For Sami, choosing to study Human Resource Management (HRM) at BCU was an easy decision. As the only university in Birmingham offering a focused HRM degree, it has provided valuable opportunities and experiences to grow both personally and professionally.
Why study Human Resource Management at BCU?
After making the decision to change career, I did extensive research into universities I wanted to study at. I chose BCU because it was the only university in Birmingham to offer a pure HRM degree. I knew I was passionate and focused on HR as my new career, so it made sense to study a pure degree. As part of my research, I found out that former students and lecturers were now at the forefront of the HR scene in the UK. This influenced me and motivated me to also make my own mark after I graduated.
What led you to study Human Resource Management?
The golden thread running through my experience of work was people-related skills. Communication, inter-personal interaction, collaboration and team-work were areas of employment I had experienced, and this led me to pursuing a career in people management. I believed I had transferrable skills which I could apply in my HR career. The university option suited me because I knew BCU offered a holistic education. Also, BCU is one of the best universities in the UK to study HRM.
Human Resource Management
Find out more about our course
What have been your most favourite topics to study so far, and why?
My favourite modules have been those that complement my core HRM studies. For example, marketing, personal branding and global manager. I feel confident in marketing myself, my brand and attracting the attention of potential employers before I graduate. These modules also resulted me in being able to find opportunities to apply my classroom knowledge in real-world situations, both nationally and internationally.
How have your lecturers prepared you for life after BCU?
BCU HRM lecturers are outstanding in their support for students. Since day one, lecturers have told us about opportunities to make ourselves stand out from students at other universities. An example of this is when I was asked by CIPD to be a Community Champion in my second year of study. They noticed how proactive and passionate I was about the HR profession, which was thanks to encouragement from my lecturers.
Have you had much experience of working with students from other courses within the business school?
The nature of the HRM course is such that in each year of study there is at least one, or two, modules per academic year that involve study alongside students from other courses within the business school. I had the privilege and pleasure of working on tasks with business management and marketing students. This gave me experience of collaboration, communication and team-work from different perspectives, which I am grateful for. I would like to add that this experience included both home students and international students, which I value as a HR professional interested in global perspectives.
What career path are you planning to take after graduation?
My goal is to become a leader in the HR profession. I have demonstrated leadership throughout my studies, which I intend to build upon when I graduate and secure a graduate HR role. I am applying for graduate schemes and believe I will be offered a place on at least one of them. My long-term goal is to give back to BCU when I gain enough experience in my HR career. I want to mentor future HRM students and see BCU HR alumni also lead the way in the HR profession.