Wolfson Mentor Connect: Career Journeys

Wolfson Mentor Connect launched its academic year with a highly successful and candid discussion on Career Journeys, drawing a wide range of attendees from across the Wolfson community.

Featuring Emeritus Fellow Professor Anne Deighton, Supernumerary Fellow Dr Alison Rosenblitt, and Governing Body Fellow Professor Loren Landau, the event uniquely shifted the focus from discussing research, to personal pathways and challenges. Speakers were invited to reflect on their major career transitions and the invaluable lessons learned along the journey.

This led to a reflective and candid range of presentations, looking back on treading the path between advanced planning and focused goals, whilst balancing opportunities and serendipity. Also how developing a personal identity as well as an academic or scholarly approach across a career. 

There was a broad discussion across a range of learning points, such as reflecting on both failures and success and approaches to “Plan A” as well as “Plan B”. Feedback highlighted the value of sharing personal stories and reflections, as well as honestly approaching challenges and achievements and we thank the speakers for their experience.

The event underlined the value of honest, personal reflection in career development, and the Wolfson Connect mentoring 1:1 scheme looks to provide a unique opportunity to access mentors through the college network. Mentors are from a range of disciplines throughout the university, as well as wider afield from industry, the creative sector, government, the public sector and administration.

Registration is now open to applications for this coming year, if you are looking for a mentor to have a conversation with in a friendly college environment you can register here. The team will organise further professional development events in the upcoming academic year.