Welcome to the free badged course, Returning to STEM. This course is here to help you get back to work in Science, Technology,
Engineering or Mathematics. The course is intended for anyone who wants to get back into STEM work after having a break, whether to care for family, because
of redundancy or for other reasons.
Watch the following video in which Dr Sue Black OBE introduces the course.
There are case study videos placed throughout the course to show you how other people have navigated their own unconventional careers. Importantly, you will hear about how they have got back to STEM employment after a career break.
Enrolling on the course will give you the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. Badges are not accredited by The Open University but they're a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development.
Once you are signed in, you can manage your digital badges online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print your OpenLearn Statement of Participation – which also displays your Open University badge.
The Open University would really appreciate a few minutes of your time to tell us about yourself and your expectations for the course before you begin, in our optional start-of-course survey.
Once you complete the course we would also value your feedback and suggestions for future improvement, in our optional end-of-course survey. Participation will
be completely confidential and we will not pass on your details to others.
This course is supported and recommended by STEM Returners, a programme that helps to facilitate a start in or return to STEM careers.
This course is endorsed by the CPD Standards Office . It can be used to provide evidence of continuing professional development but is not accredited learning. We are unable to provide formal learner verification services for participation in our open online courses, which are provided freely by The Open University as self-directed CPD.
Anyone wishing to provide evidence of their enrolment on this course is able to do so by sharing their Activity Record on their OpenLearn Profile, which is available before completion of the course and earning of the Statement of Participation.
Earn this free Open University digital badge if you complete this course! The badge can be displayed, shared and downloaded as a marker of your achievement. The badge is awarded for completing the course and passing the quizzes.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- identify key experiences and attributes, and know how to use online tools effectively to be visible
- identify long-term goals and create an action plan and CV to achieve these
- know about future trends in STEM employment and where to find STEM jobs online
- identify mentors and networks that can help with returning to work
- understand work–life balance solutions and know more about different types of flexible and agile working.
First Published: 24/02/2016
Updated: 09/01/2020
I felt the course provided a lot of informaiton, and moreover much of it was probably useful generally, and not just for a STEM career. And indeed perhaps even when starting a career, not just returning to one, with for example, information on CV writing, the use of Linked In, action planning, the STAR interview technique.
Overall, highly recommended to anyone returning to, or even starting a career.