I heard today that I passed my third paper for my CIPR Diploma in Public Relations. I distinguished myself with a Merit on my personal project which focused on MPs who write blogs, and how it relates to two-way communication and PR theory.
It is a post graduate qualification and taught me the strategic roles and functions of the public relations practitioner. I find my new knowledge of great value on top of my journalistic and social media skills.
I was the only student in my group who personally funded herself, everyone else was sponsored by their company. It meant I had to succeed.
It was much more demanding than expected, and now I am keen to put my new knowledge into practice and hope it will help promote me professionally.
I decided to study this course after completing a year’s PG Cert in Applied Social Science Research Methods, which I passed with distinction, as a precursor for a post graduate degree. I wasn’t sure what to do next and thought it made sense to study for a qualification which would benefit me professionally.
I do enjoy learning as a mature student, though sometimes I think I’m a sucker for punishment, that I should just switch off and relax at evenings and weekends. I also do it to be a role model for my boys, to encourage them to study, to show them that if I can do it, so can they. Nothing is impossible.
I’m now wondering when and how to continue my plans for an MPhil with the Open University, but I need to develop a proposal which will interest me. I’m thinking about studying Eastern European countries and the impact of them joining the EU, whether it has changed their identify and culture in any way, but I’m still working on it.
Maybe I should take a break for a year.
Update 5 December: I’ve just discovered that if you Google MCIPR, I am No 1 in the world. How neat is that?
Congrats on your diploma, Ellee.
Hi Ellee. Congrats. I’ve got nearly all my research done and just need to write up my findings and conclude.
Funny thing is, I’m also toying with the idea of further study….. is that such a good idea???
Simon, Good luck, I’m sure you will do well.
I would certainly say yes, go for it, regarding further study, knowledge is power. And do what you can before having kids. I always felt guilty at having to miss out on my sons’ football matches and asking them to turn the TV down so I could read my text books.
This was a much deserved achievement given that you have to earn your own living whilst studying, so double congratulations.
I’m in discussions to start at PhD (looking at career strategies in PR) at Bournemouth. I haven’t studied for about 6 years now (since taking a qualification in higher education teaching) and like you say, it seems to be a bug that you come back to.
I would take a year off and maybe then take the masters. Sounds a very interesting topic area – and you could certainly add in the communication angle too to build on the theories you have already studied.
I wouldn’t have met you or enjoyed blogging so much without your inspiration – so that’s been a great byproduct for me of you taking the Diploma last year.
Heather, thank you for everything too, I am in awe at your knowledge, I so enjoyed meeting you. Rachel was a great tutor and all the fellow students I met in Cambridge were wonderful, I shall miss them.
Congratulations Ellee.
As someone who has just failed my part-time PG certificate I know how much work these things involve. I’m not beaten yet, I’ll resubmit and go on to complete my MA yet.
Hypnocentre, Thank you too, I’m glad you are going to have another crack at it, and I so hope you meet your aspirations and achieve your MA. I always think I am my hardest task master, but we all know what we are capable of.
Ellee
Congratulations! You should be very proud, it’s a wonderful achievement, especially when working and looking after a family. Take pride in your success
Yours
James
Well done Ellee
Congratulations Ellee, well done. You deserve a break but it depends on whether you would find it hard to get back into it after the break, I guess.
Why not study the impact of globalisation, sustained economic growth and easy credit on political apathy?
Congrats by the way!
Well done Ellee, that’s fantastic news. As a mature student myself, and never having gone to university, I’m loving learning something new, related to my business – it’s a wonderful challenge. More!
Congratulations Ellee, very well done 🙂
Very many congratulations Ellee! Yes, you should definitely continue with the MPhil. It would be an interesting study and I could send you some economic research on that.
Well, Congratulations Elle!
PR Lady par excellence.
So did you see that bit in the news about Poles in the uk. Seems ‘coach & bus’ companies actually went to Poland to recruit & train drivers, and when they come over they are keen in their ‘dream’ jobs. I wonder how much a bus driver gets in Poland, and what his standard of living is – ie cost of rent (or mortgage), cost of clothing, leisure & food, especially meat.
Congratulations, Ellee! And as for the break, you should at least take off the rest of the week 🙂
Well done Ellee….. I admire anyone that studies as i could never do it.
Think you deserve a massage now 🙂
Cheezy, That’s very generous of you, many thanks. 😉
Sally, Yes, I certainly deserve a massage, I am very happy to be one of your pupils.
Many congratulations, Ellee! I am so happy for you.
Congratulations Ellee! I think you deserve a break, I just haven;t the brain to study.
Well done Ellee
Congratulations
“I’m thinking about studying Eastern European countries and the impact of them joining the EU, whether it has changed their identify and culture in any way, but I’m still working on it.”
I’d be happy to prepare a guest post to give you my twopenneth on this if you think that would be of interest.
many congratulations Ellee!
having just got a merit on the CRT paper, I’m looking ahead to the planning assignment and personal assignment with some trepidation, which makes me appreciate your achievement all the more..
[…] Hearty Congratulations to uber political blogger Ellee Seymour on passing her CIPR diploma. […]
Well done, Ellee.
I’m not surprised – I think you’re brilliant.
Congratulations Ellee!! You deserve to celebrate after all the hard work you’ve put in over the months.
Your post’s given me a motivation boost to complete my Advanced Certificate critique as a fellow self-funded student…
Serena, It’s lovely to hear from you, I know you can do it too, and best of luck to you.
[…] It’s been hard work so far, but it was nice to hear that Ellee, who started the diploma well before me, has passed her third paper on the course. […]