Reflecting on achieving CIPR Chartership: A personal journey

Having achieved my Chartership status with the CIPR at the end of May, I wanted to quickly jot down my thoughts and experiences while they are fresh in my mind. I hope this will support others considering this milestone in their professional journey.

For a long time, I grappled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Even up until the moment I was logging in for the assessment, I questioned whether Chartership was for me. As a marketing communication professional, I often talked myself out of it, thinking I wasn't a pure PR professional. 

However, talking to other chartered professionals who had been through the process really helped. 

Sitting on, and now chairing, the CIPR East Anglia committee also provided invaluable support. I had many people to talk to and had a front-row seat to several chartership events that we organised for our local membership. 

So, if you are thinking of going for chartership, find yourself a buddy and speak to people to get a range of viewpoints, everyone I spoke to had a different experience.

Preparing for the Chartership assessment

You receive the case studies for your assessment around two weeks before the assessment date. These case studies cover three crucial areas: ethics, leadership, and strategy. It's important to read the case studies, but my personal advice is not to get too caught up in them and the starter questions you're given. 

I did try to make notes for each question in a OneNote, but listening to the advice I was given, I was more focused on thinking of examples from my own practice that fit the general theme of the case studies and questions. 

This is what the assessors want to see: how you have applied, or would apply, your experience in the real world.

Assessment day

On the day of the assessment, I was in a very small group of only three people. Many might see this as a drawback since a smaller group leaves nowhere to hide. However, I used this to my advantage. I saw it as more time to get my views and experiences across and to engage in good discussions with my fellow candidates, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The hour for each of the three assessment sessions flew by.

The biggest lesson I learned throughout the day was to trust myself and my knowledge, putting those doubting voices to the back of my mind. Don't rely too heavily on your notes. During the third session on strategy, I felt I had fluffed it when I was asked a question. I knew I had made a couple of bullet points on it, but while trying to find them in my OneNote, I got tongue-tied and lost my train of thought. So, I closed my OneNote and just went for it, managing to bring myself back on track.

Professional PR experience

Achieving CIPR Chartership has been a profound experience for me. It challenged me to confront my insecurities, trust in my professional experience, and engage deeply with my peers. 

For anyone considering Chartership, I highly recommend speaking with those who have been through the process, leveraging your network, and most importantly, believing in your capabilities. The journey might be daunting, but the personal and professional rewards are immensely gratifying, plus when you get that pass it is a huge boost to your confidence.

James Sharp is senior communications manager (design and digital) at Mid and South Essex NHS and a chartered PR.