A reflection on my LIFT experience

When I first sat down to write this, I began with the standard opening line “I was lucky enough to be granted the opportunity…”, which is absolutely true. But, as I reflected on my time in the LIFT program, I wanted to go a little deeper. This experience was more than just a professional stepping stone; it was an opportunity to better understand myself and grow in unexpected ways.

The Activate Program

The Activate program, run through iAccelerate, is a three-month course designed as a foundational step for start-ups to pitch and validate their ideas. When I joined, I was sceptical. After all, I’m a PhD student, not a hopeful entrepreneur with the next big business idea. What could I possibly take from this? However, by the end my perspective shifted. Activate taught me translatable skills. Whether I end up in academia, industry, or decide to try my hand at entrepreneurship, clear communication and adaptability are universal skills.  and this program made me realise how important they are in every path I might take. The 3-minute elevator pitch was a surprisingly fun challenge, and it gave me the skills to later shape my own 3-minute thesis presentation.

The Retreat

The LIFT leadership & values retreat in Kiama was an experience where I learnt things that will stay with me well beyond this retreat and throughout my career. One part I particularly enjoyed was the Strengths Profile. Think of it like the Myers-Briggs personality test but focused on your strengths and weaknesses in leadership. After answering what felt like an endless questionnaire, I received a list of where I shine and where I struggle.

One thing that came up? I hate being in the spotlight. No surprise there. From my first nervous primary-school speech about my dog, to high-school readings of The Crucible, to 15-minute conference talks on antimicrobial resistance, I’ve always dreaded being the centre of attention. I had long considered it a flaw to “fix”, but the retreat reframed this for me. Instead of treating weaknesses as things to erase, we learned how to lean into our natural, or learned, strengths. It was a refreshing change of mindset: build on what you’re good at and use those strengths to support you in the areas you find more challenging. For example, rather than fixating on how intimidating the spotlight feels, I can lean on my strengths in organisation and writing to walk in as prepared and confident as possible.

Another highlight for me was hearing from Professor. Martina Sanderson-Smith, my primary advisor, who shared her journey through leadership as a woman in STEM, from the wins to the setbacks. I’ve been fortunate to have strong women guiding me throughout my PhD, and seeing (firsthand) Martina lead with authenticity and kindness has been inspirating. When asked to reflect on a leader I admire, it was an easy choice: Martina

The Internship

Now, I’m a little over a month into my six-month internship at AusDiagnostics, the final component of the LIFT experience. I’ll admit, I had been nervous about whether I could translate my academic background into industry. Even in these early stages, I’m already learning how transferable my skills are, and how much value there is in bridging these two worlds. This experience has also prompted me to reflect more deeply on what I want my next steps to look like after completing my PhD.

Looking Back

When I first joined the LIFT program, I thought it would be a good line on my CV, and it certainly is, but it became much more than that. It pushed me to reflect on my personal my values, challenged my assumptions about leadership, and showed me new ways to think about my own strengths.

No matter where I end up, whether it be academia, industry, or somewhere unexpected, I hope I can lead with the same authenticity and kindness that has inspired me.

A big thank you to the LIFT team, especially Lorraine Denny, Shamika Almeida, and Georgia Watson, and everyone who made this program possible. I would also like to thank each of the wonderful women I met along the way who made it a warm and supportive environment. Also, to Martina and Danielle Skropeta, thank you not only for being incredible supervisors and their role in the LIFT program, but also for being role models in how to lead with strength and kindness.