Reflections on Completing the Activate Program and the LIFT 2024 Graduation Dinner

Having recently completed the Activate Program, I’ve had a valuable opportunity to apply the skills and insights it provided. The Activate Program offers a principled approach to female participants from various backgrounds, empowering them to turn their ideas into reality, whether they are launching a new start-up or working as solo entrepreneurs. The program spans seven weeks and includes workshops, self-paced learning, individual mentoring, active learning, mentorship and peer support. The Activate Program emphasised practical skills, such as obtaining an understanding of the lean methodology, innovation, sustainability and learning how to pitch, which have already impacted my approach to my work.

The Activate Program is also advantageous for academics seeking to transform their research into practical commercial applications but who may be unsure of how to begin. The final pitch session was a standout experience, allowing me to consolidate everything I’d learned. Standing before a panel of mentors and peers to present my project was both challenging and empowering, underscoring the importance of clear communication and adaptability. By the end of the course, I realised that my skills could extend beyond academia and facilitate my entry into the business sector, indicating that the Activate Program has broadened my future career options.

Shortly after this program, I attended the LIFT¹ Graduation Dinner, which proved to be an ideal setting to build on these experiences. The dinner brought together members of the four LIFT cohorts (Learn, Ignite, Flourish, and Transform). It provided me a unique opportunity to reconnect with peers who had shared their journey about Activate Program and LIFT internship. After about three months of hard work and growth, it was inspiring to hear about the progress each cohort member had achieved, from project milestones to personal development. It was an evening of celebration, not just of individual accomplishments, but of the collective support and collaboration that defines our community.

Beyond the dinner’s social aspect, it was an excellent opportunity for us to openly share our reflections on the Activate Program and LIFT internship. Many of us spoke about how the program had changed our approach to problem-solving and project development. Exchanging these reflections allowed us to give and receive feedback, reinforcing the valuable skills we’d gained. The program had given us the tools to elevate our research communication, and now, through our shared discussions, we could see its impact from multiple perspectives.

The event also included an inspiring panel discussion featuring successful women, Rebecca Sini from the Learn pillar, Stephanie Anderson from the Ignite pillar, Jacqueline Holliday from the Flourish pillar and Dr. Tara Nguyen as the company representative. The panellists generously shared their insights on career development, not only within academia but also beyond it. They recounted their journeys through the PhD process and offered advice on navigating the job market post-internship. Hearing their experiences with transitioning to industry or academic roles after completing internships added an invaluable dimension to the evening, equipping us with practical strategies to approach the next stage of our careers. Their narratives showcased their motivations, challenges, and successes, motivating attendees to chase their own aspirations in engineering.

Overall, the LIFT Graduation Dinner was more than just a celebration—it was a reaffirmation of our goals and a motivational boost to keep pushing forward. I walked away from the event feeling not only proud of what we had accomplished but also inspired by the stories, resilience, and ambition of everyone there. This experience reinforced the value of these programs and the networks that support us, reminding us that the journey ahead is not only achievable but full of possibility.

1. The LIFT program, offered by iAccelerate in partnership with the University of Wollongong, is designed to support women and girls in STEM and entrepreneurship, with a focus on inclusion and empowerment. It includes four pillars—Learn, Ignite, Flourish, and Transform—each providing tailored resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help participants develop their skills and pursue entrepreneurial and STEM careers. With initiatives such as the Activate pre-accelerator, LIFT aims to equip women from diverse backgrounds with the tools to turn ideas into viable businesses or impactful community projects. The LIFT Program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) Initiative ↩︎