Going
Back to School
Returning to education after years of working
can open any number of doors, as Frances Brierley discovered.
A
Fiona, a freelance journalist, has just finished a four-year
part-time degree in English Literature. Fiona, 33, who hadn’t been
in further education since finishing a journalism course at London
Printing College 11 years ago, says: ‘I got more out of doing it
later in life than straight after school. When I did my journalism
course, we sat in the canteen chatting half the time, but when you’re
older you realise that the only person you’re cheating is yourself
if you do that. And when you’re older you can bring so much more
to your analysis because you’ve done more. It was quite strange
having to write an essay after many years, particularly after being
a journalist where you have to say things as briefly as possible.
But it was interesting having access to such knowledgeable tutors.’
B
Deborah left school without any qualifications and ended up
ten years later with a degree. Obtaining the degree gave her an
enormous desire to learn more. Since then, Deborah has enrolled
on courses ranging from pottery to African cinema to salsa dancing.
She says: ‘I never liked school. They didn’t teach me to enjoy learning
and I’m sure this experience can destroy many people’s desire to
learn more later in life. There’s so much in life to learn as you
get older, it becomes a real pleasure. There are no pressures –
you don’t have to prove anything. You are there because you want
to be. There is also something special about spending time with
people who share a common passion. You don’t know their names or
anything about them, but all the barriers are broken down because
everyone has the same objective.’
C
Joyce joined the Start Your Own Business course a few months
ago and she is now preparing to start an international business
in furniture design. Joyce, who is in her early thirties, says:
‘I had a flood of ideas that came to me in bed one night and I had
to get up to draw them while they were still fresh in my mind.’
The course was taught by businesswoman, Diane Shelley. She says:
‘Joyce was full of ideas and is now about to start her own multi-million
pound business.’ ‘The course helps you identify so many things,’
says Joyce, ‘the ideas developed until they were almost out of control;
by the end my idea had become an international business. Diane didn’t
just teach theory, she also shared her own experience with us. That
helped me a lot, because years ago I would have been frightened
to see bank managers and accountants as I didn’t understand the
financial aspects. Diane made me realise that you employ these people
to do the work. Now I’m not scared of borrowing money because I
know the business will be successful.’
D
Sonya did a three-day intensive desk-top publishing course in
May. Sonya, 24, who works as a publicity assistant at a bank, says:
‘I needed some skills to make me better at my job. Writing reports
is an essential part of my job and so the presentation of my work
is important.’ The course, held at the London College of Printing,
covers both practice and theory. Sonya says: ‘It was quite demanding,
they really get you thinking. Because there were only six or seven
in the group, we got more attention and it was easier to ask questions.
Now my reports appear more professional and I can produce them quicker.
A lot of people have said “Your work’s improved,” and it has made
me get on better with people in the office because I’m in a privileged
position, having knowledge others don’t have.’ |
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