Development Monthly | #41 March 2025 | The Power of Connection: Building Strong Networks for Success in HE

I made some big changes last year – a new job in a new city – and as I reflect over the last twelve months, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life, and it’s taught me a lot about resilience. I’ve always enjoyed my work, but I’ve never thought of myself as having a proper career, at least, not in the traditional sense.

I’ve grasped opportunities and built-up experiences organically without much thought to job titles or promotions. After my MA in Creative Writing, I worked in retail and wrote in my spare time before taking up a position at a boarding school. I was there for three years, and I loved it, honing my skills in a variety of roles including Events Coordinator and EPQ Supervisor (almost like an alternative graduate scheme). At the start of 2024, I knew I needed a change, so I swapped Secondary Education for Higher Education, left my family and friends behind, and relocated for a new job at the University of Bath.

I’m now part of the Postgraduate Employability Team for the Faculty of Engineering & Design. We prepare our MSc students for the workplace, helping them to become more ‘employable’ through tailored support, industry events, and skill sessions. It’s a fun student-facing role, and it’s been interesting comparing my recent job hunting to their experiences!

Although ‘squiggly’ careers are common nowadays, it’s still a major decision to change jobs. There’s the fear of the unknown, and imposter syndrome. I arrived without knowing a single person, and as I have a humanities background (rather than STEM), I was worried about joining Engineering & Design. At the start, there were so many acronyms that it was like learning a new language and took a lot of trial and error – finding out where to get the information I needed and who to ask!

Luckily, community is encouraged at Bath. We regularly network and share best practices between departments and faculties, and we even have a buddy system for support. I’ve made lots of connections across campus already, and I hope to make many more. Outside of the university, I’ve joined the AHEP Mentoring Scheme and the AHEP Early Careers & New to HE SIG, which have helped to develop my confidence, improve my sector knowledge, and been useful sounding boards for my ideas. AHEP has been invaluable to my CPD – I recently attended a work-shadowing trip to Manchester Metropolitan University as part of the mentoring scheme!

In addition to being a new starter, I’m also the youngest in my team. I often work with colleagues who have a wealth of experience that I simply don’t have. Thankfully, with the support of my AHEP mentor, I’ve learnt the difference between experience (knowledge gained over time) and expertise (knowledge gained irrespective of time), as well as how to recognise my strengths, particularly my interpersonal skills. 

These are vital in the workplace, and I would argue that they’re even more important than technical skills. It’s easier to teach someone about new software than it is to change their attitude! Your mindset is what matters, and I’m proof of this – I was awarded Bath’s Recognising Excellence Award (December 2024) for process improvement related to student induction and welcome week.

Having worked in both Secondary and Higher Education, I can see a lot of similarities, from fluctuating workloads over the academic year to the impact of national and global politics on the sector. If institutions must adapt and be resilient, it makes sense that employees must too. So, for those starting out in HE – good luck! I hope I’ve reassured you that change is a necessary and positive tool for professional development.

My top tips for new starters:

Be kind to yourself –onboarding can be a steep learning curve. Always ask for help (no question is too small) and connect with other new starters at induction events.

Growth mindset – approach your work with positivity, patience, and curiosity. It’s not just students who need to learn, so make sure you dedicate enough time to CPD. Say yes to opportunities.

Networking – connect internally with different departments, faculties, and staff associations, and join external professional bodies like AHEP. Remember, networking is reciprocal so give as much time and energy as you can.

As a new starter, it’s important to build a community. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alice-horncastle/

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