Carer, student or career changer? – Who are you today?

Posted on 26 May 2022 • Carers

We all have different roles – some days I can be a carer, mum, careers consultant, friend, finance manager, admin worker, first aider, grown up daughter, cook, cleaner, event organiser… The list is endless.”

Jackie Pickles, OU Careers and Employability Consultant

I bet some of you recognise this, especially if you’re juggling caring responsibilities with your studies and other commitments. Around 7.6 million people in the UK (15% of the population) are carers looking after a parent, partner, child or friend. Here at the OU we know the flexible way of learning fits well with busy lives and we have lots of students who are caring for family members or friends. But what about your goals and career plans? I’m Jackie, a careers consultant and carer for my mum.

You’re building skills employers want

You might think you don’t have the right skills for that job you’re dreaming of, think again! What are the most sought-after skills by employers? Communication, Teamwork, Negotiation, Planning and Organisation, and Problem solving are all up there. I bet you use these skills most days, I know I do caring for my mum. You might be negotiating with family members, communicating with Social Services, or problem solving when you need to be in two places at once!

Part one of our 15-minute webinar series Managing your Career alongside Caring (see Welsh language version) covers your career options, what you can offer employers, your CV, and small steps to get you started. You can also use this employability skills audit to list all the things you do in your daily life and in your study that demonstrate top skills you can transfer to the workplace. I bet you meet most of them.

Opportunities are out there

Your caring responsibilities might mean that finding time to explore your career is challenging. Part 2 of our Managing your Career alongside Caring webinar series (see Welsh language version) covers building up contacts in your chosen career, gaining work experience, being successful in your job search, and your rights as a carer in employment. You can also find flexible working opportunities using OpportunityHub to search all types of vacancies from voluntary work or paid internships to part-time and full-time roles.

OU students who are carers can take part in Connections for Carers, which is a unique scheme helping student carers at the OU to meet an employer and have an informal conversation about the job role and the industry sector they work in. Please complete the Expression of Interest form if you’re interested in taking part.

So what next?

Our intelligent self-diagnosis tool, Career Readiness Pulse, can signpost you to tailored support most relevant to your needs. You can keep up with new resources and upcoming events by checking your email folders for your monthly Careers Express newsletter and don’t forget you can request an individual careers consultation where we can talk about your situation, your career ideas and what your next steps might be.

You are not alone as a carer, student, or career changer. Have a look at the OU Students’ Association to find out about student clubs and societies you could get involved in. There are also lots of sources of information and ways to connect with other carers on the Carers UK website.

Hope that’s helped a bit, don’t forget how great you are doing! I’d better go now as I need to make a doctor’s appointment for my mum…

Careers and Employability Services

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