CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT
Diary of a student…
Sophie Chapman LLB (Hons) MCIPPdip Head of payroll and pensions, University of East Anglia
leave from work which I have dedicated to making a good start on my assignments or revision uninterrupted. I’ve then found it easier to work the odd hour here and there. Withmodule one completed of your course, howdo you think you did andwas it what you expected? I really enjoyed it. Having studied for the past six years I already knew that working and studying alongside was a challenge, but it had become part of my routine. It was really good to be studying topics which I encountered on a daily basis and be able to network with other like-minded professionals. Howdid you see the rest of the courseworking out andwere you getting used tomaking it part of your routine? I saw it working out well. I found it easier studying something connected to work and with which there was more group interaction. For someonewho is thinking about studying for a CIPP qualification, what would your advice be to them? Go for it! Without this qualification I wouldn’t be where I am today. It is a really good qualification that opens doors and lifts your profile. Study hard and get the most out of every job you work in; any role is possible. n
A brief background I bought my first home last year in
Which course did you study and why did you choose it? I studied the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management taking the RPL (recognition for prior learning) test before completing years two and three. And did the fact that the CIPP is Chartered or recognisedwithin the industry influence your decision to enrol with the CIPP? Yes, it did, I hadn’t considered doing any more study but once this was suggested to me and I did some more research, the fact that the CIPP being the recognised qualification and institute for my industry really encouraged me. How important is this degree in relation to your future career? Very important – it was on the essential criteria of my latest role and I doubt I would have been able to move into management without it. Howdo you copewithwork-life balance and study? I am pretty good at work-life balance and study as I have had enough practice. I have always made a point of taking a day’s
Dereham, where I grew up, and live there with my black pug Percy close to my family. Outside of work having sung and danced on stage when I was younger I enjoy theatre trips along with eating good food and spending time with friends and family. Can you give us an insight into your career and qualifications background? I left sixth form working as a care assistant having not gained a place to study law at the university for which I now work. Injury forced me out of the role and after a period of rehabilitation and searching for a new job I began a role as an accounts assistant. It was when my financial controller moved and wanted to take me with him that the opportunity of payroll came up: “the lady who does the payroll is leaving… do you fancy giving it a go?”. And that was that. Since then I have worked in a housing association, local government and the National Health Service before gaining the role I have now at the University of East Anglia. Alongside all of this I achieved my goal of graduating with a law degree from the Open University.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2019 | Issue 55 10
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