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Original poster

What qualifications have made a difference to you?

16 replies

Chopchopbusybusyworkwork · 03/08/2023 20:38

I’m a bit bored at work and was wondering if a qualification of some sort would help kick start my dull corporate existence.

What qualifications have you done that have really made an impact for you?

I’m in a really broad role that covers governance, supply chain, process design and oversight, training development & delivery, change management, project management, strategy design. Big multinational with multiple UK operational sites.

I have so many options I don’t know which way to turn! I like all the elements of my job I’ve listed so it’s not a case of an easy choice to develop just one.

I’ve got a degree and line management experience but currently in a specialist type role (even though it’s v broad as per list!)

Any ideas?

OP posts:
wineandsun · 03/08/2023 21:10

No advice but following as in a similar broad role.

FinallyHere · 03/08/2023 21:37

My background is in technology. Being sponsored on an MBA changed my outlook on life massively. My fellow students and colleagues all noticed my changed outlook.

Curiously in this case, I ended up in a programme management in a large corporate.

More relevantly I've changed from being quite uptight to the person who occasionally says amusing things and is a bit of a life snd soul kind of person. Much much more like my out of work persona.

Hope you find what works for you. .

BingoBastards · 03/08/2023 21:44

ITIL might be good

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

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Original poster
Chopchopbusybusyworkwork · 04/08/2023 08:02

@FinallyHere i have looked at an MBA. Cost is prohibitive though- my employer doesn’t support people to do this sadly. I am also a bit worried about the amount of time it would take- I would have to do it part time and as a single parent with 3 kids this concerns me. I think I need to find something that takes a maximum of 12 months. Have looked at a few other postgrad options eg certificates and diplomas.

@BingoBastards ITIL- IT and systems are things I’ve never really touched. Do you think it would have value still?

@wineandsun I’m glad to find someone else who does a mishmash of things! I really enjoy my job because of the variety but it makes it quite difficult to move. What sort of roles would you be suited for elsewhere do you think?

OP posts:
Lolalacava · 04/08/2023 08:14

Similar mishmash… ITIL is transferable to different areas, but more about tech/IT. What about Lean/Six Sigma or leadership courses? There are usually certifications for your particular area of governance too.
I’ve found Coursera and Udemy useful and affordable for doing relevant and affordable courses.

wineandsun · 04/08/2023 08:21

I've been very focused on ITIL, my last role was a mix of incident mgt, change mgt, problem mgt. In my new company I started in a service mgt role but now combined with working on projects. I think any role in this field always ends up a bit of a mix and I can't seem to step away from it.

Curlyshabtree · 04/08/2023 08:33

Passing my GCSE Maths aged 52. Such a confidence boost!

Singleandproud · 04/08/2023 08:44

This is a really interesting thread OP.

I've not started it yet but my employer is keen for me to do a project management course. That seems like it will have lots of transferable skills and would link with your current role.

WildAbandon · 04/08/2023 08:55

APM level 4 (project management) gave me a second career path later in life. Boring as hell though.

LunaTheCat · 04/08/2023 08:58

Curlyshabtree · 04/08/2023 08:33

Passing my GCSE Maths aged 52. Such a confidence boost!

Oh that’s lovely , congratulations!

FinallyHere · 04/08/2023 09:04

WildAbandon · 04/08/2023 08:55

APM level 4 (project management) gave me a second career path later in life. Boring as hell though.

Great thread, it's so amazing to see how different people and situations have such different experiences.

My role is generally a PM one, I find it fascinating. For me, it's an excuse to find out what everyone else is doing and never actually do anything myself. 🤭

Over the years, I've been involved with lots of projects, incl some time on secondment training Project Managers. I think that the things you can teach people (or learn on a course) while perhaps the basics, are not necessarily the things that will actually get stuff done.

Asked my boss over a drink a while back how they saw my role, given I don't actually do anything. He laughed and said it was to 'make sh*t happen'. I'll take that gladly.

WildAbandon · 04/08/2023 09:17

FinallyHere · 04/08/2023 09:04

Great thread, it's so amazing to see how different people and situations have such different experiences.

My role is generally a PM one, I find it fascinating. For me, it's an excuse to find out what everyone else is doing and never actually do anything myself. 🤭

Over the years, I've been involved with lots of projects, incl some time on secondment training Project Managers. I think that the things you can teach people (or learn on a course) while perhaps the basics, are not necessarily the things that will actually get stuff done.

Asked my boss over a drink a while back how they saw my role, given I don't actually do anything. He laughed and said it was to 'make sh*t happen'. I'll take that gladly.

Show quote history

Relatable! I meant the qualification was boring to study for. The work, as you say, is varied. I feel like I’m doing not very much at all yet others say I’m moving things along. It’s puzzling.

FinallyHere · 04/08/2023 09:27

glad to hear I'm not alone @WildAbandon

JennyForeigner · 04/08/2023 09:35

Just to say that lean and project management are offered free as government skills bootcamps. They are about an hour a night commitment, though I'm doing one atm which is completely manage your own time and much prefer it.

I did a project management one while mostly wfh with young kids. It hasn't changed my life but employers have been super warm about it. Surprisingly so.

Lolalacava · 04/08/2023 14:19

wineandsun · 04/08/2023 08:21

I've been very focused on ITIL, my last role was a mix of incident mgt, change mgt, problem mgt. In my new company I started in a service mgt role but now combined with working on projects. I think any role in this field always ends up a bit of a mix and I can't seem to step away from it.

Are you me?! I’ve worked in all these areas and did a similar pivot - don’t meet many of us in the wild 🤓

Original poster
Chopchopbusybusyworkwork · 07/08/2023 20:52

@JennyForeigner the boot camps look great! Thank you for sharing that, some really useful areas covered 👍🏻👍🏻

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