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Quick question for the adrenaline junkies among you: Would you rather jump out of a plane with a parachute on your back, or from a bridge with nothing more than a bungy cord wrapped around your ankles?
Candice Watson, HR business partner for Ford New Zealand, has done both and says the choice is clear: skydiving is much more enjoyable.
“You don’t really have the opportunity to change your mind when you’re attached to an instructor with your feet dangling out of the plane door,” she explained. “And then it happens. It doesn’t really feel like you are falling, it really is exhilarating, and the views are out of this world.”
“But bungy jumping is absolutely terrfying. You do not feel in control at all.”
Leaping feet-first into the unknown is a liberating experience, but Candice says the rewards extend beyond the adrenaline rush you get from hurling yourself from a bridge or plane.
“I believe that it really makes you think on a deeper level about some of the choices/decisions you make on a daily basis,” she said. “ You really can surprise yourself what you are capable of if you just give it a go. You really get a lot of satisfaction from stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something successfully.”
Having emigrated to New Zealand from South Africa nearly 20 years ago, Candice grew up with a love of adventure, and for team sports like netball, touch rugby, volleyball and athletics.
She joined Ford New Zealand’s “small but mighty” team in October 2022, and says that she’s passionate about Ford stands for and how the compnay care about its people.
“Getting to know all of our people, connecting and strengthening relationships is absolutely my favourite part of the job. I love being in a position where you can make a real positive impact on people,” she said.
“I’m lucky to be in a role where there is a large variety in what I do. I can have my labour relations hat on one minute, and then my talent and development hat on the next.”
Outside work, Candice dedicates most of her time to supporting her three children in their after-school activities.
“My family is my everything” she says. “I want to be the best role model I can be and show them that you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to no matter the challenge. It’s something I reflect on every day, making sure I am grounding myself and going back to my why”.