By Judith Coe
Higher education establishments are growing in complexity and staffing structure is changing to reflect and support this. Enter me and my new role. I am not stepping into anyone’s shoes; this is a sparkly new role that I have to grow myself. How do I learn to do this?
Reaching out and speaking to friends and colleagues I am interested to hear about how they think you should learn a job. “Make loads of mistakes and learn from that”. “It will take time, it doesn’t happen quickly”. “Find your feet and then you will know where to go”. Does this mean I have to mess up and keep moving forwards and I will get there…but quite slowly. It doesn’t appeal if I am truly honest. There seems to be a formal name to this: ‘incidental learning’…in the world of physiotherapy I had lots of A4 paper files with this as a title for reflective practice. This was evidence of what I was learning and ‘what I would do differently.’ Twenty years on I am being advised to follow this same learning process.
From reading supportive research, these early days are indeed a learning intensive experience and I need to prepare myself for the journey ahead. Rather than wander aimlessly from mistake to mistake I have concluded that I need to keep close to some important values and work principals.
Moving into the world of academia the pace compared with professional sport is certainly different. My tempo seems really quick and I am trying to compare everything towards working to an Olympic gold medal. At University conversations are more calmer and people seem to digest what I am saying. Cross referencing with the current literature is part of most discussions and I will enjoy falling into this pattern.
After reflecting on my few weeks of starting a new role I have gathered this guidance:
- My work should have a student-centred purpose
- I should rely on my strengths to fit the new role
- I should work with trusted colleagues to support me
- I should connect with the larger vision of my workplace.
With these guide stones I am sure I will figure it out…..will let you know.
Joann S. Olson (2015) “No One Really Knows What It Is That I Need”: Learning a New Job at a Small Private College, The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 63:3, 141-151, DOI: 10.1080/07377363.2015.1085947
Email: j.coe@bham.ac.uk