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Standing with Pride: Could this month be a turning point in your career?

Posted on Career planning, Fairs and events, Graduate opportunities, Jobs, internships and work experience, LGBT+

OU at 50 logo rainbow colours

The OU is extremely proud of its role in promoting and driving inclusivity and diversity and our logo is sporting Pride rainbow colours this June to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Here at Careers and Employability Services we’ve got OU Careers Consultant Cathy, our expert in equality and diversity, to give us the low-down on support available to LGBT+ OU students so you can feel #OUCareerConfident and succeed in the workplace. Cathy says:

People often study with the OU because they want to make a change in their life. That change can mean looking at yourself, where you are in your life, people who support you and people you support. Planning your future isn’t just a sudden one-off decision, it’s a process – it needs thinking time.

“The Career Planning and Job Seeking Workbook is the place to start. It has lots of advice on the career planning, decision making and recruitment processes that students and graduates undertake, as well as specific information relating to gender, sexuality and sexual orientation.

Feel confident in the workplace

When it comes to applying for jobs – use positive language, highlight your skills, make use of support networks and target organisations with good equal opportunities policies. Find more advice on equality and diversity.

Have you heard of the Ally Network? Many employers have set up Ally Programmes to support LGBT+ colleagues who may feel less confident about being themselves in the workplace. IBM’s Susannah and Oli talked about how they create inclusive cultures in our webinar about Ally Programmes

Pete Mercer, Head of Membership Programmes at Stonewall, describes the work they do and the support and available professional networks in our Stonewall: LGBT+ Careers Guidance webinar.

Please note, these webinars are available to registered students and alumni within 3 years only.

Connect with other students

PLEXUS – the OU Students’ Association LGBT+ Group for all OU students, alumni and staff – are attending Pride events throughout the Summer. Please use the online registration form to let us know if you’d like to come along and have a fabulous time while getting involved with the LGBT+ community.

The OU would love to hear your story about what makes the OU a great place to you as a student, member of staff or supporter on social media by using the hashtag #OUFamily or via email: .

Don’t forget you can contact Careers and Employability Services for advice and guidance, during your study and for up to three years afterwards.”

Cathy, OU Careers Consultant