A finance degree can really pay off
FiVE years ago, Ryan Peddie worked as an iT manager. But when his company faced cash problems and began restructuring, he realised his job could be in jeopardy.
So the 36-year- old father of five from Newcastle decided to change careers.
He embarked on a Foundation Degree in Financial Services with The Open University (OU) in October 2012 — his last study experience was 17 years previously, when he had taken a HNC in iT.
initially, Ryan funded his own studies and secured a transfer into his company’s finance office, where his newly found knowledge and the resources from the OU started to make an impact. He says: ‘The financial state of my company at the time i started studying gave me lots of practical challenges to work through.
‘All of the course materials i was learning were so relevant and applicable, and i could use my new skills straight away.’
As the course progressed, Ryan’s new knowledge benefited the company and he became the finance director. He says the OU study method really worked for him, particularly with a young family — his children range in age from 11 months to 20 years old.
Ryan says: ‘i liked the face-to-face tutorials but, really, online study worked well for me. it was so flexible that i could study when it suited me.
‘There were lots of times when i was burning the midnight oil and trying to squeeze it in among work and other family commitments.
‘But it was worth it. i feel that it’s an achievement personally and professionally to have changed my career, completed my degree and gained a promotion.’
in recognition of his achievement, Ryan was awarded the Richard Delbridge Prize, which is given by the OU to the best student of that year’s Foundation Degree in Financial Services.
While studying, Ryan also took extra modules to enable him to convert his qualification into a full honours degree — completing it last September.
Meanwhile, Tracy Thorpe, 50, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, studied for a degree in modern languages (French and English) with the OU while working as a professional crew member on yachts.
She says: ‘ My advice to anyone considering doing an OU course is that it may be tough, but it’s worth it. There are times when it was really hard, but learning is such an incredible thing.
‘if i can do it while sailing around the world, then anyone can do it.’