Essex law firm HR adviser has exam success

Leonie Dolling, HR adviser at Essex law firm, Birkett Long, has passed her CIPD level 7 post graduate diploma in human resource management.

Leonie has been studying for the past two years and had to undertake various written and practical assignments in addition to exams whilst working full-time, requiring a lot of dedication and commitment.

Leonie left school with A-levels and went on to study a BA in film studies at university. Although she got a first, she knew early on that TV and film was not right for her, it was more of a hobby. She helped a friend for a few weeks in an HR role and knew this was an area that interested her straight away. Birkett Long gave Leonie the opportunity to join the firm as an Administrator, with only a month’s worth of HR experience, and she has been given many opportunities since.

Leonie studied part-time and Birkett Long provided her with the opportunity to attend the University of Suffolk one day per week to enable her to complete her studies. The course was over two years, consisting of different coursework based modules, a residential course, a management research report, portfolio plus two exams.

As the Chartered Institute of Professional Development is a recognised professional body, the qualifications that she has gained enabled her to enhance her theoretical and practical knowledge, whilst also learning on the course from other HR professionals. Leonie has had the opportunity to progress within the firm, having recently been promoted to an HR adviser.

Leonie says: “I anticipate that my responsibilities will continue to grow as I now feel I have the knowledge and skills to be a trusted adviser to the firm. The support I have received throughout the past two years has been invaluable. Not only did Birkett Long fund the course, they afforded me the time away from the office one day per week, in addition to study time. Not only this, I was given opportunities to widen my experience within the workplace as I was completing the diploma. My team especially has given me so much support and I am extremely grateful. As part of my dissertation, I had to do a management research report. I sampled 10 people from within the firm who all took part in my research. I got a distinction in this module, so would like to thank everyone who contributed.”

Leonie has always enjoyed working at Birkett Long for the people, the vision and the opportunities. Leonie likes that Birkett Long is not afraid to try new things and would like to continue to learn and grow in her current role, whilst gaining further exposure to HR Management and progressing up the HR ladder.