14 October 2026 - 2 min read
My name is Melissa, and my career path into HR has been a bit unexpected, but it’s one I’m very glad I followed as it’s been so rewarding.
I originally studied International Hospitality Management at undergraduate level, with the intention of pursuing a career in hospitality. However, after graduating I realised hospitality wasn’t for me, so I moved into an Executive Assistant role in the city, knowing it would allow me to build on my transferable skills in organisation, communication and stakeholder management.
This experience eventually led me to Finastra, where I joined around seven years ago as an Executive Assistant supporting several HR Vice Presidents.
Working so closely with senior HR leaders gave me valuable exposure to the people function and sparked my interest in building a career in HR. This eventually led to an opportunity to move into the Talent Acquisition team, where I have since progressed and now work as a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner.
While I had gained significant practical experience in recruitment, I felt that obtaining a formal qualification would help broaden my HR knowledge beyond talent acquisition and support my long-term career development.
For that reason, I decided to enrol on the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management with DPG.
My main motivation was to expand my HR knowledge beyond talent acquisition and build stronger professional credibility. Talent acquisition roles can sometimes be quite specialised, so I was keen to gain a more holistic view of people management, organisational strategy and HR best practice.
I also hoped that achieving a recognised qualification would support my future career prospects. During the time I was studying, I was fortunate to receive a promotion at work, which I believe was strengthened by the knowledge and strategic thinking I developed throughout the course.
The programme has helped me develop a better understanding of areas of HR that I previously had limited exposure to, such as:
Balancing the qualification alongside a full-time job was definitely one of the most challenging aspects of the experience.
The course required a high level of discipline, motivation and time management. I quickly realised that the best way to stay on top of the workload was to build studying into my weekly routine, while also making sure I took proper breaks when I went on holiday so I could switch off and recharge.
Most of my studying happened in the mornings or at weekends, fitting it in wherever I could around work commitments. There were certainly times when it felt demanding, but persistence, and a lot of coffee, helped me stay on track.
Although the programme is distance learning and requires a high level of self-motivation, the structure of the learning materials and the flexibility of the platform made it possible to study alongside my other commitments.
The tutors were also available to provide support whenever needed, which was reassuring throughout the course.
I found the live team sessions particularly helpful, as well as the assignment structure videos, which I often referred back to when preparing my coursework. In addition, the unit guides contained detailed information and guidance, making them a really valuable resource throughout the programme.
Beyond the professional benefits, the qualification has also had a significant impact on my personal development.
Completing a programme at this level while working full time gave me a great deal of confidence in my own abilities. It reinforced the importance of resilience, discipline and consistency, particularly during periods when the workload felt intense.
Because the course is largely self-directed, it required me to trust my own judgement and remain motivated without constant external pressure. That process helped me build confidence in my work ethic and in my ability to work towards challenging long-term goals.
In my role today, the broader strategic perspective I developed during the course has helped me approach talent acquisition in a more holistic way.
When partnering with hiring managers on recruitment strategies, I now consider not only the immediate hiring need, but also how those decisions align with longer-term workforce planning and organisational objectives.
This has helped me have more strategic conversations with stakeholders and better position talent acquisition within the wider HR function.
One of the most valuable lessons I took from the experience was the importance of consistency and time management. I found that steady, consistent effort made far more difference than big bursts of studying and keeping that routine going over two years was essential.
My advice to anyone considering the course would be to plan your time carefully, stay consistent and be prepared for a challenging but rewarding journey. It is a significant commitment, but the sense of achievement makes all the hard work worthwhile.
I would really recommend studying with DPG to anyone considering advancing their HR career, as one of the biggest benefits of the course is the flexibility it offers. This makes it possible to balance studying alongside a full-time role and other commitments.
I also found the assignment-based structure especially beneficial, as the course is not exam-based and instead focuses on applying learning through coursework and practical assignments.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing my career within HR and build on the strategic knowledge I have gained through the qualification.
I have very nearly completed my programme, and it has given me a strong foundation to broaden my expertise beyond talent acquisition and contribute more widely to people strategy.
If I had to describe my experience in three words, they would be challenging, rewarding and transformative – and incredibly worthwhile.
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