Jordan Workman
MSc International Human Resource Management, 2022
About me
- Employee Relations Specialist and HR Business Partner at Stellantis
- MSc International Human Resource Management, 2022
- Contact me on LinkedIn
ABOUT MY CAREER
I chose Manchester Met as it offered a great online learning environment as well as amazing facilities onsite with welcoming lecturers and support teams.
I secured a 12-month placement at Volvo Group UK (that ended up being extended to 14 months) during my studies. It gave me my first real exposure to Human Resources and an insight into the corporate world. I would never be where I am today so soon in my career without completing my placement year. I still keep in touch with my colleagues over 6 years later, which is testament to how welcome I was made to feel on my placement. I even got to the top 3 in the UK of CIPD HR students during my placement year at their annual awards ceremony! I would 100% recommend a work placement to current students.
Since graduating, I continue to work for my current employer, Stellantis, which is a global automotive manufacturer and retailer. I was in a people management role where I was responsible for a multi-million-pound payroll team within the HR department. My current role is as an Employee Relations Specialist and HR Business Partner. This role combines strategic HR Management with Operational HR activities. My main responsibilities include working with senior stakeholders across the UK and overseas in Europe and America to provide a professional and compliant HR service, liaise with trade unions and employee forums, as well as dealing with day-to-day employee relation matters for over 5000 employees across the UK.
The MSc International Human Resource Management I gained from Manchester Met has equipped me with a greater insight into cross-cultural ways of working and furthered my ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from all over the world. This greater understanding enabled me to become a more prominent people leader within my organisation. Other key skills I gained included critical analysis and to always look for alternative interpretations of scenarios to better identify elements of risk and opportunity in the workplace. These skills directly benefit my daily work as I can comfortably work with colleagues from across the world and of all levels in the workplace to overcome operational challenges and ensure a greater level of compliance with local legislation.
MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS IS
Do not undervalue your own experience or ability just because someone else does not see your potential. If not you, then who?
I’M INSPIRED BY
The 10-year-old me who refused to accept being told by a Deputy Head Teacher to “lower your career aspirations” because of where I lived and what school I went to. And, by every other person who has had to defy expectations and overcome challenges.
WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET
I loved the support from the academic team who were passionate about their topics. The aspect I most appreciate is how even post-graduation some of the lecturers keep in touch and support my achievements via LinkedIn.