From hospitality to Human Resource Management – a journey of growth

Annie Budd
MSc Human Resource Management

I’ve always been drawn to people focused environments; this interest initially led me to study a BA (Hons) in Events Management with Hospitality at the University of Essex. This, in turn, led me into my career in the hospitality industry. Over the past five years, I’ve worked in a range of restaurant management roles, gaining experience in leading busy service teams, coordinating events and managing staff.

Alongside my studies, I currently work part time as an Assistant Restaurant Manager which allows me to continue to develop professionally alongside my academic work. This passion for leadership and supporting others is what inspired me to return to the University of Essex.

I decided to continue my education because I want to develop my skills and knowledge in HR. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I discovered how much I enjoy learning in an academic environment, especially when the teaching felt so supportive and inclusive. In primary and secondary school, I often felt that I wasn’t particularly academic, and I worried that university wasn’t for me. However, my undergraduate experience completely changed that. The feedback and guidance I received from lecturers helped me grow in confidence and develop strong academic skills that I never believed I could have. Because of this, returning to university felt like an exciting next step in my life.

I chose to study Human Resource Management at postgraduate level because of my experiences working in the hospitality industry, where I often found myself in challenging roles with limited organisational support. Working in environments without a dedicated HR department made me realise how essential it is for employees to have access to guidance, fair processes, and someone who monitors wellbeing. The Human Resource Management degree also stood out to me because it is CIPD accredited and covers the core areas of people management that are relevant to the world of HR.

I want to deepen my understanding of management, develop more advanced skills, and open future opportunities for career progression. Continuing my education felt like the right step to grow both personally and professionally.

Two modules have particularly stood out for me:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) - I’ve found my EDI lectures especially engaging because it has highlighted the inequalities that still exist in the workplace. As someone who is dyslexic and aware of the challenges faced by neurodiverse employees, this module feels very personal to me. It reinforces my belief that workplaces should be supportive, fair, and accessible for everyone.

Digital HRM - I have also really enjoyed Digital HRM, particularly because of how rapidly technology and AI are transforming HR practices. Understanding how digital tools are used in recruitment and performance management has made me feel more prepared to use them responsibly in a HR setting.

One of my proudest achievements has been achieving distinctions in my assignments and being recognised by my tutor as a strong student. This feedback has meant a great deal to me because reading and writing have never come naturally to me due to my dyslexia. Throughout school, I often felt that academic work was something I was not good at, so seeing myself excel at a postgraduate degree has been incredibly empowering.

The support and adjustments provided by the University of Essex have played a huge role in my progress. Having access to the right tools such as available 1:1 with lecturers, personal feedback, and the opportunity to listen again to lectures. It has shown me that with the right support, I can achieve far more than I once believed, and it has motivated me to keep pushing myself and continuing my studies.

One of my favourite elements of life at Essex is the fact that my cohort is incredibly diverse, with students from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds. This mix of perspectives really enriches the learning experience.
I also really enjoy the atmosphere around campus, especially the different places to study. The Essex Business School building is one of my favourite places as it feels so calm and relaxing, with lots of natural light and the trees and plants add to this.

Another highlight for me is the Thursday food stalls because its affordable and tasty food.

Overall, the combination of a diverse community and welcoming study spaces makes Essex an enjoyable place to study and spend time.

Even though I don’t live on campus, I still find it a very welcoming and enjoyable place to be. The main squares are always full of energy. I also appreciate how easy the campus is to navigate; there are plenty of study spaces, and it’s easy to find practical things like printers and water dispensers, which makes day to day life much smoother. It’s the small details like this that make a big difference, especially when you’re juggling work and study.

After graduation, my main goal is to gain hands on experience in Human Resource Management so I can apply what I’ve learned in a real organisational setting.
My aspiration is to become someone employees can turn to when they need support, whether that’s guidance, adjustments, or simply someone who listens. Having worked in environments where support wasn’t always available, I feel strongly about being part of a profession that prioritises wellbeing, fairness, and development.

In the long term, I hope to work in roles that help people overcome challenges and access careers they enjoy. Ultimately, my goal is to use my HR knowledge, empathy, and lived experience to make a positive difference in people’s working lives.