Human Resources Student Stories:
CIPD Student Stories: Kate Perkins | CIPD Level 5 Diploma Review

Kate loved working with people so she decided to study an online CIPD Level 5 Diploma to kickstart her HR career. Here's how she got on.

My name is Kate Perkins and I work for a FTSE100 company within the real estate industry. I am currently studying the CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resources Management through ICS Learn.

My interest for a career in HR began after engaging with HR with a previous employer. I needed their support for a challenging situation and from this experience, I greatly admired their tact and skill.

Within my role at the time, I was the manager of a small team, so naturally there were often situations where I would need additional support or advice. I love working with people, empowering colleagues to be their best and even during the most difficult times, I enjoy being that person somebody else can lean on.

I saw the value that a HR department could bring over a range of situations I faced with my team, and wanted to know more.

Now curious about a career in HR, I approached a woman that supported me at work and wanted to know how she got to her position.

She informed me that she was currently studying her CIPD Level 7 with ICS Learn. This is when I started researching the CIPD, and decided to enrol the following month.

During a late night research into HR, all things CIPD and potential career paths, I found an opportunity for an HR Trainee with a real estate company in London. This role is an apprenticeship style and would offer a great balance of on the job experience as well as dedicated time to complete my qualification.

I successfully secured the role and began in the September.

I’m now mid-way through my CIPD Level 5 in HR Management and thoroughly enjoying the course. The content is detailed, extensive resources and ICS Learn have provided a great support.

The online chat is a great feature for even those ‘silly questions’! Online lessons are recorded, which is great to re-cap over topics when needed.

Even though I’m mid-way through, the qualification has elevated my knowledge and understanding of HR topics.

The study and work balance is going so well, that I’m actually on track for a more senior role once I have completed my qualification.

It has been several years since I completed any formal education so felt slightly apprehensive around remote studying, but ICS Learn has been a great support to overcome self-paced studying.

I would highly recommend anybody who is looking to take their HR career to the next step, to enrol and embrace everything that comes your way.

Interested by Kate's story? Develop your HR career by studying a 100% online professional CIPD qualification today.