|
 | |  | |
Born on 29 April 1956 I trained as a hairdresser in 1976 at the age of 20, working at Trudi's Hairdressers on Manchester Road, Burnley. Some ten years later I felt I was able to achieve much more in life, wrote Patricia Reilly.
So with not much encouragement from my then husband I began a short TOPS office-training course. I had only been doing the course for some four weeks when a tutor stated I was intelligent enough for a further course called the HND. I applied as advised and was granted admission to the course.
Six weeks into the course I soon found the youngsters had previous course history and others of my age (then 30 years) and older had previous work related experience, in offices and industry in general, and they held some sort of qualification or other.
Well me, I had nothing but hairdressing, hardly a budding, business manager even by my standards, never mind anyone else's.
The bolt hit home during a law lesson when I asked the tutor what kind of chance I had of getting through this course and passing, having no previous experience of business or even business related law. 'Not much,' was his response.
Nevertheless, I slogged out the two years and passed some of my modules with distinctions, credits and of course passes. The hard work resulted in loss of my marriage, having to work late at night in order to learn and achieve.
However, some eight years later I began my own business, Direct Extension Telemarketing, employed staff and met a wonderful man who appreciates a woman with a brain, and a blonde woman at that!!
We plan to marry soon, so now I can say my greatest memory is gaining an education, and I hope other women take heed.
Patricia Reilly, Western Isles, 2001
| |  | |  |
To add a comment you must first login or join for free, up in the top left corner.
|
|
