CIPD Learner Stories: Kira Wieland

Kira Wieland chose to study CIPD Level 3 with DPG to pursue a career connected to HR, people's practice and helping others at work. 

I’m 25 years old, and I decided to study the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice because I wanted to pursue a career in Human Resources.

HR appealed to me because I wanted to help people, but I also wanted the education and knowledge to support that goal. I felt it was important to combine real-life work experience with a recognised qualification, so I could build my confidence and take a meaningful step towards the career I wanted.

At the time, I was in a role that I knew wasn’t right for me. However, it was a life-changing period because it pushed me to focus on what I really wanted to achieve career-wise and the steps I needed to take to get there.

Choosing to Study with DPG 

I chose DPG because the flexible payment plans fitted well with my lifestyle at the time. I also thought that the team was really friendly when I had a lot of questions before deciding if I wanted to enrol. 

I thought that having the qualification would help me land a role in HR. Since completing the course, I have been able to secure a role that feels like the best of both worlds. 

I am a Customer Success Manager from a HRIS system company, where I can talk to HR professionals every day, and learn something new from the system every day too. This job has combined my passion of HR and interest in people practice with my long standing experiencing in onboarding/implementation and systems! 

Studying with Support from My Tutor 

One of the things I found most useful was being able to message my tutor at any point and it made me feel like I had someone to depend on throughout the process. The initial thought was if I did this in my own time, rather than in a classroom, it might feel quite isolating not having peers to bounce off. 

However, my tutor, Holly, was great and really helped me get over barriers. If I needed further clarification, she was always able to provide it. 

The course structure itself was great. It started with more manageable topics and gradually worked towards harder ones, which was useful because I hadn’t been in education for a while before starting the course. 

I was able to balance studying with my other responsibilities by finding time after work or using quieter periods during the day to complete course activities. During the course, I was able to move house/flat while still managing to pass the course! 

Building Confidence Through the Qualification 

Completing the course has improved my confidence massively. 

Taking that next step in my education helped me prove to myself that I could do it if I put my mind to it. My final assignment was especially rewarding because I passed it first time. 

Although it was a testing time, the sense of reward was so much bigger. Career-wise, I now know I am on the right path! 

Applying My Learning in My Current Role 

My CIPD learning now helps me in my role as a Customer Success Manager for an HRIS company. 

Because I interact with HR professionals regularly, I have a stronger understanding of their day-to-day roles, what they need from an HRIS system and the kinds of challenges they may be managing. 

I also have a deeper understanding of organisational structures and the changes businesses can go through, which helps me connect more confidently with the people I support. 

What I’d Say to Future Learners 

One positive lesson I learned is that, despite the fear of doing this learning by yourself, in your own time, you are never truly alone. DPG provide you with so many resources and a tutor you can lean on! 

I would recommend DPG as there’s so much course content, library, keywords that you can use, and it is all so helpful.  

My advice to anyone considering enrolling would be to look at all the course content first and review the assignment requirements before starting each topic. At the beginning, I don’t think I fully understood what was expected, and I probably lost time because of that. 

I would also say that if you struggle to make time for studying alongside your other responsibilities, speak to your family, friends or loved ones for support. 

Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams! 

In my experience studying with DPG was challenging, rewarding and positive. It helped me build confidence, change direction and move towards a career path that feels right for me. 

Turn your interest in people into a career, enrol on the CIPD Level 3 qualification today!