Dr Charlotte Hurry and family at the FLEET annual workshop
Hi, I’m Charlotte! At FLEET I was the Executive Officer working as part of the Business Team. I really enjoyed the variety in the job – no two days were ever the same.
These days, I’m the Business Manager for an ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre, OPTIMA.
Which mostly means I’m a project manager. The Centre runs for five years and it is my job to start the Centre, create the governance structure and then work with the Executive Committee to develop and deliver the training program, outreach, events, communications and academic research programs.
I have to be good at a lot of different things.
Which builds on previous jobs. At FLEET and my previous job in another Centre of Excellence I was developing all the skills I need for my current role. Before that, I did a PhD in science so I have an interest in research and academia which definitely helps, as it means I understand the research journey.
At the Optima launch, 2022. Charlotte Hurry and Emily Duane (ACEMS)
My background in research and my PhD really helped prepare me for the job I do now. The project management skills I built in my PhD are a key part of what I do now. Also, I did the right thing and I focused on skill building in other areas while I did my undergraduate degree and PhD. I joined committees and learned about governance. I became an HDR representative, so I was able to help in organising events and developing training programs. I use all those skills now in my new job on a daily basis. I was fortunate that I could speak to those skills in my job interviews.
It was a bit of a challenge to decide to apply for the job. I knew I had the skills but as I have not been a manager before I really had to work on selling myself.
Ultimately though my background in research mixed with my background in administration makes it a good fit. Working in FLEET I knew that I enjoyed the variety in the work. Plus, the job is flexible so it is easy to fit around family commitments.
I took some professional development courses on Personal Branding and interview techniques to prepare me for moving up to a higher position. I got some really good advice on how to sell myself in an interview.
“Managing sideways” Charlotte running the FLEET annual workshop trivia competition
I enjoy the flexibility the new job offers, the challenge and the variety. And I’ve learned how to manage up, down and sideways.
Q: How did you get into science? I wanted to help the environment. Unfortunately, these jobs don’t pay well and I couldn’t cover childcare costs so I moved into research management.
Q: Advice on balancing life / work / mental health Give yourself a start and finish time and stick to it. Always find time for physical or an artistic activity of some kind, it clears the head and promotes wellbeing. I train in Krav Maga two to three times a week. I really enjoy focusing on something practical.
Q: Comments on 2020-21 / lockdown? Let’s not do that again.
Q: Any last sage words of advice? What would you say to yourself as a school student/PhD student/job hunter? Be prepared for your future plans to not go as expected. Look at other roles that you have the skills for and take time to build development in those areas too. Never let yourself feel like a failure if you don’t get your first choice, take stock of all your successes and try again.
Visit: ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre (OPTIMA)