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How to be a career-confident chameleon

Posted on • Career planning

Move over caterpillars and crabs, it’s time for the chameleon, one of the most fascinating animals on Earth that’s been around for over 60 million years, to help you to develop your career confidence.

Behave like the chameleon. Look forward and observe behind.
Malagasy proverb

Chameleons have 360-degree vision, their eyes moving in two different directions at once. Get a panoramic view of what you have achieved already and then how you can move forward. Our 3-minute careers check-in helps you clarify your goals. Our Navigate Your Future activity pathway then helps you to see where you are in your career journey and work out your next steps.

Recognise your skills and qualities to show your best self

“Something that often sets OU students apart is that they are already working and have experience, which can give them valuable transferable skills.” From an OU employer survey

Chameleons are best known for their amazing ability to adapt and change colour to match a new background. OU students have a wealth of qualities and transferable skills that employers value – and that means you too. Take stock, recognise the skills and qualities you have to offer and show your best colours to employers.

Snatch up opportunities

“The internship helped me get back my self-confidence and develop a better idea about what to do in future.” OU student intern

Chameleons are opportunists with two-foot tongues to snap up their prey at 13 miles per hour. Don’t miss our skills workshops and employer panel events or consider an internship. Our work experience help pages get you started.

Chameleons are prehistoric and popular creatures with diverse shapes, sizes and changing colours. The OU Careers and Employability Services is here to help all OU students and recent alumni achieve their goals. Whatever your background, ethnicity, age, sex or gender, abilities or disabilities, mental or physical health conditions and other differences, we’re here to help you to realise your potential and be a ‘career-confident chameleon’.

OU Careers and Employability Services

Annabel Bennett is a Development Coordinator in the OU’s Careers and Employability Services. She supports careers-related activity both within the service and across the University, helping students to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Explore the rest of our blog for more articles from your careers team.