Hi Amandeep,

I'm a HR Manager with 2 years' HR experience, so I've been learning on the job. I recently undertook the Level 5 Diploma which was interesting and a helpful grounding, but the level I didn't find too challenging and with hindsight I could've gone straight in to study for the Level 7.

I think the most important thing is making sure you choose a course provider that suits you - my lecturer at a local college was fantastic, there was a lot of contact time, and he went above and beyond to make sure everyone got as much out of it as possible. They also had support for students with specific learning difficulties.

Best of luck, whichever option you choose.

Emily

In reply to Amandeep Jaswal:

Amandeep, I really admire that you are trying to find out if you can do this course before you start. I am Dyslexic and when I studied for Level 7 I had a full time job running a HR team, studying part time and looking after a baby so I know about not having time to socialise. What helped me was being a manager already in the HR field. It was probably one of the hardest things I did because I did the L7 via long distance learning part time and it was very challenging with all my other commitments. At the time I was also leading on a major organisational restructure at work and with a baby I hardly slept. But it was worth it in the end. I also hid my Dyslexia so I did n`t have any help for my disability, but I found that family friends and my CIPD tutor helped and supported me so I was able to achieve my goal. I`m not saying everything is honky dory because it is hard, but only you can make the decision to do the course either L7 Or L5. But whatever you decide I am willing to help you and I am sure our other comrades will also.

In reply to Peter Stanway:

Agreed 100% Peter

In reply to Grace Hackman:

Thank you so much

In reply to Steve Bridger:

Hi Steve, thank you. To be honest when I posted on here I thought I would be lucky to get a response but what I have received from the community here is amazing. People have been so kind, have share their personal experiences, given great advice and support and also given me the confidence to make such a big decision in my life. I am so grateful that this community exists and cannot thank these amazing people enough. Steve, as the manager you should be very proud of this platform, if you are not already, which I am sure you are.

In reply to Priya Gandhi:

Hi Priya, thank you I completed it 5 years ago now hence I am debating whether I still got it in me to do the Level 7. Well done to you as well for completing your Level 7, you must be so proud of yourself for being on the other side. Thank you for your kind words and motivation. I definitely will be utilising the support from the tutors, its like you said that's what they are there for so why not. And you are 100% right they want us to succeed just as much as we do. Good luck in your career, utilise what you have learnt as much as possible.

In reply to Peter Stanway:

Wow Peter that is amazing that you teach Employment Law at Level 7. What an accomplishment! I always say to myself if I can conquer Employment Law my life/role would be so much better. It is great to know that you don't feel dyslexia will hold me back and that it is more the willingness to work that much harder to get through. That is exactly what got me through my Masters in Occupational Psychology, I knew I had to find a way to make it work because I wanted it so much and that is exactly what I am going to do now so thank you for reminding me this.

In reply to Stephen Capewell:

Hi Stephen, well done for completing your MA, that is amazing! I have all my dyslexia documents together and ready although when I was assessed I don't think the thing with the colours was released as I only found out about it a few years later. Thank you for suggesting the other ways I can gain support as I had not even thought about them. My main thing has always been about getting extra time as time is my biggest issue due to having to read, re-read, read again and read some more, then break it down, then understand it etc. Then the writing part being I know what I want to say but not how to say it, structuring and summarising, and it goes on. I will definitely look into the ideas you have given me and see how I can make use of this too to help me. Thank you so much. Good luck with your career.

In reply to Caroline Veronica De Silva:

Hi Caroline, I really don't have a choice as the worst case scenario for me will be to start it and realise I got into the deep end without doing my research and its too late and I can't cope and then I give up. I know the result of giving up would mean I would end up stressed and depressed and not being able to cope because I would feel like my dyslexia has held me back and I can't do what everyone else can. I have felt that many times and I do not want to be back there. I want to move onwards and upwards and to do that I know I need to do a CIPD, and as a matter of fact I WANT to do a CIPD. As you can probably see now this is more to me than just a course, this is my future and my confidence. I cannot tell you how proud I feel knowing you had your dyslexia, a full time job running a team and looked after your baby and still did the Level 7 and completed it. A well done seems too small and no words can describe how amazing that is. I can't believe that you hid your dyslexia and didn't gain any support for it. I can understand why you hid it though as I did for many years but learnt to accept it because it is a part of me and accepted that unfortunately it will never go away. I learnt the hard way to rise above it and find ways that worked for me as you probably did too but I cant even begin to imagine how tough that must have been for you. Nevertheless, you got through it and you should be extremely proud of yourself. Thank you so much for offering to support me, I may have to take you up on that offer haha! I really hope you see the fruits of all your hard work because you truly deserve it and I'm sure your little one will be so proud when he/she knows how hard you have worked to get to where you are today.

In reply to Amandeep Jaswal:

Hi Amandeep, Thank you so much for you kind words, your words mean more to me then you realsie. I can see that you have the determination not to have anything holding you back and if I can do it so can you. I want to encourage you if you want to go ahead. And the offer of help is truly given. The fruits that I have been given have been abundant since I did my Level 7 and now my career has gone way beyond Level 7. This opened so many doors for me and that baby I had is now 26. She saw how having a professional qualification helped me in my career and this has led her to gain a degree and a Masters both in Biological Science. And guess what? her Dyslexia is worse than mine - she did n`t have any help either and I realise you know how difficult it is to read a Degree and Masters in Science if you are Dyslexic. During her journey we both cried tears of blood, but she did it and today I am very proud of her. I put it all down to the decisions I made to take the hard road and gain my qualifications in the field I love ie the CPP, Grad CIPD and by practising at a senior level for more than 10 years. She saw this as an example and was encouraged by this just as you are by all your friends in this community. You are coming up behind us and when you fall we will lift you up. So I wish you all the very best for your future career and as one of our comrades said in another forum. You are not alone.

In reply to Amandeep Jaswal:

Hi Amandeep - we're constantly humbled by the peer-to-peer support we witness here every single day. To be honest, some posts move me greatly and I have many examples of how seemingly small things have make a massive difference to an individual and what route they choose to take next - whether it be a task or project at work... or a life-changing personal decision. I've stuck here for so long (14 years) because I think I'm lucky to help members and people who want to enter the profession discover each other. The platform is not perfect, we know that... but it does provide a 'space' for some good things to happen. I refer to those moments as 'stuff that tingles' :)

In reply to Caroline Veronica De Silva:

Caroline it looks like we have both been touched by eachothers words in this forum and I honestly cannot thank you enough for showing me the way and giving me courage. I can't believe your baby is now 26 with a degree and a masters! Well done for not only doing so well in your own education and professional life but also showing her the way and giving her the strength to do it too. You are an amazing person Caroline and should be ever so proud of yourself and your daughter. I have decided to take up the Level 7 and will let you know how it goes. Wish me luck ahhhh!!!

In reply to Steve Bridger:

You really are extremely lucky to witness such great movements. I really hope this continues and you get to witness it grow better and better. If there is anything i can do to help please let me know.

In reply to Amandeep Jaswal:

Amandeep, So proud of you. Wishing you good luck and remember let me know if you have any questions or need any help.

In reply to Caroline Veronica De Silva:

Thank you