Building on the tone of the previous two years, 2022 kicked off with a storm induced 7-day power outage that overlapped with having to quarantine at home thanks to a COVID exposure at day care. From there, the whole year felt like a blur of sicknesses and personal challenges. But on reflection there was quite a bit achieved along the way too. Key highlights include:
Business/Career
- Appointed as Dean of the College of Adjuncts at the University of Canberra
- Appointed as a Non-Executive Director at The Mill House Ventures, an innovative social enterprise business advisory and investment intermediary
- Appointed to the Canberra Brand Strategic Advisory Board, assisting the Government through the provision of advice and feedback on strategies that promote and generate positive outcomes that further Canberra’s reputation as a fantastic place to invest in – as a resident, a worker, a student or via a commercial business venture
- Attended the launch of CBR Switched On, which I had the opportunity to contribute to as a member of the ACT Chief Minister’s Canberra Economic Advisory Group (CEAG)
- Re-elected to the AICD ACT Division Council for another 3-year term
- Delivered engagements (via Allaran) for a range of clients, including Honda, 12thLevel, Werkling, and Keeley’s Cause
- Launched CareerVitae to empower individuals to aggregate, manage, verify and share their career information
- Accepted into Blackbird’s Giants program for CareerVitae and connected with some fantastic mentors
- Engaged a team of computing students from ANU (via their TechLauncher program) to help build CareerVitae
- Developed a range of career related programs and delivered training at ANU to help PhD students/EMCRs pursue opportunities in industry
- Attended the Young Change Agents Entrepreneurial Educators Exchange (E3) in Adelaide
- Served on the Boosting Female Founders mentoring panel and had the opportunity to work with a range of fantastic women-led businesses (across tech, education, manufacturing, health and more)
Professional Development & Engagement
- Completed the first half of a Graduate Certificate in Education (specialising in Career Development)
- Spoke on a couple of podcasts (about start-ups), and shared more of my story in the media
- Spoke at a few events, including:
- Australian Institute of Company Directors, Moderator: Canberra Directors’ Briefing – Spotlight on ESG
- Industry Mentoring Network in STEM IMNIS Catalyst Program, Speaker: Meet the Expert
- CONASTA, Panel Speaker: Shape Your Future: learn more about Australia’s diverse STEM Careers (via ATSE)
- University of Canberra, MBA Entrepreneurship unit, Guest Lecturer: Entrepreneurial Journey
- Served as mentor for the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), assisting early career researchers to increase their understanding of industry and extend their professional network beyond academia
Research
- Conducted 11 interviews for my PhD, exploring the careers of individuals concurrently working across industry, research and government
- Working on recruiting more interview participants who are building a tri-sector career
Personal
- Separated from my partner in April and a few weeks later ended up with a 3-day stint in hospital (in ICU) for a severe infection
- The kids and I had what felt like 75 rounds of gastro, RSV and chest infections (plus a pancreatic cystic lesion and cranial nerve issue for me)
- My youngest tripped over while walking with his Dad and smashed his front tooth out (requiring surgery under general anaesthetic)
While it hasn’t been the easiest year, I’m grateful to everyone who offered their support both professionally and personally. In particular, I’d like to thank Paddy Nixon, Michelle Fotheringham, and Andrew Cleary for helping me keep my career on track despite everything else going on. Looking forward to a much better 2023!