In the series ‘One’s to Watch’, Henrie Kwushue meets students at The Open University who are building a bright future for themselves and others. In this interview, we will explore Henrie’s experience hosting the series and why she champions distance learning.
How was your experience hosting this series?
It was eye-opening for me because I got to travel between here and Scotland and had the opportunity to meet some really inspiring, young people who are using their Open University degrees. I think it’s a different way of engaging with education. I’ve never seen it done before like that. It was definitely an experience because you get to see a whole new side to education.
What have you learnt from hosting One’s to Watch? Perhaps something you can use later on in your future entrepreneurial activities?
The one thing I’ve learned is, that even though everyone says it, you can see that it’s true: you can never truly stop learning. For example, if you want to venture into something new or at any point change your mind on what you want to do, you can use the OU to help further that as well. So, no matter who you are, where you are, or how old you are, you can change your mind and learn something in a different field. It’s never too late to make a change. If you are a business owner, you have the opportunity to continue working and studying at the same time and do a new degree in a very flexible way.
Who were the ones to watch and how does it make them inspiring?
The ones to watch were Steven, Leanda, and Carly. Carly is someone that we had to go back to Glasgow for and she really did stand out. She wasn’t even just focusing on the degree, she was running her own business as well. Because she was doing so well, when her boyfriend saw everything that she was achieving, he was encouraged to pursue a degree at the OU as well. That’s the story that I really like.
Especially with Carly and her boyfriend, who is hot on the idea of veganism. They hope to grow their business around that. She was very passionate and it was inspiring to hear how she talked about her new business and the fact that it encouraged someone literally right next to her, her boyfriend. That for me was incredible to watch and see. When I was talking to him as well, he was just as enthusiastically, if not more than Carly. Talking about his degree at the OU and how it’s helping them and their business.
What can we learn from them? What makes them stand out as young entrepreneurs?
The main thing that I got from all of them is that they won’t stop until they achieve their goal. It’s the environment they build around themselves that helps them to succeed and to use education in a way that benefits them. To improve their health and open new doors. I think many people feel like they’re stuck in a rut and don’t use education in the best possible means. It goes hand in hand with everything and so I do think it’s quite inspiring. It’s so much more powerful having a strong mindset when it comes to something they want and benefits them.
It’s the fact that they don’t see education as a burden. The flexibility of getting an OU degree can’t be seen as a burden or a catalyst, as opposed to something that holds you to a particular building, because you’re able to study and learn from everywhere.
Leanda mentioned that she made ‘Sundays a ME day’ – is this something you agree with?
Absolutely. I think that in general, you do need “me” days. I keep saying it, but it’s true that every single time you hear any of their stories, you do come to understand that flexible ability in this life is everything. When I was in Uni, I don’t know if I really had any days off. I feel quite guilty about it. If I had a flexible degree, something I knew that I can do in my own time when I’m free, then it could have changed the game for everyone. You really do get to have those days to yourself. You don’t feel guilty for having those days off because you know that your work is always there to come back to and pick up where you left off.
Steven did public speaking classes. Is confidence important when it comes to the workplace?
Confidence is important, but being confident in a way that suits you. The word confidence is not a great term for every single personality. Being comfortable in your own skin is the start of it. Then going from there, revealing that confidence in whatever way suits you, your personality, and your mindset is very important.
What motivates them to be able to educate themselves at The Open University around their busy work schedule?
The fact that they want to achieve their goals, you can see just by talking to them. Looking back and rewatching the episodes, one of the biggest things that motivate them, is that they want to achieve it, no matter what area they are in. These are three completely different people with different things that they’re doing in life. They also all have different goals. Each of these things matters to them. The fact that between them is their motivation to succeed and to achieve. It was really moving.
All three of them had something in particular. Steven wants to go to the Scottish Parliament. He wants to help people in the community. Carly wants to grow her business and Leanda to help the community around her.
What is it about distance learning that you champion?
That’s a great term. There’s the fact that again from someone who was learning inside a particular building, you’re not shackled to a certain place or a desk. You’re not enclosed in a room. You’re not tied to a certain person. If I need to go and speak to a lecturer or to someone that can help me, I can go online and get the same answers. Sometimes it’s easier speaking to someone when it’s not face-to-face.
You could be anywhere in the world and still achieve regardless of the distance. This means that you can allow your degree to fit around you and your life, no matter what you have going on.
What are the key benefits of distance learning for those who say they’re too busy working or starting their own businesses?
There’s definitely time to study because, honestly, when I was going to uni, I could have said the same thing for myself. But when you have those exams coming up, you suddenly find the time. So it depends on how important it is to you. Move forward and whatever venture you’re in, if you are that determined, then there will always be time.
Do you think distance learning is just as good as going to class in person?
Absolutely. I would have done distance learning if I knew it was a thing, I would have been able to be out there and working in the field. Doing what I always wanted to do for work and, also getting a degree at the same time.
How would you describe an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is someone who sees something that needs changing, developing, or advancing. They do everything in their power and interest to be able to, I don’t want to use the word fixed, because can you fix anything in this life? They want to at least add to that thing or try to.
Do you have any tips or advice to help future entrepreneurs to build on?
I’m not an entrepreneur myself. I want to say that, just from what I’ve seen. Whatever it is that you’re doing, your interest is what fuels you. For example, if you’re interested in hair, your love for it is what will spur you to be innovative and creative in that field.
How do you know once you’ve “Made it”?
I don’t think you ever know. As human beings, we are the kind of creatures that once we achieve something, we want to achieve more. I do think that you know things are going well with happiness. Pure joy. Pure contentment is a sure way to at least know you’re doing something correctly.
See more about MTV Generation Change here.
Interviewed by Louis Mennear
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