Susan Taylor

After leaving school aged 15, The Open University (OU) in Scotland gave Susan Taylor the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she was more intelligent and capable than her blank school results sheet showed when she returned to studying in the 1980s. 

Growing up on a council estate in Dumbarton and leaving school at 15, Susan Taylor, now aged 67 and living in Inverbervie, says: “No one in my family had ever gone on to further learning and we were just expected to get a job in the local factory or local distillery.”

Feeling that she had unfulfilled potential, Susan says: “I wanted to show the world and myself that I was more intelligent than my CV showed. I always felt awkward at interviews about my lack of qualifications.

The truth is that I enjoyed my studies so much it was sometimes lovely to leave my life and get engulfed in assignments.”

“When I looked into The Open University, I knew that it was perfect for my situation. I loved that I could choose from a huge selection of modules, and I was motivated to commit to the course and get my degree to progress at work but also for my own self-esteem.”  

With no entry qualifications needed to study, Susan was able to quickly return to education and start working towards an Open Degree in the 1980s.

It was a “weight off her mind” when her employer BP agreed to fund her studies. 

She explains: “Just after I signed up for the OU, a new chief executive joined. He had an all-staff meeting and said that he was very keen for the company to support ongoing learning. I met him and explained what I wanted to do, why I wanted to do it, and asked if the company would be willing to sponsor some of my studies. 

“He agreed that it was an excellent plan and that it would be an asset to the company to have a member of staff with the determination to study for a degree with the OU.” 

‘Amazing how much has changed’

Describing her learning experience studying compared to nowadays, Susan says:

“Thinking back on it, it is amazing how much has changed. I used to get all my materials delivered by post, posted off my assignments, and then waited for the postman for the results. 

“I used to have to stay up late some nights for OU TV programmes because I didn’t have a recorder. Now it must be so much easier and more instant.”

‘So proud of my achievement’

After finishing her studies, Susan moved into a career in pharmaceuticals, specialising in supporting cancer treatments.

“I found it incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “The clinicians were so keen to get the information and the new medications to help their patients. I was awed by the dedication and care that they showed.” 

She adds: “I would not have been considered for a job in the pharmaceutical industry without a degree. It stood me in good stead when I had to analyse papers to present the results to clinicians, and in organising my work life and creating business plans.” 

Looking back at her memories of graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities in 1990, Susan says: “It was a fantastic day. My parents and my husband were there to see it. Ken had been so supportive during my studies so it was great that he could see the results. 

“We went through to Edinburgh for the ceremony, and had our baby daughter, Holly, with us. My sister took her home before the ceremony, but I got pictures with her in my gown.” 

She concludes: “I was the first person in my family to get a degree, and my parents were so proud. It all seemed to go in a flash. I am so proud of my achievement, and grateful for the opportunity to achieve my goal with the OU.”