Being qualified
Rebecca Christie, MCIPPdip, Pensions Administrator for Capita HR Solutions, explains why she wanted to attain the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Pensions Administration & Management and sets out the effects of achieving it
Why did you decide to study the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Pensions Administration & Management? My career in pensions started as an administrator within a third party benefit consultants. I joined Capita Business Services in 2008 working as a pensions/ payroll administrator and have always strived to improve myself. However, I knew I really wanted to develop my career by completing a qualification relevant to my role. As much as the business agreed to support and invest in my development, it was always difficult to find a qualification which included a syllabus that combined learning for the complex roll of the pensions/payroll administrator. My line manager had just completed
a CIPP qualification and was aware of my aspirations to complete one myself. She therefore set out to find a qualification which could for fill my requirements. The CIPP Foundation Degree in Pensions Administration & Management was only in its first year, but my line manager approached me with the course content which was relevant to my role and I therefore snapped up the opportunity and signed up.
What have you gained from studying the qualification?
Before studying this qualification I always second guessed my own knowledge and would always slip back into the shadow of my managers tending not to engage or put forward my ideas as I was never confident in my knowledge to support them. You could say that I was somewhat intimidated by those above me. By completing this qualification I have improved my knowledge of pension payroll and administration but also learned valuable management skills which will enable me to project myself professionally with confidence and managerial knowledge. As I am currently on maternity leave I have not had a chance to apply the skills
and knowledge I have learned to my job role, but I do find myself using these skills in everyday life. The management side of the degree has enabled me to assess a situation by looking at the bigger picture. Once I return to work in the coming months, I do believe that by completing this qualification I am going to be able to improve our current processes therefore improving the service which we provide to our clients.
For someone who is thinking about studying for a CIPP qualification what would your advice be to them? Anyone thinking of studying towards a CIPP qualification would need to be committed to their studies no matter how difficult it becomes. At times it gets tough so it is important that you have the support and motivation from your employer, family and friends. I also found it very rewarding to build relationships with the tutors and people in my class which allowed me to draw on their knowledge and experience as well as building relationships for life. I was blessed to have met some lovely people.
How did you cope with the pressure? Studying towards any qualification, working full-time and looking after your family is no easy task; sometimes the pressure can get to you. I certainly had many times where I broke down and the thought of deferring was always at the forefront of my mind especially when I found out I was pregnant at the start of my second year, so I had doubts as to whether I wanted to carry on. However, my family and tutors were committed to supporting me and in particular my dad who was my rock and I leaned on him for advice and a little pick me up when I felt that I couldn’t cope. Just hearing someone say “You can do it” empowers you to be a success. Despite being offered many extensions I dug my heels in and committed to finishing each assignment. My dad became my mentor and motivator. My commitment to complete my qualification whilst bringing my baby boy into the world safely was shown by winning the FD 2 Pensions Student of the Year Award 2013 and I must say it was a very proud moment for me. If you commit you can achieve anything you set your mind to no matter what life throws at you.
What have you gained from studying the qualification?
Being qualified is very rewarding. I have never really been academically minded but completing the qualification has made me a better person with a wider skill set and therefore a valuable asset to my profession. I am now thinking about the next qualification I can complete. PP
14 PayrollProfessional
professionaldevelopment
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56