For many years Emilie, 47, put her professional aspirations aside, working hard to pay the bills and be present as a mum. It wasn’t until her son completed his degree that Emilie decided it was her turn to shine, embarking on an Open University (OU) degree that would unlock the career she dreamed of.
Now working as a laboratory scientist, BSc Chemistry student Emilie shares how, with the support of the OU, it’s never too late to switch career path.
A varied career
With plenty of work experience under her belt, Emilie was always confident adapting to new work environments, but not completing a degree when she was younger played on her mind.
“I had several different jobs over the years, from customer experience to training delivery and even being self-employed, but not sticking with university the first time around still sat with me,” Emilie explains. “I always felt something was missing.”
Like many parents, Emilie’s work decisions were driven by the needs of her son and household finances.
“Of course, I wouldn’t change any of that. I’ve got an amazing son and I’m so proud of everything he’s achieved,” says Emilie. “But when he graduated, I started to think – If he can do that, so can I!”
Finding your passion
When Emilie discovered that, with the OU, she could study alongside work, she knew finding the right subject would keep her motivated.
“I’ve always been fascinated by science and quickly realised that it was Chemistry that captivated me most,” Emilie remembers. “I love the practical side and found that carrying out experiments at home really brought the chemistry theory to life.”
Emilie found that over time, her love for learning helped supress initial feelings of self-doubt.
“The fact that I’d dropped out of university years ago niggled me, I didn’t want it to happen again,” Emilie reflects.
“As I progressed through modules, I was enjoying the learning so much that I started to believe in myself – studying became habitual and part of my daily life.”
Support every step of the way
Despite having been out of education for some time, Emilie found she was able to hit the ground running.
“The OU helps you get up to speed with what it takes to succeed in higher education, it’s a gradual process and the course materials are designed to build your knowledge in a manageable way,” Emilie says.
“You can break your learning down into short sessions of reading, then take a quiz and watch a video – it’s very interactive and everything is really well explained.”
Always looking to get the most out of her studies, Emilie has leaned into the support on offer from her dedicated tutor.
“My tutor is fantastic, he goes to such lengths to support and encourage us, I feel so lucky to have him.”
Unlocking a new career path
Setting out on her OU journey, Emilie’s end goal was to use her degree to switch career.
“As it turns out, I didn’t have to wait until the end of my degree,” Emilie reveals. “I spotted an opportunity, which I never would have been qualified for without four years of OU study behind me.”
Working for a company that uses Cell and Gene Therapy to help find cures for specific conditions, Emilie is already working towards her exciting plans for the future.
“My long-term ambition is to use the knowledge and experience I’m building in biotechnology to investigate environmental solutions. It’s very exciting,” Emilie shares.
Keen to encourage others to reach their potential, Emilie has this advice:
“Don’t be put off by the preconception that only younger people can switch career. Yes, OU study is a big commitment, but you’ll have the support of your tutor and it’s so easy to make friends with other students. I’ve never felt lonely.”
Emilie adds, “I’ve managed to start my new career already – why not see how far OU study can take you?”
