EQUALITY GUIdE - KU Leuven

206 Equality Guide
short: how do I write a good CV? How do you plan your career and how do you realize
it by means of clear communication (informing people about your career perspectives,
etc). How to have an effective job interview? Are there any alternatives you can
talk about? The participants wanted to acquire certain insights and knowledge that
would help them decide how they want their career to evolve and how they can be
more efficient in reaching certain objectives.
The fifth type of questions handled about the differences in communication between
men and women. Do women and men communicate in different ways? What are those
differences and which are the differences you need to take into account as a woman?
The final question was how to make university communication more woman-friendly.
This for example means having people who take care of those who have missed a
promotion or who did not get a project. Today, universities do not pay enough attention
to this matter.
4.1.2. The career topic
Like for the gender topic, theoretical insights were shared with the participants but the
participants also got a chance to talk about their own experiences and objections concerning
this topic.
4.1.2.1. Session 1
4.1.2.1.1. How do you work your way to the top?
People grow up with the idea that knowledge, intelligence and hard work are enough
to succeed. This message especially appeals to girls. However, is this approach enough
to work your way to the top?
The experience of Hedwige Nuyens teaches us that one must work on ‘three cubes’ to
succeed. Apart from the cube of ‘knowledge, diploma, skills, professional experiences’
there is the cube of ‘time investment’ and the cube of ‘visibility, PR, networks’. All three
of them are crucial. These three cubes work as communicating vessels. Women more
often tend to neglect the ‘visibility, PR and networks’ cube. In other words, they should
take the time to work on visibility and look for a recipe that fits them. Try for example
to do one PR-activity a month.
As a lecturer, you have to be good at teaching and working in an educational responsible
fashion, but you also need to work on visibility. In order to grow, you have to make
sure the right people know what you are capable of. Always use your time well.
Tip
Most meetings are useful; others are informal and informative but do require your presence.
Do not waste your time: do something else or meditate. Learn to read fast.