Hope Douglas

Tell us about your degree - why did you choose it? What elements of the degree inspired you to study it?
I had just finished my undergraduate degree at Leeds and was looking to pursue a career in HR. I was keen to do a Masters course which would give me the knowledge and skills I needed to thrive in an HR position after graduating. Being able to do my CIPD qualification whilst studying HR was really appealing and definitely helped me with transitioning into work after graduation.

What was the best part of your studies here? What did you enjoy the most about your course?
Leeds is a fantastic university with brilliant facilities, a great community and lots of opportunities, both academically and socially. The high quality of teaching and research at Leeds and the opportunity to learn from experts in their field is great. I found the diverse range of topics covered on the course really interesting and felt it gave me a good basis for going into a generalist HR role after graduating.

What was your impression/experience of the student union, the city of Leeds and Yorkshire? Did you do any extracurricular activities during your studies? How did you enhance your personal development? What would you recommend to future students?
I really loved living in Leeds and decided to stay in the city after my undergraduate degree. I worked and volunteered in Leeds during my time at the University and it was great to get to know the city too. Leeds is a great place to live, there’s good music, nightlife and culture, a big student community and I loved exploring more of Yorkshire too. 

How did your experiences at Leeds University Business School help you to advance your career?
I gained the opportunity, through a programme with Leeds University Business School alumni, to undertake research for my dissertation with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. I did primary research interviewing employees to understand learning and development approaches in the organisation. Through my research and interacting with members of staff in the department, I also gained an understanding of how the Civil Service operates. It was a brilliant experience to work with an organisation whilst still studying and I gained valuable skills and insights. When I graduated, I applied for and secured a position in an HR Policy role at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.  

How has your career progressed since leaving the Business School? Have there been any notable highlights?
After two years working in an HR Policy role after graduating, I secured a promotion to Strategic Workforce Planning Lead. I was able to bring in and put into practice the theory and principles I had studied during my HRM Masters in the role.

What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is to become an HR Business Partner. I work in the Civil Service and work closely with HR Business Partners in my role in workforce planning. The wide-ranging role of business partnering appeals to me as I’m interested in how HR interacts and aligns with the wider organisation.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in a similar role or industry to you?
I would really recommend a generalist HR role as an entry to a career in the industry. I worked in HR Policy as my first role and gained valuable insights into key people management issues across the board. Working on casework, employment relations, writing policies, diversity and inclusion and employment law, I found a wide-ranging generalist role a great place to start to gain experience and discover what interests me most.  

What is your defining memory of studying here? Would you recommend the Business School to others?Definitely the amazing people I met and worked with whilst studying at Leeds, both in my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Whilst my Masters year was mainly virtual (2021), I was lucky to spend several years studying at Leeds and I have very fond memories of being on campus with friends.

What advice would you give to students to help them get the most out of their time in Leeds?
I would say to get involved in the local community too, whether it’s through joining clubs or groups or volunteering.