I love to talk, so much that I even built a business providing a service where I am speaking (or educating depending on your perspective!) but sometimes you just want to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth and hear from our former students.
This Q&A is with our former CIPS student Olivia Barber, who is smashing her career as a Senior Category Manager at a utility company. Olivia was such a fantastic student, and gained her MCIPS with Business Academy online, graduating in 2023.
Looking back, what do you wish you had known before starting your CIPS qualifications?
A better understanding of the different routes you can take to achieve MCIPS.
What study methods and strategies did you find most effective while preparing for CIPS exams?
For me, I really benefited from the individual learning objective videos and I took full advantage of any mock exams as I found these really useful testing my knowledge, including the previous exam answers on the CIPS website. I also wrote cue cards or revision notes of specific topics or theories and would get family members to test me.
Which module or topic did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome those challenges?
At the time I struggled with the modules which included financial ratios and stores/distribution centres as there were topics which I had limited experience in therefore struggled to relate to in order to write examples or to fully understand. I overcame this by seeking further support from Business Academy online for financial ratios and took my stores questions into my organisation to different teams to get them to talk me through the internal process and how it works within the business.
What aspects of the CIPS curriculum did you find most interesting or beneficial for your career?
I really enjoyed learning the different models around supplier relationship management as this is what helped to make a difference in my day job. I found these modules really helped me understand my suppliers and what relationships I needed to create with them based on their position.
What’s your favourite snack or drink to have while studying?
Pepsi max and a sandwich was my go-to studying meal.
If you could describe your CIPS journey in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Worth it– although it can be hard at the time whilst you are working, studying and balancing your normal home life, the knowledge and experience it provided me with has really helped accelerate my career and achieving MCIPS is still one of my proudest moments.
Would you recommend studying with Business Academy online?
I would highly recommend studying with Business Academy online and often do to my peers and workplace colleagues. I think the online platform is so convenient and user-friendly but then having the opportunity to have personal 1-2-1 help when needed is just great, especially for those harder modules. I love the level the videos and worksheets are presented at, and the anecdotal style of teaching really helped me remember certain scenarios during the exams.
Thanks, Olivia for taking the time to answer our questions and we wish you all the best with your future career success!
Interested in studying your CIPS qualifications with us or have colleagues who need CIPS Training? Then get in touch with me at info@businessacademy-online.com
Explore your options here and we look forward to hearing from you,