Liam Sutton

For many people, university comes straight after high school. For Liam, it came a decade later, after an electrical apprenticeship, years working in mining and a growing curiosity about how things worked.

When Liam finished school in 2004, he had his sights set on studying Electrical Engineering. While he didn't quite achieve the marks needed for direct entry, he took a different path and began an electrical apprenticeship. He went on to build a successful career in the mining industry, working in field service and commissioning roles. While he enjoyed the hands-on nature of the work, the ambition to study never completely disappeared.

Ten years later, Liam decided to revisit that goal. As the first person in his family to attend university, he enrolled in Open Foundation to create a pathway into higher education.

"Open Foundation gave me a way to make that happen," he says.

Returning to study after a decade away from the classroom was daunting. Moving from full-time work in mining to subjects like mathematics and physics required a significant adjustment, and Liam wasn't sure how he would perform.

"The biggest thing Open Foundation gave me was confidence. I hadn't studied properly for about ten years, so I wasn't really sure how I would go. I studied Maths and Physics through Open Foundation and found that I could not only do it, but actually do well at it."

The experience proved transformative. Rather than seeing university as something reserved for other people, Liam began to view it as a realistic and achievable path for himself.

That confidence set him on a remarkable academic journey. After completing Open Foundation in 2013, Liam went on to study a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics, followed by Honours and ultimately a PhD in Engineering, which he completed in 2024.

Along the way, he discovered that his trade background gave him a valuable perspective. The practical skills and experience he had developed in industry translated naturally into academic study and research.

"As I progressed through the degree and eventually into research, the challenges obviously changed, but I think having that practical background helped. I tended to approach problems by breaking them down and working through them rather than getting too caught up in whether I was supposed to already know the answer."

That methodical approach helped shape a career that bridges industry expertise and advanced research.

Today, Liam works in engineering project delivery, specialising in environmental monitoring and instrumentation. His role spans electrical design, software development, commissioning, troubleshooting and project management.

"It's ended up being a good combination of my original electrical trade background, the science and engineering I learnt at university, and the research and problem-solving skills I developed through my PhD."

One of the most rewarding moments in Liam's journey came years after completing Open Foundation, when he returned to the program in a very different role.

"A nice full-circle moment came years later when I returned to Open Foundation as a Physics lecturer. I went from sitting in those classes wondering whether I belonged at university to teaching students who were in exactly the same position I had been in."

Looking back, Liam says it is difficult to overstate the impact Open Foundation had on his life. Without the pathway program, he believes his future may have looked very different.

"Without Open Foundation, there's a good chance I simply would have stayed on the path I was already on."

Instead, that single decision led to a science degree, Honours, a PhD, university teaching and a career that combines his trade expertise with academic knowledge.

For anyone considering university but questioning whether they are capable, Liam's advice is simple.

"Don't assume that because you didn't go straight to university after school, or because you didn't get the marks you needed at the time, that you've missed your chance."

His own experience is proof that opportunities don't expire.

"You don't necessarily need to have the whole plan worked out before you start. Sometimes you just need to take the first step and see where it leads."

Don't assume that because you didn't go straight to university after school, or because you didn't get the marks you needed at the time, that you've missed your chance.