News from the OU Careers Advisory Service

The OU Careers Advisory Service is working with the Windmills organisation on a pilot project and is looking for OU students or graduates to take part in a new ‘Work-Life Balance’ webinar.

Whether you have used the Windmills ‘Life Fitness Check’ before or not; if you are a career developer or a career changer; if you are starting to think about making changes in your life, this session is for you.

It will involve your attendance at a 90 minute online webinar, which you can access from home.  You don’t need any specialist equipment, just a computer, plus a headset (headphones and a microphone). You’ll also need a pen and some paper to make notes.

The dates for the sessions are:

• Thursday 20th June, from 7.00 - 8.30pm
• Thursday 4th July, from 4.00 - 5.30pm

If you are interested in taking part, email us at careers-project@open.ac.uk stating which session you’d like to attend, and also let us know your OU Personal Identifier.

Careers Advisory Service

Do you know a student journalist who deserves to be discovered?

For 35 years the Guardian Student Media Awards has celebrated excellence in student media and journalism and now it’s your chance to enter. The award is aimed at current university students with a valid NUS card and entrants are required to submit 3 examples of their work. 

The judging panel are looking for the kind of creativity and energy needed to start a successful career in the media. Award categories include student publications, reporters, critics, columnists, broadcasters, photographers and data interactive journalists.

Winners will be awarded two weeks of work experience at the Guardian and runners up will receive one week. The award is highly regarded by the industry and has launched many successful careers in journalism and the media.

The entry deadline is Friday 28 June 2013. A full list of categories and the online entry form are available on the Guardian website.

Eleven fellowships are being offered to students who want to fast-track into an arts fundraising career, in a collaboration between the University of Leeds, Opera North and other cultural organisations.

Fundraising experience isn’t required - they are looking for recent graduates and career-starters with entrepreneurial attributes and a passion for the arts.

These fellowships combine practice and learning over a twelve-month intensive training period, will be certified by the University of Leeds and are designed to inspire and equip a new generation of fundraisers.  

Successful applicants will be based in London, Leeds, Manchester, Gateshead, and Liverpool at host venues including Sadlers Wells Theatre, Tate Liverpool, the Barbican and Dance UK.

Applications must be submitted by 1 July 2013 and more details can be found on the website.

The Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) runs week-long volunteering holidays called ‘Canal Camps’ with the aim of restoring the derelict canals of England and Wales.

Canal Camps are a great experience for anyone who loves being outdoors and enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and of different ages.

They offer volunteers a fantastic chance to learn new skills such as bricklaying, stone walling, machine operation and restoration techniques…and they only cost £56 for the week (this includes food and basic accommodation).

For more details, go to the WRG’s website

or call 01494 783 453 ext 604.

Email: enquiries@wrg.org.uk

The OU Careers Advisory Service is running an online forum for OU students on Employment Issues for Disabled Students from Monday 3rd June to Friday 14th June 2013 (OU username and password required).  Two careers advisers will be moderating the forum and answering questions on any employment related issues which might be of particular concern to disabled students, at any stage of their study.  Queries might relate to, for example:

• Disclosing a disability to an employer
• Supportive work experience opportunities for disabled students
• Reasonable adjustments in the workplace
• Alternative work styles
• Disability related organisations

You can post a question, share advice, thoughts and experiences to support other students or browse responses to others’ queries which may also be relevant to you.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Please note:  This forum is for disabled students with career and employment related queries only.  Please contact your regional or national centre or visit www.open.ac.uk/disability if you require any other type of support.

The OU Careers Advisory Service is working with the Windmills organisation on a pilot project and is looking for OU students and alumni to take part in a new ‘Work-Life Balance’ webinar.

Whether or not you have used the Windmills Life Fitness Check before; if you are a career developer or a career changer; if you are starting to think about making changes in your life, this session is for you.

It will involve your attendance at a 90 minute online webinar, which you can access from home.  You don’t need any specialist equipment, just a computer, plus a headset (headphones and microphone).  You’ll also need a pen and some paper to make notes.

The date for the next session is:

Thursday 13th June from 6:00pm to 7:30pm

If you are interested in taking part, email us at:
careers-project@open.ac.uk stating your PI number and which session you’d like to attend, and we’ll do the rest.

Monday 10th June 2013
11.30am - 3.30pm
East Midlands Conference Centre
University Park

• Meet more than 30 graduate employers

• Discuss your career plans with an adviser

• Perfect your CV with help from our team

• Take part in an industry insight workshop

Free entry - book your place online

Wednesday 5th June 2013
Olympia, London
11am - 4pm

• 100s of graduate careers and placements

• Industry seminars offering inside track tips

• CV and employability advice from experts

• Interview techniques zone and live jobs board

Whether you are graduating this year, have recently graduated or are graduating next year, come along and talk to prestigious employers and blue-chip recruiters.

You’ll meet companies with jobs, careers and placements.  Find out about postgraduate study, gap year options, career advice and competitions…and all for free.

REGISTER NOW and seek out your perfect career or postgraduate opportunity with the unique compatibility matching service.

Tuesday 4th June 2013
St George’s Hall
10.30am - 3.30pm

Featuring a wide range of employers showcasing graduate opportunities throughout the UK for summer and autumn 2013.

Visit the website for further details and a full list of exhibitors.

Top graduate recruiters and postgraduate course providers under one roof. 

Wednesday 12th June 2013

11am - 5pm

Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin

Register online for FREE admission