CIPD Learner Case Study
Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
Anna Foster-Ressel
Thank you to Anna Foster-Ressel one of our lovely CIPD Level 7 learners for completing our case study questionnaire. We’re thrilled to see these outcomes for Anna and her organisation.
Did we deliver to your expectations? Yes – Mostly
All things considered, how would you rate your course? 8 / 10
What has been the main impact on YOU from studying for your CIPD qualification?
This course has been career changing for me in a way that I have been able to solidify my people practice knowledge, and also be able to take lots of learning and apply it back to my organisation. In addition, it has supported me to build confidence in myself as a People Practitioner which has supported my professional development.
What has been the main impact on YOUR CAREER from studying your CIPD qualification?
During my period of study I have been promoted within my current organisation to a Strategic People Business Partner, which is a fantastic opportunity. In addition, I am finding that much of the work I have been able to influence through my new knowledge attained on the course is starting to be publicly recognised as good practice – in turn enhancing the reputation of our organisation and also myself as a professional.
What has been the main impact on YOUR ORGANISATION from studying your CIPD qualification?
Being able to share up to date knowledge, good practice and trends within my organisation, has supported my colleagues and peers within People Services to elevate our contribution. In addition, I have been able to apply my learning to influence our People Strategy and also lead other projects that have incorporated direct recommendations taken from my assignments, for example joining up sustainability goals within our role profiles, and developing a talent management programme.
What did you like MOST about the course?
The subjects of study, meeting other people practitioners and learning from them, support from my tutor
What did you like LEAST about the course?
Self study, it’s very different to a classroom course approach that I have been traditionally used to, so prioritising the time for this in a busy week was difficult.
What would have most helped to improve your experience?
Managing expectations from the start about how the webinars are not aimed to teach like a traditional course, and how the learner is expected to lead this themselves. More webinars, or opportunities to meet other learners to discuss. Maybe setting up open webinars for those who are keen to meet fortnightly to discuss current work and to keep each other motivated. It’s hard without a peer group around you to do this. Luckily by year 3 I had built this, and we did this informally – but at the start it was tricky not knowing anyone and feeling on your own. Signposts to more up to date reading / materials, quite often the references signposted to were over 3 years old.
(Thank you for telling us Anna – we have increased communication for new learners since you started 3 years ago. We encourage buddying up with other learners and working together on the collaborative exercises on each unit and this is an important part of our CIPD Boost programmes. We are happy to arrange additional webinars to help learners connect with others in our community via AheadConnect and our forums and learners can reach out to the team for more support if they are finding it difficult to arrange this themselves. We are also incorporating study sessions, specialist webinars and networking group sessions into our programmes to provide additional support for our current, future and completed alumni learners. We are continuing to add updated resources to the AheadLearn platform to support learners’ own research as new materials become available and we encourage learners to let us know if they spot something that is out of date so that we can sort it out.)
Do you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us?
Thank you to Fiona for all of your support and cheerleading during the course, you have really made a difference to my experience and also my confidence as a professional – I will always be grateful 😃
May we use your feedback for marketing purposes? Yes
Are you interested in exploring further studies with us? Yes
Do please connect with Anna on LinkedIn and support her as she continues to boost her career in HR.
We look forward to seeing you again soon Anna on our networking groups and masterclasses. Good luck!
If you are one of our learners and would like to share your experiences with us please let us know.