lecturer

student advisor

senior project manager

postdoctoral associate

research associate

The Open University UK

My current position within Student Registrations is to provide front of line services to the University's 240,000+ students. These services may include general information about Higher Education, including ways to pay, nature of study, time required to study and how The Open University would work for them etc. 
I am also responsible for resolving Student queries relating to their studies i.e. study paths and study intentions, registering new students onto qualifications and ensuring any queries raised by student are forwarded to the correct department. I also am responsible for providing general advice and guidance for students in order to assist them with their study plans. My department works closely with all departments within the OU and my centre has recently been awarded a centre of excellence within the OU for our excellent knowledge based work ethic. 

My duties also include processing postal registration documents. This process includes processing sponsorship invoices, staff fee waivers, postal queries (incorrect information, no form of payment etc.) and finally general registrations for students. I am also responsible for ensuring any post sent to my department incorrectly is forwarded to the correct department through our internal mail systems. 

I also am regularly required to respond to e-mails from students from not only across the UK but also from across Europe and the wider world. This not only requires a high level of acumen but also knowledge and critical thinking in order to answer queries and direct students to the correct information they need in a user friendly manner. For example, providing weblinks, or even producing bespoke .PDF format instruction pamphlets, which I have been commended numerous times in my department for making for students. 

I am also involved with IT development within my department. I am currently BETA testing a new version of our bespoke registration software - CIRCE. This development is crucial to ensure that our front line computer systems will be able to deal with the influx of students we usually experience in peak periods. Once this testing is done, our computing systems to cope with high volumes of traffic from our staff members and therefore ensure that there are no errors when processing requests. 

We regularly have social events within my department, and I was also involved in a Christmas Pantomime organised by staff members in order to boost morale and festive spirits. 

I am also part of our Staff Forum which allows me to channel any views of staff members to higher management.

I worked in the Student Registration & Enquiry Assistant at the Milton Keynes campus. Initially we were told the training would be for 8 weeks but it was then cut down to 6 weeks during which we spent only 2.5 - 3 hours of the full 6 weeks actually listening to advisers taking calls. The rest of the time was spent watching powerpoint presentations on the various system the department uses. The role is not scripted so you are expected to be able to take calls from enquirers and know what you are meant to be saying, this was incredibly difficult due to the fact we had only listened to calls for 3 hours tops over the training period. Upon explaining the situation to the trainers i ended up making the decision to leave the role only to receive a call a week later asking me to return to the role on the grounds that i would receive extra one on one training. After returning to the role i was told to go live on the phones taking calls from enquirers again despite the fact I felt like i had no idea what i was meant to be saying, in the end i was paired with another team member who was in the exact same situation i was in. I remained at the role for a further 2 weeks which were incredibly stressful and difficult yet not once did i receive any additional training and when i queried this with a manager or the trainers (multiple times) all they would say is that they would look into it for me. I ended up leaving the role permanently 2 weeks later as it became clear to me no additional training was going to be provided. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life, i came away from the role feeling extremely unconfident and worthless.

Was part timassoc. e lectuer in socsci and my work based around my FT role snd caring resps. Suppotive but also once zhown how capable i am,this soon reduced. open door policy and felt dupported, valued and they tried to boost self confidence in me  in the field ehich helped me move forward successfully in all parts of life. Downsides are was made redundant due to dropping student numbers snd although had been with then for 8 yrs, iwas last one in on this project.. Contracts for these pt roles are insecure, they limited to cycle of specific course, unless its not getting enough students. Vhsnging funding and tutiont codts in engksnd esp really impacted ou at time, hence staff cuts n lack of students,but this maybe improved a number yrs ltr, after i left..   but earning 560 gbp mo th for approx 5 yrs a week, which is helpful. Plus some support as req from student support services and disability advisors for students. Have to manage time wrll and be prepsred to set boundaries  as managers advise, but still have students rather in distress due to personal matters impacting on study or panicking about looming cesdline.  Busy busy times when essays etc are due in, and hsve to plan relevant student centred tutorials  frequency depends on yr of study, so third yrs etc only have msybe one every 6 to 8 wks or longer even. But i also used planned phone turtorials, conf calls tutorials,  online live seminzrs / tutorials, snd other tech to assist which v useful. Sometimes not enough hrs built it to prepare, but all in all, go for it, good company and contact n meetings in milton keynes, the HQ also positive. 
I  miss the OU to be honestpp

Maybe because it's the OU I had higher expectations of how I would be treated and trained but from start to finish of a fixed term contract I was left, by turns, disillusioned, angered, appalled, disgusted, frustrated, bored, unsupported, isolated... The list is long. Most of the staff there are very nice, but it's difficult to deal with problems with people who only do nice, so that also was a challenge. I had a few incidences with managers that were so stunningly unprofessional that I did, in the end make a formal complaint which was upheld but I could have made more, I just didn't have the energy. I found the workplace managerial culture defensive and in denial about a lot of the problems within the way either individuals or processes operated and was pretty unimpressed with what should be an intelligent, decent group of people in a support-role department. Even though you can ask for help, you're still expected to find a lot of the answers to students queries yourself which can be very daunting and time consuming. It's very complex stuff that you need to know to be able to do the job well, so I found that hard with such undependable and intermittent support.

