Jonny Perriam

Jonny Perriam spotted an OU post on LinkedIn about microcredentials and “jumped at the opportunity” to upskill to further his career, as he was due to soon return to his job at Edinburgh Rugby after being furloughed. 

“The post mentioned the chance to earn a funded place if it would contribute to upskilling and career development, which could not have come at a better time, as I was keen to learn more about marketing and use it in getting back to my daily work with Edinburgh Rugby coming off the furlough period,” he explains. 

“It was also the perfect time to learn more about marketing and use it, as Edinburgh Rugby look to launch a more outbound approach to marketing commercial opportunities going forward.”

Flexible learning at own pace

Undertaking the Business Management: Marketing Principles and Practice microcredential, Jonny found that the OU online course “allowed study on my terms, reading and following the course material when I had time, completing assignments and submitting my final assessment when it suited me.

“This flexibility was key as I was juggling other commitments and could not commit to a ‘working hours’ course.”

He suggests that balancing work, life and study was “probably the hardest part of the course”, but discovered “one of the major benefits of the course was that I could learn at my own pace… although there were timelines of weeks of study to follow, I would on occasion be a week or so behind, but this didn’t affect the course or my learning in any way and, if I put the time in, I would catch up and be back on schedule.”

Working remotely at his own pace, Jonny still felt well supported while studying for his microcredential.

“The course really encouraged peer support and discussion around topics. The tutors would regularly encourage real-world examples to be talked about and this often generated great conversations leading to more learning,” he says.

“The structure of the course also allowed for small group work and feedback between others on the course.”

Course relevant to workplace

Since completing his marketing course, Jonny has been able to apply his learning directly in the workplace. His role involves maximising value for current partners through innovative projects and generating brand exposure, as well as working to market Edinburgh Rugby’s offering and attract new commercial partners in the city, Scotland and beyond. 

I have been central to this project, using my learning to influence what we do. It couldn’t be more applicable!”

He explains: “Edinburgh Rugby’s commercial team are currently in the process of outwardly marketing our opportunities for the first time and I have been central to this project, using my learning to influence what we do. It couldn’t be more applicable!”

As well as benefiting his workplace, studying has also made him think about his career. “The course has really made me consider what next steps I would like to take in my career,” Jonny highlights. 

“Before, I saw marketing as a separate function to sales that I didn’t have a huge interest in, or know a lot about. Having taken the course, I am now considering following a more marketing or sales and marketing path going forward, as I continue to learn more about this subject.”

Jonny says he would definitely consider studying with the OU again because “the flexibility and study options are fantastic. I think I would struggle to commit to full-time education now I have life and financial commitments to think of, so the OU offers an alternative route via part-time study that appeals to me.”

“It’s worth it! You will only regret not doing it,” he adds.