Alumni Association
Whatever your ambitions, background, personal identity, mental or physical health condition, location, ethnicity or culture, abilities or disabilities, the OU’s Careers and Employability Services are here to help you, and all OU alumni, navigate your future for three years after studying. With our range of online interactive tools and resources, online events and workshops, and one-to-one guidance from careers professionals, here are four ways the careers team can help you be career-ready. Find out more on our alumni welcome page.
97% of students using the OU’s Careers and Employability Services would recommend this quality-certified, award-winning service.
We know that when finishing OU study, all new alumni will be at different stages of their personal and career journeys. So we introduced ‘career readiness’, a new way of tailoring support to your needs. Career Readiness Pulse is an intelligent self-diagnostic that will direct you to a range of relevant support and resources to help you navigate your future.
“It's comforting to know that even a year after graduating, I can still count on The OU to help with my career goals.” OU graduate
Yet to discover what your career ambitions are or where your OU study can take you? Start by working through the ‘Know yourself’ section of Your Career Planning Guide to identify your skills and strengths, your values and what you want from work. Then discover different pathways and career ideas matched to your skills, passions and interests with KudosAD.
“I received helpful advice in helping me transition to a new career. I was also given information on roles suitable to my degree that I hadn't realised were there. The ongoing support is invaluable as well.” OU student
Explore the labour market, browse relevant job vacancies, follow OU-friendly employers or find volunteering, flexible internships and work placements to develop your skills further with OU exclusive platform OpportunityHub. Plus join a host of live workshops, panel events, forums, virtual site visits and online careers fairs with opportunities to meet employers and other OU alumni through OpportunityHub events.
2021 research showed the most common words employers use to describe OU students and alumni are ‘self-starters’, ‘adaptable’ and ‘diverse’.
Whether it’s your first role or a promotion, we can help make you stand out to employers and boost your confidence in the recruitment process. Use interactive Abintegro tools with built-in artificial intelligence to create a winning CV and perfect your online and face-to-face interview techniques. And for further support don’t forget can book an individual careers consultation up to three years after studying.
“Excellent advice, prompt service, supportive and friendly. The advice I received was invaluable to my compiling a CV and I was given thoughtful feedback, links to do my own research, and relevant tips. Would definitely recommend!” OU student