If you missed this event and want to catch up on the workshops, you can take part in the webinars each of the workshop leaders are leading over coming months.

Alumnae tackle challenges in their careers

Alumnae recently shared their advice and guidance for overcoming challenges in your career at the annual Exe-X: Women and Leadership Reception, organised by the Alumnae Group. 

This year’s reception consisted of practical workshops, led by senior alumnae, to address four specific challenges women face in their careers. The reception was held at the fitting University Women’s Club in Mayfair. For those unable to attend this event, each of the workshop leaders will be leading a webinar in the following months.

The event started with a welcome and update from the University’s Provost, Professor Janice Kay, followed by four engaging and practical workshops. The first two workshops focussed on ‘Getting what you want from conversation’, led by Debbie Hill (Drama 2006), Head of Volunteering at Marie Curie, and ‘Approaching interviews with confidence’, led by the founders of HeadStart Uni, Hilary Thomson (English 1978) and Lucy Timms. These were both engaging and encouraging, helping alumnae see where they are already on the right track, and how they can approach certain interview questions, or approach certain conversations.

Following a short networking break, the final two workshops were led by Liz Butler (Mathematics 1982), Chair of Lewisham and Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust, who looked at ‘Changing direction in your career’ and Deborah Hallett (Diploma in Leadership Studies 2002), Chair of Rolle Exmouth Ltd, who looked at ‘Being a square peg in a round hole’. These two workshops consisted of dialogue and plenty of questions, and helped provide some ideas for the relevant webinars.

Virginia Stuart-Taylor attended the evening, and said, "I thought the alumnae evening was an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded fellow Exeter graduates, all at different stages of their careers, with different perspectives and experiences to contribute to the event. Picking up tips from the knowledgeable speakers, talking to fellow alumnae and hearing about the university's progress gave me such a sense of pride to be an Exeter graduate and reminded me of just how much I adored my three years studying there. I think it's important to maintain a link to your university and the alumnae network reception last month provided just the thing I was looking for."

If you missed this event and want to catch up on the workshops, you can take part in the webinars each of the workshop leaders are leading over coming months. Hilary Thomson and Lucy Timms will be leading the first of four webinars following the reception, and they will be looking at interviews and CVs. This webinar is on Thursday 11 June at 5pm, and you can book your place here.

The Alumnae Group are looking forward to these webinars and future events. If you have any suggestions for subjects or topics or you would like to be part of the Alumnae group, please contact Katie Wade (k.wade@exeter.ac.uk).

Date: 11 May 2015