\u201cAfter I left school, I trained to be a dancer for three years and gained an HND in Professional Stage Dance,\u201c Charlotte explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cI then secured a role as a dancer on a cruise ship. It was an exciting and adventurous job that took me all over the world, but I wanted to guarantee my future in the industry beyond working in entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith my background as a professional dancer, I started working as a teacher and studio manager local to where I live.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteracting with students taught me the importance of understanding our mind. To be a great dancer, you need to expose your deepest emotions and why we do what we do. This became the driving force behind me exploring the subject of psychology and wanting to further my learning in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s in the genes<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Charlotte-2-300x225.jpeg\")
Photo of Charlotte’s Grandmother with her family at her graduation ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n
The OU was the right option for Charlotte, as she wanted to continue working alongside her studies. OU study has also been a big part of her family life, with her grandma, grandad and mum all having gained degrees through the OU.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum, grandma and grandad are all OU alumni. My grandma was creative like me and got an arts degree \u2013 I love that I\u2019ve inherited this side from her.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s my mum that has really inspired me. After a career in education, she went on to achieve a Masters degree whilst juggling a busy life at home and work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew the OU was the only option for me. I was able to do a credit transfer with my HND, as well as continue working in a job that I love.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe flexibility of my degree has also meant that I can pick up the occasional professional dancing job, as I can take my studies with me, even if I need to travel abroad. I completed the first few weeks of my course in the middle of the ocean whilst dancing on a cruise ship!\u201d<\/p>\n
Expanding her options<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Charlotte-6-300x225.jpg\")
Charlotte at her graduation ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n
With the OU by her side, Charlotte has an exciting future ahead of her and is well on the way to creating the career that she wants.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, with my degree under my belt, I\u2019m excited to begin my Masters and get another step closer to my goal of becoming a movement psychotherapist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a role that uses dance to help people explore their feelings and emotions. I\u2019d love to work with athletes, as well as professional dancers to help them overcome barriers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough my studies have required lots of self-discipline and, at times, they\u2019ve been a juggle around crazy work hours, I\u2019ve really enjoyed having something else to shift my mental focus to.<\/p>\n
\u201cChoosing to study with the OU has allowed me to broaden my career trajectory and build my own path.\u201d<\/p>\n
Success is possible<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs an OU graduate, Charlotte has some advice for current students who are still studying.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so pleased I made the decision to study with the OU. For any students that are just about to start their studies, I\u2019d recommend that you get organised \u2013 plot your deadlines in your diary and allow yourself time to think about assignments. It\u2019ll be your key to success.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut sometimes you just have to accept that rest will come later. A late night of essay writing is worth it once you reach your deadline and achieve that sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut more importantly, take the leap and DO IT! It\u2019s changed my professional life and made me believe in myself and my academic abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photo of Charlotte’s Grandmother with her family at her graduation ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n
The OU was the right option for Charlotte, as she wanted to continue working alongside her studies. OU study has also been a big part of her family life, with her grandma, grandad and mum all having gained degrees through the OU.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum, grandma and grandad are all OU alumni. My grandma was creative like me and got an arts degree \u2013 I love that I\u2019ve inherited this side from her.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s my mum that has really inspired me. After a career in education, she went on to achieve a Masters degree whilst juggling a busy life at home and work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew the OU was the only option for me. I was able to do a credit transfer with my HND, as well as continue working in a job that I love.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe flexibility of my degree has also meant that I can pick up the occasional professional dancing job, as I can take my studies with me, even if I need to travel abroad. I completed the first few weeks of my course in the middle of the ocean whilst dancing on a cruise ship!\u201d<\/p>\n
Expanding her options<\/strong><\/h2>\nCharlotte at her graduation ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n
With the OU by her side, Charlotte has an exciting future ahead of her and is well on the way to creating the career that she wants.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, with my degree under my belt, I\u2019m excited to begin my Masters and get another step closer to my goal of becoming a movement psychotherapist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a role that uses dance to help people explore their feelings and emotions. I\u2019d love to work with athletes, as well as professional dancers to help them overcome barriers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough my studies have required lots of self-discipline and, at times, they\u2019ve been a juggle around crazy work hours, I\u2019ve really enjoyed having something else to shift my mental focus to.<\/p>\n
\u201cChoosing to study with the OU has allowed me to broaden my career trajectory and build my own path.\u201d<\/p>\n
Success is possible<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs an OU graduate, Charlotte has some advice for current students who are still studying.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so pleased I made the decision to study with the OU. For any students that are just about to start their studies, I\u2019d recommend that you get organised \u2013 plot your deadlines in your diary and allow yourself time to think about assignments. It\u2019ll be your key to success.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut sometimes you just have to accept that rest will come later. A late night of essay writing is worth it once you reach your deadline and achieve that sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut more importantly, take the leap and DO IT! It\u2019s changed my professional life and made me believe in myself and my academic abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlotte at her graduation ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n
With the OU by her side, Charlotte has an exciting future ahead of her and is well on the way to creating the career that she wants.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, with my degree under my belt, I\u2019m excited to begin my Masters and get another step closer to my goal of becoming a movement psychotherapist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a role that uses dance to help people explore their feelings and emotions. I\u2019d love to work with athletes, as well as professional dancers to help them overcome barriers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough my studies have required lots of self-discipline and, at times, they\u2019ve been a juggle around crazy work hours, I\u2019ve really enjoyed having something else to shift my mental focus to.<\/p>\n
\u201cChoosing to study with the OU has allowed me to broaden my career trajectory and build my own path.\u201d<\/p>\n