· Alex Mac · Development · 5 min read
Two Modules, Two Merits
Reflecting on achieving two more Pass with Merit results in my 3rd and 4th MSc modules, balancing academic intensity, personal loss and a continued commitment to long-term growth and purpose.
A few days ago I received the results for my third and fourth MSc in Technology Management modules with The Open University: TB801: Technology and Innovation Management and T892: Sustainable Organisations: Theory and Practice, successfully achieving a Pass with Merit in both!
Taking these two modules simultaneously was one of the most academically demanding decisions I have made so far in my postgraduate journey. However, it was a deliberate choice, made with the clear intention of staying on track to complete my MSc within two years of starting it.
Looking back now in mid-December, the results feel less like a finish line and more like a reflection of resilience, discipline and long-term commitment.
Studying Through Challenge and Change
This study period was not without its difficulties.
Alongside the usual academic pressures, I faced several personal and professional hurdles. The most difficult of all was the loss of my dog, River, who had been part of my life for 11 years, just as my final assessments were due. Experiencing that level of personal loss during such a critical academic period was incredibly tough.
There were moments where stepping back would have been the easier option… instead, I made a conscious decision to see both modules through to completion. Not perfectly, not effortlessly but with consistency, focus and perseverance. Achieving Merit in both modules despite those circumstances is something I am genuinely proud of.
Technology and Innovation Management
This module significantly deepened my understanding of how organisations manage technological innovation in practice, rather than just in theory.
For my final assessment, I produced a case study analysing the technological management and innovation process behind the launch of the original iPhone in 2007. This allowed me to explore innovation from a strategic and operational perspective, considering factors such as:
- Technology readiness levels
- Technology diffusion and adoption
- The role of marketing and public relations in disruptive innovation
- Product strategy and ecosystem positioning
- How organisations successfully introduce transformative technologies
Studying a landmark technological innovation through an academic lens reinforced how successful innovation is rarely accidental. It is typically the result of structured strategy, timing, organisational capability and effective stakeholder alignment. I found these themes extremely interesting as they strongly connect with my developing interest in project and programme environments.
Sustainable Organisations: Theory and Practice
Running alongside my Technology and Innovation Management module, this module shifted my focus towards sustainability, governance and responsible organisational decision-making.
My final assessment took the form of an environmental report examining the feasibility of the UK Government’s solar power mandate for new homes. Through this work, I explored key sustainability frameworks and concepts, including:
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit
- Environmental policy and organisational responsibility
- Long-term strategic sustainability planning
- The balance between economic viability and environmental impact
This module was particularly impactful in shaping how I think about the future of technology and leadership. Innovation without sustainability is short-sighted and modern organisations must increasingly consider environmental and social implications alongside financial performance.
The Reality of Taking Two Modules
Taking these modules together required a significant increase in discipline, time management and mental resilience.
Balancing two academically intensive modules meant:
- Managing overlapping deadlines
- Switching between strategic innovation and sustainability theory
- Maintaining momentum despite personal challenges
- Staying aligned with my long-term academic and professional goals
It was demanding, but also very rewarding! The experience has strengthened my ability to manage competing priorities, a skill that is directly transferable to my future project management and leadership roles.
Academic Progress and Perspective
With four modules now completed, this milestone represents a major step forward in my MSc in Technology Management journey. Each module has progressively expanded my perspective: from strategic capabilities and innovation management to sustainability and organisational responsibility.
More importantly, this period has reinforced that progress is not always linear or easy. Sometimes growth happens alongside grief, disruption and uncertainty. Continuing to show up and commit to long-term goals during those moments is, in itself, a form of achievement.
A Moment of Gratitude and Reflection
Postgraduate study requires persistence, adaptability and quiet determination, with every result reflecting on a significant personal journey behind the scenes for not just myself, but for all the other students who receive their results across academic institutions.
As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on academic outcomes, personal endurance, purpose and direction. This year has been one of growth in every sense: intellectually, professionally and personally.
River’s loss reminded me of the importance of perspective, while these results have reminded me of the value of perseverance.
Looking Ahead to the Final Stage
With these modules now completed, I enter the final phase of my MSc journey with renewed motivation and clarity. The combination of innovation management and sustainability has further solidified my aspiration to move towards roles that integrate technology, strategy, project leadership and public value.
Finishing this term with two Merits, despite significant personal challenges, feels like a powerful closing chapter to the year. It also provides me with a strong foundation as I progress through the final stages of my MSc in the first few months of 2026.
Sometimes the most meaningful achievements are not the ones that come easily, but the ones we carry through with resilience, purpose and quiet determination.
