Posted on 12 November 2026
Our LearnersAt our Auckland graduation ceremony in May 2026, we met Jen Crawford who had a very special reason to be celebrating.
During her 10 years of studying the Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Jen discovered the benefits of flexible online learning and how helpful Open Polytechnic was in her student journey.
Of the feeling Jen had attending graduation, she says “It feels amazing and emotional, as I had a lot of life events to work around study and vice versa. It’s a surreal feeling.”
Not only did online learning with Open Polytechnic enable Jen to complete her studies from Tihoi, near Taupō, without moving to a main centre, it also meant she could juggle her studies alongside major life events.
Making the most of flexible learning, Jen finished some of her Open Polytechnic assessments while she was in hospital, for the birth of her child and when she had a back injury and other surgeries.
“I have taken some time to finish my Bachelor of Business in Accounting but along this time, I have had a lot of life hurdles to jump,” Jen says.
“Open Polytechnic was good in regards to outside life hurdles that arise.”
Back when Jen started with Open Polytechnic, her studies helped get her foot in the door at a chartered accountancy firm.
Jen already had administrative and office-based experience, but she wanted to develop her knowledge and skill base with studies in accounting.
“With the knowledge I had and academic study it helped build the blocks to get me where I am today,” she says.
“I am also an Accounting Technician with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) with my degree backing me up.”
The knowledge learned through her qualification, have helped Jen in her role as accounting technician at Graham Brown & Co.
Open Polytechnic turns 80 in 2026, which means 80 years of helping Kiwis like Jen gain access to practical, career-focused training.
“Wow, what a milestone, it’s amazing to think that Open Polytechnic has been going for 80 years,” Jen says.
“Happy anniversary Open Polytechnic!”
Jen recommends Open Polytechnic to others.
“Everything you need is online, so it makes it easier,” Jen says.
“It’s given me the difference to be able to be flexible with the workload.”
“Open Polytechnic understands that students have lives, jobs, and other outside factors that affect study and its staff members are very understanding.”
Find out more about our Accounting qualifications.