My CIPD level 3 Journey
Pursuing CIPD Level 3 was a huge step on my part because I was a beginner when it came to people management and HR. I never knew how businesses treated their workers before I pursued this course. I always imagined HR was all about dismissing people as well as recruiting. However, by day one, I came to understand there was more. The course enlightened me to a lot of things associated with working within HR, including business development, assisting workers as well as enhancing working conditions for equality. It was not all easy, but I am content that I pursued it because it helped me mature as a person as well as professionally.
What I Studied in Business, Culture, and Change in Context
One of the first things we studied was about how businesses operate and how outside things affect them. We learnt about things like the economy, technology changes, and politics. I found it interesting to see how something like a new government policy can affect how a business runs. For example, if the government increases the minimum wage, businesses have to adjust how they pay their workers. We also studied how company culture shapes the way people work. I realised that in a positive culture, people feel happy, but in a toxic culture, people often leave. We also learnt about change management, which is about how businesses deal with changes, like new technology or a new manager. This helped me understand that change is normal, but it must be managed carefully to avoid upsetting employees.
What I Studied in Principles of Analytics
Another important area we studied was people analytics. At first, the idea of working with numbers scared me because I did not have a strong background in maths. But the teachers explained it in a very easy way. We learnt how HR uses simple data to make decisions. For instance, we learnt how to use absenteeism records to pinpoint issues within a department. We learnt how to generate basic reports and graphs to illustrate our findings. I was amazed that even basic figures can show a company so much about what is happening. We were taught to review the information, rather than just gather it. I enjoyed learning how to identify patterns and provide recommendations for improvement. For instance, a turnover rate of more than six months might indicate that there is a problem with training or induction.
What I Studied in Core Behaviours for People Professionals
The third of the course modules was about behaviours that HR practitioners must display. This was a reflective module for me. We discussed the need to be ethical, inclusive, and brave enough to speak up when we see something wrong. I learnt that HR practitioners need role models. They must set a personal example. The idea of respecting everyone, regardless of their background, resonated deeply. Spoken about were real-life cases where HR staff have stood up for employees who have been unfairly treated. This module helped me understand that being an HR person is as much about doing things according to the book as doing the right thing. I learnt that being professional is about honesty, respecting people, and always being open to learning.
What I Studied in Essentials of People Practice
The biggest part of the course was learning about the foundations of people practice. This encompassed a lot of different HR activities. We learnt about recruitment and how to craft good job descriptions. We even did some practising on interviewing, which made me nervous at first, but with time I became more confident. We also learnt about employee relations, like managing complaints and resolving conflicts within the workplace. We also talked about performance management, where we looked at how managers help employees perform at their best. We also learnt about reward systems, such as pay, bonuses, and non-financial rewards, such as flexible working.
. We also learned about reward systems, such as pay, bonuses, and non-financial rewards such as flexible working. We also touched on learning and development, understanding how training programmes help people grow in their jobs. Doing practical exercises made this part fun and useful because we could see how these skills would work in real life. I especially liked writing job advertisements and practicing mock interviews with my classmates.
Challenges I Faced During the Course
Even though I enjoyed the course, it was not always easy. One of my biggest challenges was managing my time. Since there were deadlines for assignments as well as classes to attend, I had to become better at organising my week. At first, I sometimes left assignments until the last minute, which made me stressed. Later, I started planning ahead, which helped me feel more in control. Another challenge was understanding some of the new concepts, especially in analytics. Numbers and graphs were not my strong point, but asking questions and working with classmates made it easier. Writing assignments in a professional way was another challenge because I was used to casual writing. Learning how to write clearly and formally without making it sound complicated took some practice. Group activities also challenged me because sometimes it was hard to agree on ideas with other students, but I learnt that good communication solved most problems.
Duration of the Course
The CIPD Level 3 course took about a year to complete. I studied part-time because I was also working a few days a week. We had classes every week, either in person or online, and lots of independent study as well. At first, I thought one year sounded like a long time, but it went by very fast. The course was divided into different units, and we usually worked on one unit at a time. This made it easier to stay focused and not feel overwhelmed. Each unit had its own assignment, and at the end of the course, we had completed four major assignments. Having clear deadlines for each unit helped me stay on track.
Benefits I Gained from Studying CIPD Level 3
There were many benefits to doing the CIPD Level 3 course. The biggest one for me was gaining confidence. Before the course, I felt unsure about working in HR, but now I feel ready to start a career in it. I also gained lots of practical skills, like interviewing, handling grievances, writing reports, and working with data. I now understand how businesses work, not just from a people perspective but from a wider view. Another big benefit was meeting new people. Working with classmates on projects helped me improve my teamwork skills. Some of them even became friends. The course also made me think more about my personal development. I now set goals for myself and look for ways to improve. Lastly, having a CIPD qualification makes me more attractive to employers. It indicates that I have a professional understanding of people management and that I am serious about my career.
Personal Reflections
Looking back, I feel proud of myself for completing the course. At the beginning, everything felt new and scary. There were moments when I doubted myself, especially when assignments piled up or when I struggled to understand a topic. But I kept going, and each small success built my confidence. I learnt that asking for help is not my weakness. In fact, discussing questions with teachers and classmates helped me learn faster. I also learnt the value of being open-minded. Some topics, like inclusion and ethical practice, made me think deeply about my own values and how I behave. This course made me better at understanding HR and helped me grow as a person. I now see challenges as chances to learn, not as reasons to give up.
Future Plans After CIPD Level 3
After finishing Level 3, I feel excited to keep going. I am planning to look for an entry-level HR job where I can put my skills into practice. I also want to continue studying and maybe do CIPD Level 5 in the future. I know Level 5 will be more advanced, but I feel more prepared now. My dream is to work as an HR advisor one day and later become an HR manager. I want to help businesses create workplaces where people feel valued and motivated. I know that the foundation I built at Level 3 will help me move forward.
Conclusion
In conclusion, studying CIPD Level 3 was one of the best decisions I have made. It gave me a solid understanding of how businesses manage their people and why HR is so important. The course taught me useful skills, built my confidence, and prepared me for the next steps in my career. Even though there were challenges, I am proud of how far I have come. I now feel ready to start my journey in human resources and to keep learning and growing every day.