Confidence, support and clear goals: A recipe to success at Open Colleges

Taking on further study can be daunting, whether you are a first-time student or returning as a mature student, but the sense of accomplishment from achieving your goals is a worthwhile reward. We recently spoke to Andrew Barth, a seasoned recruiter who decided to trade in his suit for a student ID on overcoming the challenges of adapting to modern learning methods. Over the course of the conversation, we learned everything from the benefits of a proper support network to the confidence you will get from learning new skills and why you should come to any course with clarity about why you are there and what you want to achieve. So, read on to learn the highlights of our conversation with Andrew.  

Having confidence to take the leap 

It might sound like a paradox, but taking the plunge and learning something new takes a huge amount of confidence, and one of the most significant outcomes is feeling even more confident. Andrew left his career in recruitment to pivot to a new career in education. The main thing he notes is how, while it may take some confidence to make the decision, learning will give you even more confidence to go out and take on the world, "looking back (at what you've achieved) can also give you the confidence to take that plunge". 

The importance of a support network 

Andrew also notes how much confidence can come from having the right support to get you through. Education is such a rewarding endeavour, but taking on new challenges can be tricky, especially when stepping out of your comfort zone. He encourages new learners to make sure they have the right support around them, whether that's friends, family, colleagues, or classmates, to lean on when they need a boost and talk through issues and problems. He also advises new students to be aware of the emotional journey that can come with branching out and learning something new; just acknowledging it will make that transition smoother. 

Getting clarity in your objectives 

A big recipe for success is making sure you have clarity about what you are doing and why you're doing it. Andrew invites you to take some time to identify what course you want to do or the industry you want to join and why. You may have previously thought about further education, but to ensure success, consider why you want to upskill; for Andrew, deciding to retrain as an educator was about "the opportunity to give back and make [education] more equitable". After a long and varied career, Andrew wanted to be able to contribute to the next generation of learners with his further studies in education. What would you like to achieve with a course from Open Colleges? 

Tips from Andrews time in recruitment 

Finally, after decades spent in recruitment, Andrew has some great tips on what to do when you are in the job market and how to make the most of your recent Open Colleges course. When looking for new jobs, think long term, "Find the industries you want to work in, and then prove yourself when you're in that organisation. Your dream job might be two or three steps away." 

If you want to learn more from our wide-ranging chat with Andrew, listen to the full podcast and make sure you check out our complete list of current courses and decide which one you might want to pursue.