Creating Connections

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A significant learning I have gained from my IDRP journey has been the importance of consulting with and learning from my peers. Through listening to the experiences of others completing their IDRP, I have found many shared experiences and transferable learnings. The consultation sessions have been a vital source of sharing for me, along with the presentations. 

The importance of collaboration and consultation is significant because of the complexity of the field of development. Practitioners are facing situations which are extremely diverse, contain significant layers of knowledge which at times can be challenging. Through ensuring connections, not only within the communities they work in, but also within the development field, practitioners are able to support growth and learning in a broader context. 

Collaboration is able to be utilised in development in a variety of different ways. Early on when studying International Development, I was introduced to triple loop learning within the learning and participation class. Since this introduction, I have aimed to approach situations with a goal to learn in this way. Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry (CDAI) is a tool that can assist in developing triple loop learning within groups (Kwon & Nicolaides 2017). I feel that learning from and sharing with my peers during consultations and presentations, have been key parts of CDAI. 

This will impact the way that I approach my work, both in my current role at CareerTrackers, and in any future roles I may take, by encouraging me to seek out opportunities to connect with others. I will be conscious to create opportunities for sharing with colleagues as well as gaining knowledge from a wider range of sources such as joining an industry networking group. 

Kwon, C. and Nicolaides, A. (2017) ‘Managing Diversity Through Triple-Loop Learning: A Call for Paradigm Shift’, Human Resource Development Review, 16(1), pp. 85–99. doi: 10.1177/1534484317690053.

Dealing with feelings of being unequipped

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A significant insight I have been developing over the past month is the balance between insecurity, and feeling like an expert. This insight was prompted by a day of much rumination last week, when we met with the CareerSeekers CEO for an overview of what has been done in South Australia so far. During this meeting I was struck by how knowledgable he was in his field, and how little I had to offer. I felt like he would be able to deliver what we were planning to deliver in a fraction of the time. Once starting to do the work, I realised I actually knew so much of the content. It related heavily to assignments I’ve done throughout my degree – as well as touched on things I have learnt from one of my favourite authors – Brené Brown. 

I feel that this insight is highly important in this field, as often development practitioners are required to work in communities and cultures that are different from their own. When treading in these areas, it is impossible to ever know the intricacies and customs as well as a local, regardless of how much preparation or research has been done. I feel that it is important to recognise this when working with others, being always ready to listen and learn, while at the same time having confidence in the experiences and knowledge that I have.

This will effect the way I approach development, by helping me to be mindful of balancing my willingness to learn with the knowledge and skills that I have. Mol (2002) pose the question: “How might complexities be handled in knowledge practices nonreductively, but without at the same time generating ever more complexities until we submerge in chaos?” If we go in as experts with all the answers, then with oversimplify the complexity of development, however if we do nothing, or disregard the skills and knowledges we do have, we may result in achieving nothing. How do we find the balance? 

Already I have seen this reflection to have impacted my work at CareerTrackers. Often I am so caught up in not wanting to pose as an expert, that I refrain from offering advise to the students who I work with. However since reflecting on the importance of finding a balance between recognition and inaction, I have been more open to sharing my experiences (after first listening), which at times have assisted students in making decisions.

Mol, A., 2002. Complexities: social studies of knowledge practices.

Securing the Project

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Something significant I have recognised through securing an internship, is the complexities that come from the undefined nature of areas of innovation. Having approached our companies CEO with a broad idea of what to achieve, and he responded with a general direction of an equally undefined task. It will take place with my employers sister company, CareerSeekers who I have had minimal exposure to previously. I will be working with my manager, Fred, who I initially met in my first class of the International Development Masters. This will add to the ambiguity of the process, as working on our project will have different power dynamics to a manager/ employee relationship. For the project we will create a research project, strategic document and presentation around employment opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees within South Australia, and the ways in which CareerSeekers as an NGO is able to drive social change through this.  

This new understanding of the undefined nature of tasks in development is likely to challenge the way that I approach my day to day job, as well as think of other roles within development. Throughout the last two years, I feel that the way I process things and interact with the world has changed dramatically through the ambiguity of theory and stories I have heard about, however experiencing this for the first time has helped me to understand it better. 

I am hoping that through this is experience I will gain new skills in bringing actionable work from undefined elements. I see this as an extremely important task of development, as when dealing with people, it’s impossible to have absolutes. I feel that although it is impossible to escape ambiguity, it’s important for me to learn ways to work systematically through it, without loosing the vulnerability of humanity. 

Overall, I feel somewhat concerned about the work ahead, as although I have had experience in assignments, the addition of a host company makes me feel as though there is more pressure. In saying this, I feel that the challenge will be a really important step in my journey as a development practitioner, and that I will grow significantly from it.