Harmony, Karen, Nathan and Sharon – GA BA (Hons) Business Management
Harmony Bourne, 27, Karen Spence, 35, Nathan Omand, 27, and Sharon Smith, 57, all work for NHS Orkney and battled the pandemic to complete a four-year graduate apprenticeship (GA) and earn a BA (Hons) in Business Management.
They are among the university’s first cohort of Aberdeen Business School GA graduates to pass through the course.
Harmony, who earned a 1st Class Honours as well as a Dean of School Award, said: “RGU began offering a graduate apprentice scheme for employees to undertake degrees that involved work-based learning within organisations which seemed like the perfect opportunity, enabling me to continue employment while gaining a degree simultaneously.”
None of the four students had ever been to university before, citing a lack of opportunity or the need to earn a full-time wage. Nathan, from Stromness, said it was a “no-brainer”.
“I could remain in full-time employment, earning a salary, while undertaking the same level of qualification as I would if I was full-time on campus. It was a no-brainer for me”
Harmony agreed: “It came around at the perfect time. I had been looking into studying for a degree and wanted to challenge myself. The main attraction was that the course combined theoretical studying and work-based learning.”
A Kirkwall Grammar School alumna, Karen said she was “so proud” to graduate. “A GA opportunity was offered by RGU for the first time and my organisation was fully supportive and advertised this amazing opportunity. I left school with very few qualifications and going to university was not in my plan.
“Each module was different, each tutor was different, but I do not believe there was one module that I found boring... I am so proud of myself for completing it and managing to graduate.”
The blended learning approach enabled the students to continue residing in Orkney while also taking advantage of the university’s online and on-campus resources.
Nathan reserved extra praise for RGU’s Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach, Dr Liam Waldron: “Liam is a godsend. His patience is incredible, which I am sure I tested. He is so personable and made what was often an unnerving assignment much more manageable.”
Karen was also grateful for the support she received: “When I was struggling with my mental health, I reached out to the student support services and my course leader who were fantastic and with their support I was able to continue with the course.”
And Harmony had similar acclaim, appreciating the services available to aid with her studies: “I used the study skills support services which helped to improve my academic writing and critical thinking when approaching assignment questions. This was invaluable and helped me break down assignment questions and not overthink them.”
Juggling a four-year course with full-time employment at the NHS would be testing at the best of times, adding in the global pandemic added an extra, unanticipated, element of strain.
“I work within the Public Health department at NHS Orkney and therefore throughout the pandemic things were hard. It was difficult during the height of Covid-19 but I could not have done the course without working”, Karen said.
Nathan added: “It was challenging, there’s no denying that, but I have gained so much from it. The course itself is tailored towards the current environment and industry needs, it all felt so relevant. I thoroughly enjoyed my university experience.”
For Sharon, it was a long time since she’d last experienced studying: “I was very apprehensive committing to a four-year study period, especially as an older student. The ways of studying and referencing were new to me, but once I developed a good routine the time just flew by.
“The whole four years have helped my career immensely. I was successful in applying for a better job at the NHS and the studies have improved my management and leadership skills.”
Currently employed as a Project Support Officer, Harmony also credits her experience with improving her both professionally and personally. She said: “Gaining my degree while working has been my greatest achievement. The degree pushed me and was an excellent challenge. I am thrilled with my grades and have gained so much confidence academically, professionally, and personally.”
Another aspect that the quartet all appear to agree on is the collective nature of everyone involved in the GA, from tutors and support staff to fellow pupils and colleagues.
Karen said: “We all work within the same organisation and were able to come together to support each other if we were struggling. To be honest, I don’t think I could have managed it without them there supporting me and pushing me to keep going.”
Nathan, who has also now enrolled to an MSc beginning this coming January, is buoyed by his involvement in what’s a landmark group of graduates for RGU.
“Being the first cohort to graduate on the Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management is pretty exciting, I guess we’ve paved the way for future students.”
Pictured is L-R: Harmony, Nathan and Karen. Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions Sharon couldn't make it.