The value of experience - How Susann Sullivan used prior learning to advance her education
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process whereby evidence of learning (formal, non-formal or informal) that has taken place prior to enrolment in higher education is recognised and given value.
A key principle of RPL is that learners shouldn’t have to relearn what they already know. Prior learning can count towards entry, advanced entry, credit, or module exemptions. RPL learners benefit from bringing existing knowledge into the classroom and can apply new learning directly in the workplace.
For Susann Sullivan from Drogheda, RPL was the key to overcoming a significant career barrier.
In 2021, Susann launched her own business, The Pantryist, taking it from the idea stage to nationwide distribution within its first year. The company offered a range of calorie-friendly treats, originally created by Susann for herself as a guilt-free snack, which quickly gained nationwide attention. She handled not only product creation but also the marketing, building a strong brand presence. When her company closed after scaling faster than she could manage, Susann found that despite her vast experience across many aspects of her business and having previous qualifications, not having a Business specific Degree was a huge obstacle when applying for new roles.
“When I started applying for roles that I felt were a perfect fit, I found that many required a minimum of a business degree or a degree in a related discipline, which meant I couldn’t progress to the interview stage to show my relevant experience,” Susann recalled.
Susann had developed a wide array of skills through the experience of setting up and managing her own business and had worked closely with local enterprise offices business mentors, as well as completing a multitude of 12-week courses in subjects such as accountancy and digital marketing to continuously upskill. When she began her search for a Business Degree, she came across the Recognised Prior Learning Process and thought it sounded like an ideal path to her degree. Unlike in her interview search, her experience and skills were invaluable when applying to study at DkIT through the RPL process.
“My past experience was recognised academically, which meant that I could apply my lived experience and my professional experience against the module objectives of the course to fast track in to year three of the four-year programme,” said Susann.
Although further exemptions might have been possible for particular modules, Susann chose to engage fully with the course. “There was so much to take away from it,” she says. And the benefits came quickly: just eight weeks into the programme, she secured a new role as a Business Development Manager.
“The course material gave me the confidence not only to apply for the job but also to land the role,” Susann said.
Completing an Honours Degree in just two years was a fantastic opportunity for Susann, but also a challenge. Before returning to education, she felt apprehensive—uncertain about the module structure, exams, and what to expect. However, supportive lecturers quickly put her at ease.
Being surrounded by a diverse group of classmates was also invaluable for Susann. The varied career paths and experiences really brought a positive impact to the class, and according to Susann:
"Everybody is there for the same reason, to obtain the degree, so once you keep that in mind, it makes it easier to return to education.”
Studying part-time meant Susann could continue working full-time, with just two evenings a week and one Saturday a month dedicated to classes. After her initial worries, she settled in quickly. And “within a couple of weeks, it was like I had always been here,” she explained. She advises anyone considering going back to education to review the timetable carefully to ensure it fits their schedule. For her, the balance worked really well—and the course content was highly relevant to industry.
Modules in strategic management, account management, and global sales strategies continue to prove invaluable to Susann in her day-to-day work, enhancing her commercial acumen and boosting her confidence in professional settings.
Susann completed her degree in May this year and will officially graduate in October. Now that she’s caught the study bug, she’s going back for more. She’s secured a fully-funded scholarship for a two-year part-time Masters of Research from the HEA and will commence her next stage of studies in DkIT in September.
For Susann, choosing a Master’s by Research rather than a Master’s in a specific area was ideal, as it allowed her to remain involved and engaged in a range of business challenges while dedicating her research to a particular area, without having to commit to a single predefined field of study.
Her chosen research topic is ‘Social Return on Investment (SROI) in Social Enterprises: A Measurement Challenge.’ She’s excited to explore this topic from both an academic and business lens and work towards something she’s passionate about. As she said herself;
“If it’s something that you really want to do, just go for it!”
Interested in how your previous learning could help you advance your education journey? Visit https://www.dkit.ie/offices/admissions/rpl to find out more.