Laura Elam

OU graduate Laura Elam in a gown and holding a scroll, on the day of her degree ceremony.Always intending to go to university after leaving school, Laura Elam was supported by her employer to return to her studies at the age of 37.

As a single mother working full-time with two sons, studying with The Open University (OU) offered Laura Elam from Dunfermline the flexibility she needed.

She explains: “I always wanted to go back to studying and did short courses when I could, but maintaining family security came first. I found a way I could without risking my income, by studying with the OU.”

Working for a medical device company, her employer partially financed her Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours Open degree, with a focus on health sciences.

“I have always been interested in studying,” Laura says. “The main reasons were for self-development, self-growth and career development, but also for the sense of security and freedom of having a recognised qualification that I can use to go wherever I want to go. 

Flexible degree

“I chose the Open degree so that my employer could chose modules if they wished, as they were funding my BSc.”

“I would encourage employers to assist where they can, as per module the cost is very competitive with other training and development offerings out there,” she adds. 

Become an expert in spotting a study opportunity and being ready to take advantage of that.”

“It provides valuable transferable skills that can be used in any role and enhances the credentials of their workforce.”

Discussing balancing work, family and studying, Laura says: “Flexibility was key, it made it work. 

“Motivation was quite easy as I enjoy learning and I have a great interest in what I was studying. 

“Also, doing something so worthwhile that I was choosing to do, rather than having to do, was great. The achievement maintained my motivation too.”

She suggests that there are key skills for any new student to learn: “Learn to say no nicely. Become an expert in spotting a study opportunity and being ready to take advantage of that. 

“I managed to create a study routine around my family’s routine, which minimised the additional time out I was taking for studying.

“A couple of nights a week I would stay back late at work and take advantage of a quiet, empty office. I used local colleges and universities if I couldn’t focus at home. 

“I gate-crashed my son’s study sessions at university on occasions, although there were a couple of stressful all-nighters too.”

Invaluable support

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Laura shares: “I thought with working from home I would have approximately 10 hours a week commute time back so it would make my studies so much easier, but that wasn’t the case.

...to know you always have someone on the other end of the phone or email is invaluable.”

“It was tough, every routine was disrupted, work and home. I couldn’t go to all my usual study places. 

“Also, the stress of the pandemic and not being able to see family and worrying about them made everything a bit more difficult.

“The OU made it clear the support was there and provided tools without forcing it upon you. 

“Increased tutor contact and increased flexibility helped significantly.”

She describes OU tutor support as “fantastic” and says that “to know you always have someone on the other end of the phone or email is invaluable”.

“The expert academic support you get from the tutors is great, but they also supported me during times of panic. 

“Quite a few times my tutor has talked me back down and helped me refocus and assure me I am doing fine.”

Workplace-relevant learning

Since gaining a First for her degree, Laura has now progressed into a new role that she was interested in for a long time, as a Clinical Research Associate. 

The knowledge I have gained, including biology of the eye, health systems and clinical trials, are all relevant in my new role.”

Laura says her learning from her time studying with the OU has been invaluable in the workplace.

“The knowledge I have gained, including biology of the eye, health systems and clinical trials, are all relevant in my new role,” she explains. 

“Literature reviews are also a big part of my new role. 

“My final science project was in relation to age-related macular degeneration, which is a significant area of study within my new role as Clinical Research Associate.”

Laura celebrated her degree graduating in-person at an OU in Scotland ceremony at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. 

She says it feels “amazing, a great sense of achievement and I’m so glad I kept going. Achieving a First is the icing on the cake. The graduation in-person makes it all real”.

Photo by Julie Howden.