| Issue 62 (WAIS 2) Contents
|
Professional Recognition:
a Mobile Career
Jan
Tennent
Manager, Project Evaluation & International Development
CSL Limited
Since graduating from Monash University in 1986 with a PhD in Microbiology I have established an interesting, successful and wonderfully varied career across the university, government and private sectors. From the beginning, I have tried to take charge of this progression and ‘steer’ my career in a direction of my choosing. It didn’t always work but there is a lot to be said for perseverance! As time went by, my understanding of where I wanted to be improved; as did my ability to influence the people and environment around me in order to achieve desired outcomes.
There is no doubt that my successes and satisfaction have derived, in no small part, from the strength of my scientific foundation. I am in the fortunate position of being able to call my PhD supervisors my earliest professional mentors. My scientific enquiry, independence and integrity were developed and enhanced during those impressionable university days.
During a 3-year post-doctoral appointment at Umeå University, Sweden, I took every opportunity to speak about my research on bacterial attachment to epithelial cells. This experience helped me form international networks of scientific colleagues and to stay in touch with the Australian microbiology scene to which I knew I would one day return. With hindsight, I now realise I was building my profile – it wasn’t sufficient to just be doing great science, I had to be prepared to promote it, and myself, to a wider audience. Subsequently I have had the chance to learn and practice Media Skills – a great way to gain confidence and self-esteem!
After returning to Monash for a brief Fellowship period, I joined CSIRO Animal Health as a research scientist. During the '90s I found CSIRO to a most supportive and enabling employer. Had I chosen to exclusively undertake research, a well-funded future was available. On the other hand, aspiring to mix research with science management, CSIRO offered many opportunities to match my enthusiasm and enhance my skills with specialised training. Needless to say, I took every chance on offer to improve my management, people and communication skills. My efforts were recognised and rewarded with appointment at the Program Manager level in 1997.
Employment with CSIRO meant that I had to forgo establishing a track record with granting bodies such as NH&MRC and ARC. Instead, I’ve published my research wherever possible, been willing to supervise MSc and PhD candidates and actively sought collaborations with University and other academic colleagues. Probably the most significant collaboration has been with the diverse partners to the CRC for Vaccine Technology (CRC-VT). Although CSIRO often grappled with the CRC concept, I found the personal and scientific interactions provided via the CRC-VT to be highly valuable. With a great sense of achievement and pride, I accepted the role of Acting Director in 2000 and assisted the Board and Executive team to steer the CRC-VT through an important transitional phase.
It was also during my time with CSIRO that we added two sons to the family! Although CSIRO had well established ML provisions, I found that taking the initiative to devise, and be part of a solution was much more effective than simply pointing out the inadequacies and difficulties of the situation. No matter how daunting the thought, I would encourage everyone to raise potential solutions that, while designed to benefit the individual, can be genuinely argued as also being beneficial to the business.
In late 2000, I
moved to CSL Limited, Australia’s largest manufacturer of biologicals. I am
thoroughly enjoying the challenges of Animal Health R&D in the commercial
environment, particularly the thrill of mastering new skills. I have
negotiated a part-time appointment that has allowed me to maintain the
essential balance in my life – family – work equation. My role at CSL Animal
Health is very satisfying and is continuously evolving; it has proven to be an
excellent ‘fit’ with my ambitions. While acknowledgment from my manager and
colleagues that I am making a positive impact on the business is important, I
also still seek public recognition for my contributions to science. Some of
this comes via my activities in the Victorian Branch of the
Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM). For many years I was a committee
member and have played significant roles in the 1994 and 2002 annual
scientific conferences. As my own research field has become more specialised,
involvement in ASM has allowed me to maintain a broad perspective on
microbiology, to remain an active contribution to an inspiring professional
group and to help take the science of microbiology to the wider community. I
also value my Associate appointment with the University of Melbourne, deliver
guest lectures to 4th year microbiology students and accept invitations to
speak at conferences and to act as a reviewer of grants and manuscripts. In
the wider context, I have registered with the Vic Women database from which I
hope to be selected to serve on expert committees or Boards in the future.
Other intrinsic factors discussed during our WAIS Workshop, pay, tenure and development opportunities remain key personal drivers and I am continuously, albeit unconsciously, positioning myself to seek out and take advantage of new opportunities. However, I feel very satisfied when I reflect on my career and achievements to date – perhaps my belief that the best may be yet to come is one reason for my contentment!