CIPD Learner Stories: Faith Bartlett

Faith completed her CIPD Level 5 Diploma in People Management with in just 74 days. Read more about how she did it below. 

I’m currently an office manager with HR responsibilities, although, all my previous roles have included some degree of training, development, recruitment and general HR duties.

I work for a legal firm and as part of my development my practice manager and I discussed developing the HR side of my role, so I began researching study options. I work closely with our HR manager and could see that while I have plenty of experience, I lacked the necessary qualifications to access an HR management career.

DPG offered the only course I found where I could work at my own pace. I knew I wanted to work quite intensely on the programme and needed the freedom to do it at my convenience, and around the needs of my family.

DPG offered the total flexibility I was after. The course was so much more than I expected. The breadth of the course content was a surprise, and I really enjoyed the theory and the assignments.

The interactive nature of the lessons, tests and challenges made the content engaging and relatable. It was interesting studying after having years of practical experience, and there were certainly some lightbulb moments along the way!

I was also surprised at how many layers of the CIPD Profession Map there were, and how it changed my perspective of the industry.

I had to resubmit one unit and my feedback was clear and the assessor’s comments meant I could alter my work very quickly and meet the assessment criteria. I started a new unit each Monday – some weeks were more straightforward than others, so on those weeks, I got more time off!

The first unit was a struggle because it was all so new and I had to learn the layout of the programme and create a system for me to learn, but after that, I got into a rhythm and began to enjoy the content. I worked from midmorning to whenever seemed an appropriate place to stop – although as the units became more intense I worked some evenings too.

I did the programme while in lockdown – so there wasn’t much balance happening anywhere! I live with my teenage daughters, and they enabled me to study full time – they cooked when I was on a roll and didn’t want to stop, as well as helping out with the shopping and housework so I could focus.

This also meant I kept reasonable hours. We had our daily walks and I had time away from studying to be with them, to chill out and keep everything in perspective, which was very useful.

My best advice is to find a routine that works for you and be disciplined. I approached it as work, rather than something I could dip in and out of.

I also made copious notes (colour-coded – I’m so old school) throughout the online sessions, which helped when it came to the assignments.

This qualification has given me confidence in the work I do now; I have ideas to share and, I hope, a greater contribution to make. However, in addition, it has prepared me for any future opportunities that come along.

I feel that my qualifications now match my professional experience.

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