Human Resources Student Stories:
CIPD Student Stories: Leah Davis | Level 3 Diploma Review

Leah chose to study her CIPD Level 3 Diploma in Human Resources Practice with us to make a difference in the HR industry after years of unfair treatment in the workplace. Learn more about her story below. 

At the beginning of this year, I woke up one morning realising I was in the wrong job. I have been in the hospitality industry since I was 12 in South Africa.

My family and I moved to the UK and even though I had a British passport I had to wait and live here for 3 years before I could apply for a university grant. 

3 years turned to 5 and eventually, I became a restaurant manager, even getting an industry-related degree so it looked good on my CV.

I am at the age now where I can no longer endure 70-hour weeks, coming home at 5 in the morning after a 14-hour shift.

I have seen and experienced really shocking treatment towards staff in the hospitality trade. I have been made to feel undervalued, degraded, and useless at my job which no human being should ever experience.

When you spend more time at work than out of it you don't want to be miserable all the time. So, I decided to change my career and do something about unfair treatment in the workplace.

Being so mistreated in my previous job has inspired me to continue my learning and go into a department where I can ensure no one else gets mistreated the way I did.

I chose HR as I thought it would be a good sector to go into as I have spent so long working with people I wouldn't feel too out of my depth going into a completely different sector.

I chose a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma with ICS Learn as my sister is Head of HR Rewards for a global law firm and she recommended them to me as she has done a few online courses with them.  

Studying is going well so far. I've only been at it for a couple of weeks, but I have already been contacted by my tutor and I'm close to starting my first assessment.

I love how the course is designed to be done around full-time hours at work, so I can still support myself and manage my bills without taking such a massive pay decrease like I would've done going back to university (one of the factors that put me off of going back to learn the first time).

My goal is to gradually build my way up the HR ladder predominantly focusing on fair treatment of employees based on my past experiences of being mistreated in the workplace.

I look forward to this journey ahead and actually making a difference within the world of HR.

Are you like Leah and looking to make a career change? See what a 100% online CIPD HR qualification can do for you and your future.