The OU is an interesting and fun place to work, with a diverse group of employees and personalities and a variety of roles. Is slowly turning into a more corporate environment with business models based more on a banks structure than an academic university which is free-flowing and interchangeable; there is little room for individual or team "collective" progression, little praise or communications and therefore low morale across the whole network of departments. Resource management regarding daily duties is decided by analyzing unreliable statistics rather than logical planning to provide a quality service. No feedback mechanism, opinions not really valued, only humored. No opportunity to put my own mark on my work; no individual tasks or goals to work towards. A more "human", realistic outlook is needed, and input from lower grade staff members needs to be used as they have a 360 degree understanding of the business needs and student needs and are better equipped to assist in making decisions, as opposed to middle and senior managers, who very rarely step a foot on the "trading floor". Much room for improvement, however, as a positive focus, good camaraderie between regional staff and lower level management, satisfactory leave allowance and breaks.

I have been working as a cover supervisor, History, PE and Art instructor and also taken on the role as a Pastoral Support Manager for Sixth form over the last ten years at Clacton Coastal Academy.
Over the years I have gained so much experience within my roles, for example Student management, parental engagement, careers help and advice, universities, teaching, setting up new projects, planning and delivering lesson, using a wide range of technology and media, being a first point of call for both students and parents, I have also dealt with the attendance and resolving issues, I have organised trips and events and also been in charge of issuing the bursary funds.
I’m a very enthusiastic, contentious and hardworking individual, who will always strive to make her best better and give opportunities to students and to give help and advice where needed. I work extremely well as part of a team and on individual projects. I ‘am a approachable and outgoing women who can mould herself to any given task or environment. I have always tried my best to be successful and to be a positive role model for our future generation.
I feel that I can bring my experiences and knowledge to help create wonderful outcomes and support for the students and guide them into their future.

There is no typical day as every day throws up new and interesting challenges. I am normally at work by 8.00am and help set up the days activities and lessons for my class. As I am charged with looking after a particular individual I also ensure that the pupil is settled and ready to learn. Once that is achieved I will either take an intervention group which can range from extra Maths or phonics to social skills group. This will then normally be followed with helping the class as a whole. Occasionally I might be need to start the lesson or take the whole lesson if the teacher is busy with other duties. My day will end between 1.30 and 4.00pm dependent on what I am required to do or if I am taking an afternoon class as cover. The other members of staff are always supportive and a great deal of fun. Collectively we take particular pride in making sure no chid suffers in silence and have all signed up to a 'listen ear' programme where we make time to listen to the individual issues of our pupils.
Working with children is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. I love every aspect of the working day from engaging with the children individual basis to helping them learn and grow in confidence.

Personal Statement 
I work with people all the time and have a good understanding of them and their needs and really enjoy putting others first. I always carry myself in a professional, polite and courteous manner and strive to give good service to customers, clients and fellow colleagues. My interpersonal skills enable me to build great long lasting relationships with people at all levels and no job is too big or small. I have the ability to prioritise and work on my own initiative and maintain high levels of confidentiality, discretion and diplomacy. I am highly organised, efficient and honest.  In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, taking part in disability sport such as “Walking Football”, playing card games, spending time with family and holidaying abroad. I also partake in volunteer activities such as the “Cerebral Palsy” World cup where I was a venue assistant and steward. 
Key Skills and Abilities
Customer Service/ Fire Marshall/ First Aider/ Team Work/ Computer Literate/ Confidentiality/ Flexible/ Adaptable/ Enthusiastic/ Basic DIY/ Good Communicator/ Friendly/ Approachable/ Reliable/ Health & Safety/ Knowledge of COSHH

Having worked as a lecturer in a number of other UK universities, I found a stint as an AL at the Open University quite shocking in terms of the amount of work you are expected to do for the money.  It is not made clear to the students that they cannot expect a great deal of extra (unpaid) feedback from their tutors and you constantly feel pressured into working all hours of the night and day to help them.  This is surprising from an online education delivery system, as there are others out there that deal with this well and make sure the students have realistic expectations.

Even beyond that, the pay is not competitive, especially in view of the amount of marking one is expected to do.  For the money, the marking workload is more than double of anywhere else I've worked.  

Basically, the OU may be fine if you're in admin or IT or some type of support role, but if you're a lecturer avoid, avoid, avoid!!

The OU is a wonderful employer who look after their staff and offer various attractive benefits including a great pension, flexible working hours and many clubs and leisure pursuits. The grounds at Walton Hall make for a lovely working environment surrounded by lakes, fields and greenery, which makes for a welcome setting when getting away from your desk at lunchtimes.
A typical day is varied with queries and liaisons with different teams and colleagues. This is the most enjoyable part of the job as I enjoy networking and forging good working relationships. I often provide technical support and training to staff that I manage.
My co-workers make my day more enjoyable, I am lucky enough to work with a great mix of folk.
The hardest part of the job is getting processes to be rolled out quickly for an efficient and smooth transition. 
Management are supportive and encouraging of getting the best creative output from their staff.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Lecturer 19 salaries reported	£49,222 per year
Student advisor 14 salaries reported	£25,213 per year
Senior project manager 6 salaries reported	£50,298 per year
Postdoctoral associate 8 salaries reported	£41,553 per year
Research associate 6 salaries reported	£40,757 per year

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