Meet Ritika, a Graduate Trainee in HR/Governance & Research Excellence Award Winner

Programme achievements

• Impact Research Excellence Award Winner ‘22 for “Empowering Under-Represented Groups Into Employment”
• Launched a neurodiversity guidance initiative and implemented a menopause sickness option at her host organisation.

Working in HR and governance

Aligning her interest in people development with her passion for tackling inequalities in the climate sector, Ritika took up a post as Graduate Trainee in HR & Governance. During her time on placement, she conducted an award-winning research initiative to increase access and upskill diverse talent at The Climate Group, embedding EDI practice across recruitment, selection and people development services and introducing several initiatives including menopause sickness, neurodiversity guidance and pitching research mentoring. Ritika progressed into an HR Team Leader role at Thesocialtalks following her placement year.

Peer coach reflections

“Ritika had proposed some unique […] recommendations to the organisation, which have and will be considered over the next two years. Ritika also showed her passion and excitement for this research topic during the Impact research showcase in London where she gave a speech about her impact report and presented her findings in front of her cohort, Charityworks team and mentors, inspiring others to take on board the recommendations proposed”

From their employer

“Our HR and Governance Graduate Trainee, Ritika Sharma, has had a huge impact since joining us through Charityworks’ Graduate Trainee Scheme. Her skills and knowledge in EDI have been instrumental in helping us improve and grow. We’re grateful for all of Ritika’s hard work and wish her the best in her next adventure. Thank you, Ritika!”