UC Women's Group Mentoring Program/Participant 10's story

Most Significant Change

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Contact details

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Name of storyteller: Participant 10

Name of person recording story: Mark Spain

Location: The Education Centre, 1C88

Date of recording: 3 September 2010

Questions

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How did you become involved in UC WGMP?

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I was involved in research and research grants. I was involved in collaboration in future groups. In subsequent years I was involved with academics group. I helped with residential. This was a great confidence builder. I knew who to go to for help. It was good for how to advance my career. I was younger and at a different stage of my career. I had seven years in the research office. I built on that and got involved in the Women’s Professional Development Committee. I was settled at uni and wasn’t looking outside. It gave me impetus and confidence for looking outside. I negotiated what I wanted in my job outside. It was a good outcome and came from lateral thinking. It was a higher level part-time job. I saw other women get higher status jobs outside. They used this time to set goals in a supportive environment. EAs still meet regularly. You know people as a result of the WGMP.

1. What changes have you noticed since you have finished the program?

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  1. I was new to the uni. It gave me networks and helped me understand how the uni functioned.
  2. It also gave me the impetus to study. I will graduate this year.

2. What has been the MOST significant change?

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The most significant change for me was the connections and the sense of impetus for the undertaking the next thing. I can use that experience as a template for a new job or a new house. It is good for goal setting and support for achieving goals with a network of support around you. It helped me define my goals. You can’t achieve something if you are too vague about it.

Beginning (situation before the change)

I had some strengths already. I built on these. I didn’t know anybody. I didn’t know how the uni functioned.

Middle (what happened)

I started to form relationships and a blossoming network. I noticed how we let the network emerge.

End (situation after)

I now see myself as a part of layers of networks – me, my group, the Women’s Group Mentoring Program, the University, Canberra. I also since have done the Springboard Program offered by PMP.

3. Why was this change significant for you?

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It has helped me to achieve things beyond UC - my job outside and my studies. It has given me a structure to move ahead – setting a goal and achieving it. I am the Manager of the XYZ at ANU. This promotion and pay rise gave me kudos and a sense of recognition. UC was going through a difficult time and because of the additional strain people weren’t being recognized. It was good for me to be recognized and get a job outside.


from Jess Dart http://www.clearhorizon.com.au