MOD – A place of opportunities

Hi, I’m Elle and 17 years ago I joined MOD as an Administrative Assistant. I remember being totally in awe of those in higher grades than me, thinking that I would never know as much as they did or be able to do a job like theirs. Fast forward to today, and I have worked through those grades I admired so much and gained so much experience and knowledge, yet there are still so many opportunities open to me to continue to develop and learn.

My career in MOD has given me the ability to work in various functions starting as an administrator in a commercial team, to working in a personnel role providing support to soldiers’ families during times of crisis, to now as a HR professional. I would never have been able to transfer between these functions and learn so much had I not been working for MOD. It is due to this flexibility I was able to discover my passion for HR.

In 2019, I took the opportunity to complete a HR apprenticeship. This helped to validate all the skills and knowledge that I had developed up until then, whilst teaching me more. Completing the apprenticeship provided me with a globally recognised qualification and professional membership to the CIPD. This would not have been possible if it were not for the encouragement I had from my manager and wider team, supporting me to be able to use 20% of my working time to focus on my apprenticeship. Since then, I was privileged to be offered a place on a Female Leadership Summit which was one of the most insightful and encouraging learning and development opportunities I have ever experienced.

Aside from the many development opportunities, MOD has enabled me to volunteer to assist with initiatives in local schools interviewing and providing feedback to their Year 10 students, helping to prepare them for future job interviews. This is something I really enjoy taking part in, aided by the knowledge that my employer encourages and supports me in this with the Volunteering Days available to MOD Civil Servants.

MOD also provides me with an excellent work life balance, which as a mum of two is essential. Working flexibly and with the ability to work both at home and in the office, I am able to manage my time to ensure that I can be the best parent I can whilst also making sure I am being the best employee I can be.

When I joined 17 years ago, I would never have envisaged where I would be now. Today I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 17 years brings!