PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Diary of a student… JaneQuigleyMCIPPdip Senior payroll controller Gestamp Tallent Ltd.
How did you manage the work- life balance and your study? Do you have any tips for others who are in the same position? I stuck rigidly to the timetable, and always completed my assignments a couple of days ahead of schedule in case anything unexpected happened. I made studying my priority and gave myself a routine. I studied most nights until nine, and every Saturday and Sunday until twelve. At the time, I was working from home, which was advantageous, as I could log off from work and start studying immediately. My advice would be to attend all the workshops and tutorials as they support the information in the study materials and give tips to help with the assignments. You do have to make sacrifices but it’s worth it. What would you say is the most important thing you learnt? I learnt a lot about myself and that I’m much more resilient than I thought. The whole experience has taught me I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. What did you gain from this qualification – both in terms of skills and career progression? It has advanced my leadership and analytical skills, which I have transferred to the workplace. The qualification made my CV stand out from other candidates and gave me more confidence when attending interviews. It also helped me secure my current role as senior payroll controller. n
Tell us a little about your background and life, so far? I began working for Aldi in 1995, in the Darlington regional distribution centre as an administration assistant in the accounts department. Although I started my career in finance and studied at the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), I always had an interest in payroll. Several years later, an opportunity arose as a payroll administrator, which I took. I continued in this role until I was made redundant in November 2020, when the department was relocated to in Warwickshire. What can you tell us about your career and qualifications? I received my long service award in April 2020, for 25 years at Aldi. Most of that time I spent within the payroll department covering all aspects of end-to-end payroll. I recently completed the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll Management and graduated in November 2021. I am currently employed as senior payroll controller at Gestamp Tallent Limited. Why did you choose to study the Foundation Degree? Although I had years of experience and a good working knowledge of payroll, I felt I needed a qualification to support this.
I had previously attended CIPP update courses, where I learned about the Foundation Degree. I decided if I wanted to progress my career, then I would need to challenge myself and the Foundation Degree would enable me to do so. When researching payroll vacancies, the CIPP Foundation Degree was the preferred qualification. It would, therefore, give me an advantage when applying for higher level positions in payroll. How did you find the course? I found it really challenging and, at times, I felt like giving up. It was difficult balancing working full-time and studying, while also applying for jobs and attending interviews. The support provided by the tutors was invaluable, and I had lots of encouragement from my husband, family and work colleagues. What advice would you give to others who are thinking about studying to improve their career? I would say, just go for it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, and it has helped me in my career. I feel much more confident in my ability and knowledge of payroll. It was hard work, but it was worth it. I felt very proud on the day of graduation, wearing my cap and gown and collecting my certificate.
Enrol now at cipp.org.uk/study
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | February 2022 | Issue 77 10
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