Challenges and triumphs
Three years of fulltime study, plus 30 hours of work a week and two children – Hilary Mercer’s degree was hard fought but ‘‘so worth it.’’
Mercer graduated this week from the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand where she was asked to be the student representative speaker at the ceremony held at the Air Force Museum in Wigram.
‘‘I was so honoured to be asked to speak and I accepted straight away, but I was also slightly terrified,’’ Mercer said.
Mercer studied for her Bachelor of Arts (Information and Library Studies) by distance learning through the Open Polytechnic, primarily because she wanted to be a good role model to her two sons Fyfe 10, and Monty 7.
‘‘I wanted to show them that if you work hard you can achieve things. I also really wanted to improve my career prospects,’’ Mercer said.
While it requires a great deal of self motivation and meticulous time management Mercer said without the flexibility of distance learning she wouldn’t have been able to complete her degree as fast.
‘‘I wouldn’t have been able to continue working as much and I would have had constraints with childcare.
‘‘So although I wouldn’t say it was easy, it was definitely a great option for me compared with fulltime campus study.’’
Mercer said online study groups and regular contact with tutors and lecturers meant she always felt supported through her study.
During her graduation speech, Mercer explained the mound of responsibilities stacked against her that could have easily stopped her from pursuing her studies.
‘‘I had a mortgage, bills to pay, a job I needed to keep, and very little spare time,’’ she said.
‘‘It would be easy to think that tertiary education was not a feasible option for me at the time, but the words of the famous political activist, Angela Davis, were ringing in my ears.
‘‘She said: ‘I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept’.’’
Mercer who was the librarian at Oxford Library while she studied has just accepted a new job with Waimakariri Libraries.
She will work as part of the reader advisory and reference team – which is focused on lifelong learning through books, e-books and technology.
It might not be everyone’s idea of a dream job but Mercer said she is ‘‘so passionate’’ about libraries.
‘‘They provide amazing opportunities for everybody, they are a great equaliser.’’