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Become an Open University Graduation Stall Volunteer today!


Open University graduation ceremonies occur throughout the year and celebrate the achievements of OU students up and down the country as they cross the stage and receive their degrees. The Students Association play a vital role in the day, setting up and running the graduation shop stall to sell merchandise to graduating students throughout the day. From hoodies to mugs, teddy bears to pin badges, the stall offers graduates the opportunity to take something special home to remember their graduation day.

The graduation stalls couldn't run without the Association's team of dedicated and passionate volunteers, who share their time and expertise with OU students to make sure they have access to graduation merchandise, and we'd love for you to get involved and be a part of a ceremony near you. We have a range of opportunities throughout the year for you to apply for, with Graduation volunteer and Coordinator positions open across 2024. Find out more about the roles below, and be a part of a team who have the chance to positively impact the journey of OU students up and down the country while gaining skills in retail, teamwork and leadership along the way!

More information

What is a Graduation Stall Volunteer?

Graduation Stall Volunteers are part of a small team led by a volunteer Graduation Stall Coordinator who represent the OU Students Association by selling OU and Association merchandise at our stall. They will have a range of tasks to complete during the day including:
  • Setting up the graduation stall in accordance with training guidelines
  • Sell various items of merchandise and processing customer payments
  • Monitoring sales
  • Processing manual orders
  • Answering customer queries
  • Promoting the Students Association and signposting where relevant

What is a Graduation Stall Coordinator?

Graduation Stall Coordinators lead a small team of volunteers who represent the OU Students Association by selling OU and Association merchandise at our stall. They are the lead representative and primary contact for the Students Association for the duration of the graduation day. They will have a range of tasks to complete during the day including:
  • Communicating with the graduation volunteers team via SLACK in the lead up to the ceremony
  • Acting as the main point of contact during the graduation day
  • Setting up the graduation stall in accordance with training guidelines
  • Sell various items of merchandise and processing customer payments
  • Monitoring sales
  • Processing manual orders
  • Answering customer queries
  • Promoting the Students Association and signposting where relevant
  • Completing the end of day reconciliation and stall shut down processes

Where are the graduation ceremonies held?

Graduations happen throughout the year up and down the UK in:
  • London, Barbican Centre
  • Belfast, Waterfront Hall
  • Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
  • Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
  • Ely, Ely Cathedral
  • Poole, Lighthouse
  • Newport, ICC
  • Brighton, The Dome
  • Birmingham, Symphony Hall
  • York, Barbican
  • Dublin, Crooke Park

    • To apply we recommend you live within 50 miles from the graduation venue as you can claim up to £70 in travel and £20 for subsistence expenses. You can apply to volunteer for one or more then graduation ceremony.

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Why you should volunteer at an OU graduation ceremony

Four graduation volunteers smile into the camera holding OU merchandise.

 

Experience the buzz of a graduation: become a Graduation Volunteer!

Two volunteers smile into the cameras while in the background, two other volunteers pack products for customers.

 

Who are Graduation Stall Volunteers?

Being a Graduation Stall Volunteer

Become part of a team

Becoming a Graduation Stall Volunteer not only means meeting other graduation volunteers, but also an entire team of over 100 students who currently volunteer at the Students Association through SLACK and other social channels.

Develop retail and customer service skills

In this role you will receive extensive training on what your role entails, including organising, promoting and selling OU merchandise to customers, all skills that could help you in your professional career.

Meet other likeminded Association volunteers

Volunteering has the power to build strong and lasting friendships. Our graduation teams are made up of both new and returning OU students, all eager to volunteer and meet people just like you.

Advance your leadership expertise

If you decide to volunteer as a Graduation Coordinator, you will lead a team of volunteers to make the day the best it can possible be! Being a Graduation Stall Volunteer has given students the confidence to apply for other Association roles within the Leadership Team.