Lumen Winter 2018 - Flipbook - Page 20
The pair sought and received a two-year
grant from the Federal Department of
Industry, Innovation and Science, and
joined forces with Professor Eileen Scott
in the Faculty of Sciences, to create a yearlong program that would be practical,
interesting and effective.
“The list of things we wanted to do was
very long but we were conscious that this
would run on top of a student’s normal
load and their other commitments. It was
a balancing act – we had to have enough
weight to be valuable without actually
weighing the students down, which would
be counterproductive.”
Feedback suggests they got that balance
right. Sessions run across the year ranged
from career coaching to entrepreneurship,
networking with industry partners, and
how to build an effective online profile.
An industry panel, during which female
scientists and engineers talked about their
career challenges, was a highlight for many.
Importantly, industry was just as enthusiastic
to be involved, with representatives from 35
different companies contributing in some
way. “At one networking session, around 70
industry people were there to work with 75
students,” Dr Szabo said. “It was incredibly
stimulating and really loud.”
enthusiastically to her about the networking
events and the benefits of talking not only
to industry representatives, but also to
their peers in other degrees and sharing
experiences and career ambitions.
“The graduation event was really special and
program coordinator Alexis McKay did a
great job throughout.”
The 2018 program kicked off in March,
following much the same model but with
some modifications based on the first year’s
experience. And Dr Szabo and her colleagues
already are looking further into the future.
“We received Government funding for
two years but we are keen to expand the
program and make it a permanent part of
what we offer our female students,” she said.
“We hope industry will become even more
involved so we can create something which is
genuinely of mutual benefit.”
Footnote: Dr Szabo was last year named STEM Educator
of the Year for Tertiary Teaching in the South Australian
Science Excellence Awards. Professor Scott received the
Workplace Champion of Change Award in the annual
Australian Women in Wine Awards.
Professor Scott says students have spoken
STUDENTS
LAURA EASTON
Geology student Laura Easton initially was
attracted to the program by the chance to
learn resume, letter writing and interview
skills but quickly found there was “a lot
more to it than I expected.”
“All the women were so passionate and that
got me really excited about it. It definitely
snowballed; there were so many different
components and that’s what I liked about it.”
Dr Szabo (left) with Louise O’Reilly
Photo by Russell Millard
Laura found particular value in the
networking sessions and the “strength
finders.” “It pulled out a lot of things about
myself that I’d not thought of as strengths,
and once you learn what your strengths are
you can focus on them.
“All those bits and pieces – strength
workshops, how you present yourself,
overcoming fear. You just grow
in confidence.”
That confidence, and her new skills, helped
Laura win a very competitive summer
internship with Santos.
18
The University of Adelaide
