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OU students open new career dimensions at Alderley Park

Posted on • Explore, Fairs and events, Networking and social media, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

A group of OU students in front of a building at Alderley Park

Career readiness research amongst thousands of OU students reveals that a skill many of you would like to improve on is reaching out and connecting to employers and industry professionals. This is also called networking, and OU Careers and Employability Services has lots of networking resources and tips to help you start.

Getting the inside story directly from the people working in a specific sector or role is a great way to explore career opportunities out there and the routes to them. That’s why we’re always working with employers to create all sorts of opportunities to connect directly, from online panel events to workplace visits.

One such event was the visit to Alderley Life Sciences and Technology Park, a thriving community of over 250 businesses of all sizes. OU students met a range of professionals and employers working at Alderley Park, which also provides access to state-of-the-art lab facilities, a gym, restaurants and even a residential complex, all set in 400 acres of beautiful parkland.

“They have managed to open new real dimensions within the industry and show us what the current reality of this industry is. Magnificent.”
OU student participant in the Alderley Park visit.

As an OU Careers and Employability Consultant who accompanied the students on the site visit, I found it inspiring to see how our students valued the opportunity to peek inside the life sciences and tech sectors. They were surprised to find out the extremely wide range of roles, from technical, scientific and IT to business, sales and marketing opportunities. Students from all backgrounds and circumstances also welcomed the opportunity to talk to professionals in an informal, relaxed way.

“It was a very inclusive and positive day. I struggle really badly with social anxiety but the relaxed atmosphere put me at ease, everyone was really friendly.”
OU student participant in the Alderley Park visit.

Reaching out to employers and professionals usually leads to the unexpected. Whether you’re just discovering what’s out there or exploring pathways to a specific career, remember that Careers and Employability Services are here to support all OU students while you study and for three years after you finish studying. Find us on the Help Centre at open.ac.uk/careers or connect directly with employers, register on a range of career learning events or book an individual careers consultation on OpportunityHub.

Careers and Employability Services
An headshot of Rachel, the author.

Rachel Jolly is an OU Careers and Employability Consultant who specialises in supporting STEM students. Rachel particularly enjoys helping OU students gain entry into sectors they didn’t know they could, and discovering new sectors they didn’t know existed. Rachel also helps design career learning events and resources for the OU. Explore the rest of the Career Stories page for more articles from the Careers and Employability Services team.