Progress your life – find your ikigai

Posted on 3 May 2023 • Career Readiness stages, Progress

At the OU’s Careers and Employability Services we help many students along their path to employment, but thinking about your future is more than work and could include further study, volunteering, or community initiatives. There are many other ways than paid employment to use your skills and try out different things.

You can navigate your pathway to personal progression and fulfilment using FutureYOU, the OU’s personal development planning tool.

The Japanese call this sense of fulfilment ‘ikigai’, meaning ‘reason for being’. If you’re studying for personal development rather than career but want to make your OU study count in life, you’re at the Progress career readiness stage. Ikigai integrates the joy of doing something with a sense of purpose, meaning, and well-being; the reason you get up in the morning. Find your ikigai:

1. Focus on the journey, not the destination

Ikigai is composed of two words: iki, which means life and gai, which describes value or worth. Ikigai is a path, a way of life. Rather than a destination, it’s a continuous, renewed process of self-discovery and growth. Our Career Readiness Pulse  intelligent self-diagnostic will help you to identify which careers skills to develop, and signpost you to tailored resources to support your goals, ideas and needs. You may also find your subject version of FutureYOU on the Plan or Succeed tab of your StudyHome site but if your subject hasn’t got one yet, try the Open qualification version.

2. Get help with decision making

“I want a plan.” OU student

A structured, step-by-step personal development plan will help you map out how far you’ve come and where you might want to progress to. Our career decision making page can also help you with making decisions about your study choices and your future.

3. Explore your strengths and interests

Identify your strengths and skills, including your experience and achievements that have given you a sense of purpose or fulfilment. Use the skills audit exercise on page 32 of Your Career Planning Guide and remember that transferrable skills and qualities are just as important as expertise.

4. Get help with self-reflection

“I’ve just had an in-depth careers consultation and it’s honestly among the best things I have done. Easily the most useful hour I’ve spent this year.”  OU student

Talking to someone can help you work through the questions you need answers to and identify your needs. You can book an individual careers consultation with the OU’s friendly, qualified and experienced guidance experts.

5. Seek inspiration, be open-minded and challenge yourself

“I haven’t worked for years…and it feels too big a step.” OU student

You are never too old to try something new. In Japan, older people are celebrated for passing on their wisdom, giving them a sense of purpose. It’s exciting to evolve and grow but you first might need to build your confidence to go beyond your comfort zone to find rewarding opportunities. Consider getting involved in what’s happening in your local community or volunteering to put your knowledge, experience and skills to something purposeful and fulfilling.

6. Don’t let personal or societal barriers stop you from finding your ikigai

“I have a disability”, “I’m caring for my Dad”, “I have refugee status”, “I’m scared to try anything new”, “I have a criminal conviction”, “I’m old”.

We are used to hearing about the external or personal barriers many OU students need to negotiate in order to find their ikigai. Whatever your circumstances, we can help you navigate barriers you may face throughout your studies and up to three years after you qualify. Find out more about the support you can receive in the workplace in Section 5 of your Career Planning Guide and keep up to date with our latest resources, news and events. Your ikigai awaits.

Careers and Employability Services

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