{"id":27173,"date":"2025-05-01T12:53:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T11:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/?p=27173"},"modified":"2025-05-01T13:06:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T12:06:25","slug":"ou-study-gave-me-the-confidence-and-expertise-to-pursue-new-career-opportunities-with-confidence-and-expertise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/ou-study-gave-me-the-confidence-and-expertise-to-pursue-new-career-opportunities-with-confidence-and-expertise\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018OU study gave me the opportunity to pursue new career goals with confidence and expertise\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

As thousands of runners are nursing their aching legs after this year’s record breaking London Marathon, we’re thrilled to share the story of Open University MBA<\/a> graduate Dr Julie McElroy, who became the first female frame runner to complete the iconic race last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When Julie, an award winning disability rights campaigner, was confined to her home after a traumatic accident, studying with The Open University (OU) gave her purpose when she needed it most.<\/p>\n

Living with cerebral palsy, assistive technologies have enabled Julie to lead a life without limits, achieving scores of personal, academic and career goals. A trailblazer for disability rights, Julie shares how the knowledge she\u2019s gained from the OU\u2019s MBA will support her mission to create a more inclusive world.<\/p>\n

A learner for life<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Boasting multiple qualifications including a PhD, Julie\u2019s commitment to lifelong learning has equipped her to become one of the UK\u2019s leading disability rights advocates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI attended additional needs primary and secondary schools and despite the challenges that education brings for individuals with disabilities, I took inspiration from my able-bodied siblings \u2013 I\u2019ve always strived to have the same life opportunities as them,\u201d Julie explains.<\/p>\n

Passionate about the benefits of assistive technology in education and industry, Julie has dedicated her learning and career to addressing the disability assistance gap.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe World Health Organisation indicates that more than two billion people will need assistive technology by 2030, but only one million people currently have access to it,\u201d says Julie. \u201cThese helpful, adaptive devices are enablers to an independent and active life, where people with disabilities can engage with education and enjoy employment opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Career boosting qualifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Boasting a host of qualifications from several universities, which inform her disability rights work, Julie was still itching to develop her leadership skills and boost her knowledge of the corporate world.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the last few years, I\u2019ve witnessed unprecedented changes in the professional landscape, particularly in how individuals from widening access backgrounds are wanting to progress into executive positions within organisations,\u201d Julie describes. \u201cIt\u2019s a fascinating and inspiring transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eager to develop an understanding of business theories and practise, Julie embarked on an MBA with the OU.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, choosing the MBA wasn\u2019t just for personal and professional growth; it was about being a well-rounded champion of diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in the international business world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The OU experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Having previously gained a Masters of Laws with the OU, Julie knew she was making the right choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing on my MBA journey with the OU was the right path for me. The course offers the flexibility I need to balance work and study effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie adds, \u201cI suffered a traumatic injury not long into my studies and I was confined to the house, balancing relentless physio sessions with work,\u201d Julie remembers. \u201cOU study became my lifeline, providing purpose and structure throughout a very tough time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now a proud MBA graduate, Julie has big plans for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis qualification is set to play a crucial role in me advancing to the next stage of my career. I\u2019ve not only expanded my understanding of the business world and what it takes to be a senior leader, I\u2019m in a great position to pursue new opportunities with greater confidence and expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advice to others<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Keen to encourage others to find out what they\u2019re capable of, Julie has this advice:<\/p>\n

\u201cOU study can be life changing. It offers flexibility and support, enabling you to pursue your goals no matter the challenges you face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie adds, \u201cI\u2019d like to say a huge thank you to the OU for being true advocates for lifelong learning \u2013 the whole experience was fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As thousands of runners are nursing their aching legs after this year’s record breaking London Marathon, we’re thrilled to share the story of Open University MBA graduate Dr Julie McElroy, who became the first female frame runner to complete the iconic race last year. When Julie, an award winning disability rights campaigner, was confined to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":27174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[859,1525,1643,2142],"class_list":["post-27173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-stories","tag-faculty-of-business-and-law","tag-news-home","tag-ou-news","tag-student-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27173"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27180,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27173\/revisions\/27180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}