The CIPD as your Career Partner

About this event

Early career: Part of our early career stream of monthly events for people at the start of their journey in HR, L&D or OD.

It's common to feel unsure about your direction early in your career, wondering where your strengths lie and how to progress with purpose.

In this session, we'll bring the CIPD Profession Map to life, showing how you can actively use it to help shape your own career journey. As your career partner, CIPD is here to support you every step of the way, helping you turn uncertainty into clarity and potential into performance

About this event

Starting out in the people profession can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. With so many possible career paths across HR, learning and development, organisational development and people management, it's not always clear where to focus your efforts or how to take the next step.

That's where the CIPD can help.

As your professional body and career partner, we're here to support you throughout your career, providing access to trusted guidance, practical tools, professional networks and learning opportunities designed to help you grow with confidence.

This exclusive session for CIPD members will introduce you to the CIPD Profession Map and show how it can be used as a practical tool to help you understand your strengths, identify development opportunities and make informed decisions about your future career.

Whether you're just starting your first role, studying towards a qualification or looking to build confidence in your next career move, this session will help you take control of your professional development and make the most of the support available through your CIPD membership.

You'll also have the opportunity to connect with other early career professionals who are facing similar challenges, building valuable relationships and learning from the experiences of others across the profession.

What we'll cover

• How CIPD supports members throughout their careers through learning, guidance, resources, networks and professional recognition.
• How to use the CIPD Profession Map to understand your strengths and identify development opportunities.
• Exploring the different career paths available across the people profession.
• Understanding the knowledge, behaviours and skills needed to progress your career.
• Building a personal development plan that helps you move forward with confidence.
• Making the most of your CIPD membership and professional network.

What you'll take away

By attending this session, you'll:

• Understand how CIPD can support you as a career partner throughout your professional journey.
• Gain confidence in using the Profession Map to guide your development and career planning.
• Better understand the opportunities available within the people profession.
• Be able to identify your strengths, development needs and next steps.
• Feel more confident discussing your career aspirations and development goals with managers, mentors and future employers.
• Build connections with other CIPD members at a similar stage of their career.

About the Early Career series

Starting a career in the people profession is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you're taking your first steps in HR, L&D or OD, building confidence in a new role, or exploring where your career could take you next, the Early Career series is here to support you.

Exclusively for CIPD members, this series brings together people professionals at the start of their careers to learn from experts, hear from experienced practitioners and connect with others facing similar opportunities and challenges. Through practical learning, honest conversations and peer support, you'll gain insights that can help you navigate your career with greater confidence.

As your professional body, the CIPD is more than a membership organisation. We're your career partner, supporting you throughout your career with expert guidance, professional development, valuable resources and access to a supportive community of people professionals.

Each session is designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, behaviours and connections that will support your future success, giving you the confidence to make informed career decisions and develop your professional potential. Whether you're looking to grow in your current role, explore new opportunities or simply connect with others in the profession, the Early Career series is here to help you take the next step.

Speakers

Oli Howard, Head of Membership and Product Portfolio, CIPD

Louise Brown, FCIPD CEO & Founder, BRAVElou®
Author of Bold, Brave, Brilliant!
NLP Coach | CIPD Global HR30 List 2026

Louise Brown is a published author, TEDx speaker, NLP coach and thought leader who speaks candidly about self-belief, leadership and the courage it takes to claim your place. She is the author of Bold, Brave, Brilliant!, which is rooted in lived experience.

‘If you’re wondering how far your CIPD journey can take you, I'm living proof that the answer is: all the way!’

Cecilia Ellis, Deputy Head of Department, Reader/Associate Professor in HRM, People and Performance, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Jamie Bard, Graduate MoL

Jamie Bald, HR Manager at Torishima - L5 Student of the year and Graduate from our Platinum provider MOL. Currently working towards L7