Mother of three unlocks new career in law through Uber-OU partnership

Anieka Ali has a lot to be proud of. She was one of the first undergraduate students to complete a degree with The Open University (OU) through a hugely successful partnership with Uber. Thanks to Uber funding, Anieka – who is married to an Uber driver – graduated with a first-class honours law degree in September 2023.

Since then, Anieka has worked for a paralegal firm, volunteered with a law clinic, and gained experience helping with a campaign for a humanitarian aid charity, before being offered a role as a risk and compliance officer at the same charity. Most recently, she has been awarded a scholarship to complete her law training. All of this while bringing up three young children.

Challenges with traditional education

Anieka’s OU experience stands in stark contrast to her first attempt at a law qualification during sixth form college. She was unable to complete her studies at that time, as the classroom environment and conventional pathway were not a good fit. The same difficulties arose when she later pursued a teaching degree at a campus-based university.

Unsure of her next career move, Anieka decided to concentrate on her home life and starting a family. Two children followed but the desire to become a lawyer was still strong and Anieka wanted to prove to herself that she could do it. Her caring responsibilities made traditional study impractical; she realised she needed the flexibility of online learning and decided to study through the OU.

A second chance at higher education

Anieka’s husband, who worked as an Uber driver, came home one evening with exciting news – he was eligible for an Uber Pro reward. This reward enables Uber drivers, or a close family member, to study through the OU, with tuition fees fully funded by the company.

I think it’s an absolutely brilliant initiative and the timing was just perfect. My tuition fees were covered so it was an incredible opportunity.

Anieka Ali
OU Law degree graduate

Anieka enrolled at the OU in February 2020 and navigated the challenges of her final year while pregnant with her third child. “Results day was amazing – it was a double achievement because I came away with a first-class honours degree, having handed in my final assessment five days after giving birth to my third child.”

Why the online model worked

Tutor-supported online learning was a much better fit for Anieka than being in a classroom. She appreciated the ability to organise her study time and schedule the learning around her home life and caring responsibilities. “It was really flexible and I could watch recordings in my own time and the tutors were really lovely and supportive. It was a very different experience to school.”

Forging a new career in law

When she completed her degree course and started looking for work, she quickly recognised the lasting value of an OU qualification.

The OU is very highly regarded as an institution. And employers know that you are self-motivated and disciplined, particularly if you have other responsibilities, such as children to care for.

Anieka Ali
OU Law degree graduate

Her new role in risk and compliance has been a huge boost to her career prospects and has seen her writing risk assessments, supporting legal regulatory work, conducting policy reviews and working with internal and leadership colleagues to ensure compliance across the entire organisation. Anieka’s long-term goal is to grow into a leadership role in regulatory law, where she can combine legal expertise with strategic impact.

This summer, the CILEX Foundation announced that Anieka was one of nine candidates successful in receiving CILEX Foundation Scholarship awards. The foundation aims to diversify the legal sector by providing academic awards and career enhancing opportunities to students who may otherwise face challenges.

Why the Uber-OU partnership works

Anieka recommends OU study and the Uber Pro rewards programme, especially to someone like herself facing social mobility issues. “There can be barriers, not because you don’t want to study or work, but because you can’t. I hope this initiative carries on for many, many years.”

Both Anieka and her husband are highly appreciative of the Uber scheme. Anieka says it has increased her husband’s loyalty to Uber and thinks that will continue. “Our eldest child is only 12, but he says he will get her on the programme when she is 18!”

Find out how the OU can partner with your business to offer learning as part of rewards and benefits: