by Lamare, MSc Human Resource Management graduate.
Our MSc Human Resource Management graduate, Lamare, realised that to stand out in his career he needed more. He talks us through the challenges he’s overcome and why studying a master’s at UWE Bristol was the best decision he ever made. Keep reading to find out more about Lamare’s story.
Lamare’s story
My name is Lamare and I’m a Senior HR Advisor for Epson Europe, where I’ve been working for the last three years. I studied my undergraduate degree in Business Studies with Human Resource Management at UWE Bristol. Then two years later, I studied a part-time postgraduate degree in Human Resource Management.
I was always very interested in business studies from a young age – understanding economics, politics, philosophy, and the world of business. After considering Accounting and Finance at university, one of my A-level teachers suggested I might be interested in the people dynamic and how that works. So that led me to apply for business studies at a variety of universities.
Why UWE Bristol?
One of the universities I applied for was UWE Bristol, which appealed to me as I was from the area. Another selling point was that they offered a combination study programme. I could study my bachelor’s degree in business studies, and then choose an elective subject, which for me was human resource management.
I spent three to four years completing my degree. During that time, I was able to complete an internship at Intel Corporation, where I was a graduate recruiter. That was a great experience to have at a young age, and I liked that the degree allowed me to do a placement year. I got my 2:1 at the end of that, and I went into a graduate role for Caterpillar.
Why I chose postgraduate study
When I started to work for Caterpillar, I realised I needed more to stand out from the crowd. I wanted to join the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, which requires you to be qualified to a certain level. I was always looking at postgraduate study, and I decided to return to UWE Bristol.
The reason why I chose UWE Bristol again was that I found studying there modern and easy – it was always growing and changing. I also really loved the city and the people. I’m a UWE Bristol boy at heart. That’s what led me to study my Human Resources Management Master’s at UWE Bristol.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t studied my master’s at UWE Bristol.”
What I enjoyed about studying part-time
I studied my master’s part-time while working around 40 hours a week in my job. On a Wednesday, I would finish work at midday and then travel to campus for my lectures and studying. I did that for nearly two years and then in the final half of the year, I finished my master’s degree.
What I enjoyed most about studying part-time was being surrounded by people who were working too, and already had experience within HR. Usually, when you study full time, you’re in a room with people who have just finished their undergraduate degree. So the people on my course and the breadth of experience they shared with the class was profound.
The challenges I overcame to study at university
The biggest challenge I faced during my studies was the worry that there weren’t going to be many people like me, a black male from a non-traditional family. I didn’t have a father, so my mum raised me. And a lot of people in my family didn’t reach that level of education. Fortunately, the people at UWE Bristol were from a mix of cultures and diverse backgrounds, which was really positive.
Throughout my studies, I also struggled with exams. I spoke to my lecturers and peers to get their advice on how they’d tackle exams. This helped me to find a style that worked for me – entering the exam room when everyone was seated. In that moment, I was able to get over the nervousness, because I had no choice. That approach and the hard work I put in allowed me to get the grade I needed.
What my postgraduate study meant to me
I enjoyed my Master’s in Human Resource Management because I got to learn about the psychology of people at work in more detail. I found it interesting learning about how people approach different emotional situations at work, from different perspectives. The highlight was meeting like-minded students who shared the same passion I did for learning about people.
After studying for two and a half years, I finished my master’s with a merit. I was then able to become a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development within two months of my graduation. That was one of the key benefits of studying my qualification at UWE Bristol – I knew it’d add value to my job applications and make me more attractive in the employment market.
“Once I achieved everything that I set out to achieve, I was surprised I felt so normal. It was like it was supposed to happen that way.”
My advice to future students
The main thing I learned from my journey was to reassure myself that I wasn’t alone in my situation, or on the course on my own. When I went through challenging times, I panicked in the moment, hoping I was getting it right. When I reflected back, I realised that was a short feeling – a feeling that didn’t last forever.
When I completed my master’s, I felt really satisfied and kept pushing myself. The anxiety and stress of the exams was short term pain for long term gain. I think that was the whole point in studying my postgraduate degree in the first place. It’s meant to be challenging and push you beyond what you think is possible.
Listen to Lamare’s full podcast on our Shout out to the Brave Podcast webpage.