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Category: Career planning

Break the career decision deadlock

Whether you’re choosing your first role, planning a career change, or deciding between two exciting opportunities, making the “right” choice can feel overwhelming. The good news is there are practical tools to help you move forwards with confidence. Instead of getting stuck in a loop, try these career decision making strategies to bring clarity and […]

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Charm your CV: unlock the magic of career success

Does rewriting your CV feel like a spell gone wrong? Don’t worry — you don’t need a wand or a cauldron to make your CV shine. We are here to help you master the art of CV wizardry and conjure up fantastic opportunities. Enchant your CV with AI Forget dusty spell books — modern magic […]

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Get into international development using UNICEF Manager Utty’s top tips

Utonnwa (Utty) Akinlaja, Resourcing Manager at UNICEF, shares her top tips for starting a career in international development. Follow UNICEF on the OU’s OpportunityHub to keep up to date with opportunities in the organisation. Discover skills, career opportunities and potential employers in Environment and Development and how to build your work experience to prepare for a career move. Improve your networking skills and if you’re considering working abroad, check out our international job search […]

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Explore a world of career opportunities with your psychology qualification, like Amanda and Anne

Amanda moved from working as a Learning Support Assistant to become a Remote Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner. Anne was an administrator in a drug and alcohol service and is now a Counselling Psychologist in Training. Both studied an OU Psychology degree and worked closer to their goals via sideways moves as they studied. Explore the wide […]

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Overcome challenges and achieve your goals like proud OU graduate Jade

Life is full of ups and downs, tests and bumps in the road. Jade achieved a first-class honours degree in Psychology and Counselling while managing to juggle motherhood, work, study and severe long-term health problems. “I was feeling a little lost after completing my degree and not yet well enough to return to work,” says […]

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Digital internships- OU students share the benefits

Open University students Helen, Emma and Antonina completed internships with Marketing Advisers for Schools (and DES digital platform) and share why they recommend an internship as a way to progress your career. They developed their skills, from communication to problem solving and taking initiative, and put what they learned from OU studies into practice. Explore […]

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OU graduate Linda: My MA is still serving me as a volunteer 20 years later

When Linda Johns studied for a Masters in Education with The Open University 20 years ago, she never expected it would still be serving her at 71 years old. Linda transferred skills from her earlier studies to a volunteering role at the Wren Project, a UK charity offering listening support to people with autoimmune disease. […]

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‘I retrained as a counsellor at 50. Now I see the transformative power of listening in helping others,’ says volunteer manager Sean

OU Psychology and Counselling graduate Sean went on to study for his CPCAB diploma in Integrative Counselling after he graduated. Below, he shares how volunteering for the Wren Project, a charity offering listening support to people with autoimmune disease, led to a rewarding career as Volunteer Manager for the charity. Dive into the Wren Project’s […]

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Work towards your dream job, even if it doesn’t exist yet

Thinking about what to do after graduating? Maybe you’re wondering what the job market will be like in 5 years? How will the growth of artificial intelligence affect you? Your dream job might not even exist yet so how can you plan for it and what skills will you need? Here’s some tips from OU […]

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Get workplace ready and future-proof your career

The Open University’s latest research reveals that 54% of UK organisations have a skills shortage, and 71% of young people say they have been considering their career prospects based on which skills are in-demand in the UK. Using Labour Market Information like this helps you make informed decisions, plan for the future, and explore career […]

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From Open University graduate to policing professional – Lindsey’s story

OU psychology and criminology graduate Lindsey Shipton, now Recruitment, Marketing and Engagement Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC), shares her career journey in policing after graduating. Explore HIOWC’s current exciting career opportunities and optimise your application, CV and interview skills. Hi, I’m Lindsey — a proud Open University graduate and now the […]

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Diversity matters in financial advice – new voices are reshaping the profession

St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy is working to challenge outdated perceptions and build a more inclusive pipeline of future advisers. Explore St. James’s Place’s current opportunities. Since its launch, the Academy has supported over 1,800 individuals into advice roles and continues to attract candidates from all walks of life, including career changers, returners, and […]

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Unlock career clarity with the Six Thinking Hats  

Making career decisions can feel overwhelming, but there’s a powerful tool that can help. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a method designed to help you see your situation from multiple angles, breaking through indecision with clarity and confidence. White hat: gather the facts first What do you already know? What additional information do […]

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Easter is much more than chocolate eggs and bunnies

Lydia and Sue are two Christian colleagues who work in the Careers and Employability Services at the OU. Here are their personal reflections on Lent and Easter, a time to look back and start to navigate your future. Sue, what does Lent and Easter mean to you? Easter is a time of extraordinary joy and […]

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Sketch out your career plan

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” – Pablo Picasso When Pablo Picasso created his masterpieces, he always began with sketches – of ideas, of smaller parts of a bigger […]

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