your HR career lived up to your expectations so far?

It’s been exceeded by a long shot! I was lucky enough to attend a school that had Human Resource Management as a major (go RU!) which gave me a good idea of the different elements of HR. Actually being in the workforce and being able to apply so much of what I learned has been more exciting than I anticipated. As I’ve grown into my career over the years, something I didn’t expect, but am enjoying and embracing, is the strategic element of HR and how truly essential that aspect is to business functionality. 

What advice would you provide to graduates thinking about entering a career in HR?

Ask questions and get involved. There’s so much to learn and within HR–university lessons and textbook knowledge will not fully prepare you for real world situations. When you start out, your job will likely be heavily administrative, but asking to shadow is a great way to get exposure into other areas early on and will help prepare for when you’re managing your own situations. I also think getting involved in initiatives like business resource groups and joining events is a great way to engage and build relationships with employees while also supporting company culture.

After a big day at work, how do you most enjoy winding down?

Hopping on the treadmill and throwing on a Bravo show. I recently started running and it’s made a huge difference physically and mentally. I didn’t realize how much stress I held in my body until it started melting away when I ran. I’m also a huge reality TV fan and any lingering work thoughts I may have are kicked aside when the housewife drama starts! 

How would your friends describe you?

Definitely driven. Goal setting for myself is a major focus as I think it’s really important to establish things to work towards both personally and professionally. There’s an unmatched sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving a goal or crossing something off a list. I think my drive comes from working to meet the expectations I set for myself. I also like to think dependable. I try to make myself as available as possible to anyone in my life to be a shoulder to lean on. We never truly know what someone else is going through and even a little support can go a long way.

Please note that all commentary and opinions provided are those of the individual, and not the organization/company.