Overcome career setbacks like OU student Dan

Posted on 18 March 2026 • Career planning

OU student and disabled veteran Dan talks about the shock of losing his military career after a motorcycle accident and how his resulting struggle with job seeking impacted his mental health. Now studying towards a BSc (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree, Dan is looking forward to new career opportunities. Find out how to successfully deal with career challenges like Dan and develop your career resilience to confidently handle setbacks.

Help with job-seeking

After being medically discharged from the military, Dan found it difficult to find work:

“the first 8 months out of the military became 327 job applications”

If you’re struggling with your job search, use our job seeking sources and strategies pages to help you discover relevant opportunities and when you’re ready to apply, find everything you need to know to maximise your chances of success using our CVs, applications and interviews resources.

Mental health support

Like Dan, many OU students tell us how dealing with setbacks and struggling with job seeking can take its toll on their mental health.

“the rejection from trying to find opportunity was something that I wasn’t prepared for… it impacted me massively”

Find support and resources in our Mental Health and your career webinar.

Hope through opportunity

Dan seized the opportunity to study for a degree through the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund and is looking forward to the new opportunities this will open up:

“the opportunity to study for a degree and potentially begin a brand new career is something so profound…”

Explore career options with your degree and start to plan your brighter future too.

Next steps

Get inspired by watching Dan’s video.

If you’d like further support with your job search or your career plans in general, contact Careers and Employability Services. We’re here for you throughout your studies and for 3 years afterwards.