plenary at north west researchers conference
TRANSCRIPT
Changing careers, changing identities
Grainne ConoleThe Open University
North West Careers ConferenceLancaster University
3rd April 2009
Critical reflection
• How do you decide on a career path?• What are critical success factors?• Where are the critical moments?• My background as an example• Turing points & key critical moments • Tips and hints
Current role• Professor of e-learning • Institute of Educational
Technology, The Open University
Current research interests
Apply tools, methods and approaches development in Learning Design and exploring the use of Open Educational Resources
Early years…
A day in the life…
• Masters in MAODE• Talks and workshops• Conferences• Writing papers/chapters• Writing bids• Attending meetings• Doing admin
The Thatcher years…
▫ Graduate training programme
▫ Allied bakeries▫ Area retail manager▫ 150 staff in 10 outfits across
London!
Life as a Chemist
• 86-90▫ PhD X-Ray Crystallography▫ P/T demonstrating and
lecturering
• 90-91▫ Lecturer on newly
established Foundation Science course – HITECC
• 91-96▫ Lecturer (Inorganic
Chemistry)
Days by the sea-side…
• Chair in educational innovation in post-compulsory education▫ April 2002 – March 2005▫ Based in education but
with a cross-institutional role
Changing roles
• UNL June 96 - Sept 99▫ Director Learning and Teaching
Innovation▫ Director of T&L Centre▫ Head of Technology-based
Learning
• Bristol Sept 99 –April 02▫ Director of Institute for Learning
and Research Technology
• Southampton April 02-March 05▫ Professor of educational innovation
Turning points• Moving to England
▫ Identity crisis – Irish or English? • O’ and A’ level choices
▫ Changing direction – Sociology – Chemistry• Switching to a PhD
▫ The influence of the ‘Thatcher area’• Switch to central role from Chemistry
▫ Adjusting to a new way of working• Getting a chair
▫ Need an ‘L’ plate ;-)
Highs and lows…
• Fascinating job, constantly changing great people, taking a lead, working with others, lots of travel, autonomy
• Toooo interesting – conflicting priorities, diary demands, balancing commitments, travel delays/budgets/admin , balancing work and home
Turning points!
• Kids• Job offers• Friendship circles• Family changes• Societal changes• New interests
Parallel lives
• Birth of daughters at critical moments
• Moving cities, making new friends
• Developing interests: walking, traveling, sailing, Spanish
• Traumatic moments…• Trying to maintain a balance• Significance of turning points
Tips and hints• Have a trajectory and vision• Keep a track of what you do• Try and be multi-faceted• Grab opportunities!• Sometimes be flexible, be
prepared to adapt• Constantly critically reflect• Work with people,
acknowledge others• Build your network• Do something you enjoy!
Image acknowledgements
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidualc/3249134456/• http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2009/0
2/maggie_thatcher.jpg