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

Contact details
Name of storyteller: Participant 10

Name of person recording story: Mark Spain

Location: The Education Centre, 1C88

Date of recording: 3 September 2010

How did you become involved in UC WGMP?
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?

 * 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?
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?
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