Chartered CIPD - what is it equivalent to?

I've only just noticed this thread and have been reading with interest!  It's a subject dear to my heart as one of my greatest regrets is the choice I made many years ago between doing a degree or doing my CIPD, when offered sponsorship by Tesco.  I chose the degree and thoroughly enjoyed gaining my BSc in Psychology, most of which included getting 1sts in modules on occupational psychology, experimental psychology, research, psychometrics, systems thinking and so on (which are lots of things which have come in handy working in HR, and none of which can be counted towards CIPD).

It hasn't been a problem until recent years, and previously I wouldn't have changed a thing, but now I find that I am not valued in my chosen profession of the past 27 years because I am not CIPD qualified.  When returning to the profession after a break with my children I end up having to take a lowly assistant job on half the salary I used to earn. Thankfully, I have been promoted twice and am now back to the level I was before (albeit temporarily), as I have been able to prove what I know and what I can do.  But still that holy grail of being thought of at MCIPD level eludes me (well, at the moment, any way!). The deadline of needing to complete my PAC by Dec 2013 is weighing heavily at the moment - I love my work and I like to spend my time outside work researching the issues I face 'here and now' so that I can make a valuable contribution to the organisation I work for (and this forum is invaluable for that).  I don't like having to keep on documenting what I have done over the years (as I have to do for the PAC) in order to prove that I can match someone who has been to night school for a couple of years.  It's a bit frustrating to think that when I get MCIPD it probably won't mean much in comparison to other professions.  It should, in my mind, show that not only am I academically comparable to a post grad, but also that I have the practical experience to do the job competently. 

Anyway, rant over.  I should have gone to night school for a couple of years!   I think I might file some more documents in my PAC portfolio before going to sleep tonight!   When I do get MCIPD, I will post a "cheer" on here! 

I've only just noticed this thread and have been reading with interest!  It's a subject dear to my heart as one of my greatest regrets is the choice I made many years ago between doing a degree or doing my CIPD, when offered sponsorship by Tesco.  I chose the degree and thoroughly enjoyed gaining my BSc in Psychology, most of which included getting 1sts in modules on occupational psychology, experimental psychology, research, psychometrics, systems thinking and so on (which are lots of things which have come in handy working in HR, and none of which can be counted towards CIPD).

It hasn't been a problem until recent years, and previously I wouldn't have changed a thing, but now I find that I am not valued in my chosen profession of the past 27 years because I am not CIPD qualified.  When returning to the profession after a break with my children I end up having to take a lowly assistant job on half the salary I used to earn. Thankfully, I have been promoted twice and am now back to the level I was before (albeit temporarily), as I have been able to prove what I know and what I can do.  But still that holy grail of being thought of at MCIPD level eludes me (well, at the moment, any way!). The deadline of needing to complete my PAC by Dec 2013 is weighing heavily at the moment - I love my work and I like to spend my time outside work researching the issues I face 'here and now' so that I can make a valuable contribution to the organisation I work for (and this forum is invaluable for that).  I don't like having to keep on documenting what I have done over the years (as I have to do for the PAC) in order to prove that I can match someone who has been to night school for a couple of years.  It's a bit frustrating to think that when I get MCIPD it probably won't mean much in comparison to other professions.  It should, in my mind, show that not only am I academically comparable to a post grad, but also that I have the practical experience to do the job competently. 

Anyway, rant over.  I should have gone to night school for a couple of years!   I think I might file some more documents in my PAC portfolio before going to sleep tonight!   When I do get MCIPD, I will post a "cheer" on here!