This week I failed in my applicaton for promotion to Senior Lectureship. I don’t mind saying, it left me feeling undervalued – and a few other emotions too.
Then yesterday – out of the blue, 3 colleagues who I was meeting with for other reasons, all made incredibly encouraging and supportive comments. I went from feeling undervalued by the people who made decisions, but extremely valued by the people with whom I work and who know me best.
Then Ellie, student from my first MSc Conservation and Ecosystem Management cohort was offered her dream job, the interviewers told her she “wowed” them at interview and she told me that it was down to my careers support that she got the interview
Ray, student from the same year, also recently was promoted to Senior Advisor at Natural England and I shared his joy, because before he did my course he was a school lab technician in a school, but wanted to get into conservation
I’m catching up with another former MSc CEM student for a walk this week – the relationships formed on this course don’t finish at the end of the year
A current UG student for whom the whole 3 years has been incredibly tough for personal reasons and who we have supported through, told me she has a job for next year (for which I was referee) – I confess I could not hold back the tears of relief and joy as she told me
A number of students who have contacted me this week for academic support while they have been feeling lost and confused, usually about an assignment, not necessarily mine, but I have been able to help, tbh I cannot remember how many …
I am also stepping down from DPD for CEM – that is quite a wrench.
These are not the only stories I could tell of the sadnesses, frustrations, joys and achievements; I guess it is healthy to be in a place where all these emotions are experienced.
I am so incredibly blessed to work with such good, supportive, fun, interesting and intelligent colleagues. And it is such a privilege to have a hand in helping students get their feet in the door of these vocational careers where they feel they can make a difference in the world; that’s what is is all about. I too feel I can make a difference in my job – and I appreciate it. So promotion? Well – I’ll try again next year!