UC Women's Group Mentoring Program/Gaynor's story

Contact details
Name of storyteller: Gaynor Evans

Name of person recording story: Mark Spain

Location: The Education Centre, 5A22

Date of recording: 14 July 2010

How did you become involved in UC WGMP?
I applied and my participation was approved and fully supported by my supervisor.

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

 * 1) Increased knowledge of the university and who to ask for things. I had been working here for six years but the program helped greatly. Knowledge was reinforced by speakers from the uni coming to talk eg time management and work-life integration.
 * 2) Better self organisation skills.
 * 3) Increased confidence and comfort in my existing knowledge and skills.
 * 4) Greater ability to take on work challenges. I took on more a more front and centre leadership role by training a little group/pool of four casual staff members in our systems and procedures each year.
 * 5) I did online courses through ALIA and Uni of Sheffield - one on supervision and the other on quality assurance. I worked with an online buddy from another institution. UC paid for one course and I paid for the other. I wouldn’t have stepped up to these opportunities but for the confidence I gained and became aware of from the WGMP.
 * 6) I built a broader network across the university.
 * 7) I consolidated two part time jobs into one full time job and built more satisfaction into my work.

2. What has been the MOST significant change?
My most significant change was ceasing to work in two part time jobs and applying for and getting a different full time job.

Beginning (situation before the change)

One of the part time jobs was 14hrs per week and growing in demands. It needed two people full time to do it justice. I enjoyed this job but it generated a lot of stress. This job was structured in such a way that there was never enough time to accomplish all the tasks.

I was able to talk with my mentoring group about the stress of this job and brainstorm different ways to tackle it. My supervisor was good but had no idea of the impact of the stress of the extra work that just kept coming in.

There was no sense of job satisfaction.

Middle (what happened)

A full time position at a higher level came up in the same area as my other part time job. I applied for it and won it. It was sad to relinquish the other job, because the subject matter was fascinating, but the change was better for me. This was a big decision.

In the previous job I felt like I never had a chance to finish tasks. Through discussions on the WGMP I realised that my work preferences are to be organised and to finish tasks, and look at what I have achieved and obtain a sense of satisfaction.

End (situation after)

This job change has been very good for me. It was a great benefit to me to work with my mentoring group to deconstruct what was going on and come up with some great solutions to work with. The learning insight for me was to break things down into manageable chunks and to use my improved organisation skills to help.

3. Why was this change significant for you?
It did involve a lot of thought and consideration and it’s now a whole new job for me. I’m doing a job that gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I’m now more in tune with the way I work. I like to see myself achieve things in a timeframe I can manage.

I was able to brainstorm with my WGMP buddies and follow through on the outcomes.

Whole new job! = Great significance

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