Alexandra Francesca Sorichetti

Alexandra Francesca Sorichetti

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
2011
Training Specialist

Current Role

I am an experienced, innovative Certified Human Resources Professional with seven+ years of progressive generalist experience in the public and private sector. My experience includes talent acquisition, policy and procedure development, instructional design, adult learning and development, health and safety, and HR systems and administration. In addition to my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from York University’s Faculty of Health, I have also obtained a Business Human Resources Management Certificate from York University and The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law from York University’s Osgoode Professional Development. My current role as a Training Specialist for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario enables me to combine my psychology background with my passion for collaborating with senior leaders to drive business strategy with a focus on the key success factor: people.

What factors led you to enter your current field of work?

I entered my undergraduate degree in psychology at York University, merely hoping to enter a field of study that would allow me to help others. I focused my studies on behavioral and evolutionary psychology. Eventually, I went on to study organizational behavior, which is the study of ongoing, systematic processes of implementing and managing effective organizational change using theories from behavioral sciences. Learning about the systematic study of how individuals and groups act within the organizations where they work is what sparked my pursuit of a career in Human Resource Management where I could apply my background in psychology in a corporate setting. Since my graduation, I have gained generalist experience in the private sector, an HR designation, and have crossed over to the public sector, where I now enjoy working in an adult education role.

What does success mean to you?

I believe success is finding purpose in both your goals and the journey towards them. Setting a positive intention behind each professional and personal goal I create for myself helps me to find purpose and meaning in what I do and the day-to-day actions and memories I make as I work towards accomplishing them.

If you weren’t in your current professional role, what would you be doing?

If I was not in my current role, I believe I would have still gravitated towards a position within the public sector for an organization that positively affects others and allows me to work collaboratively with a diverse audience.

How do you build and maintain your professional network, and how has this benefited your career?

During my studies at York University, I built a network amongst my peers through my volunteer work as a Conflict Resolution Classroom Leader for the Peace by PEACE charitable organization. I also attended some of York University’s Career Conversations Panel sessions, where I listened to professionals speak about their career paths and networked with other students. When I entered the workforce, I pursued a professional designation through the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). Through my membership with the HRPA, I can network with peers at annual conferences and various events throughout the year. While working as an HR Generalist in the private sector, I networked and organized events with several not-for-profit organizations in my community. I also leverage my LinkedIn profile to stay connected with former colleagues and to connect with professionals. My experience in building a professional network has benefited my career by keeping me current and up to date on industry practices and trends and exposing me to various opportunities.

What are the strategies you use to remain resilient during challenging situations?

When I find myself in challenging situations, I find it helpful to take a step back and focus on the aspects of the situation, which I can control. Understanding, what I can do, and the actions that I can take to get through a challenging situation in a positive, productive, and healthy manner has helped me remain resilient in my personal and professional life. I am also very fortunate to have a strong community of peers and mentors in my personal and professional life whom I can turn to for guidance. As a result, whenever I am approached for advice from a colleague or student facing a challenging situation, I openly share my stories and experiences in hopes that it may provide them with strategies to remain resilient, as my mentors do for me.

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