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Last Monday, I moved into ECU’s new City Campus. If you want to know what the buzz is about, you can see it here. To be clear, this wasn’t a bold personal reinvention or a lifestyle choice. The move was decided for me. As part of the deal, I gave up something very appealing in the process — the convenience of working five minutes from home. The Mount Lawley campus I left is more than 55 years old, well past its prime, and undeniably run down… but it was familiar and easy. The new building, on the other hand, is shiny and modern, with some finishing touches still in progress. But here’s the interesting part. Within a week, I’d built stronger relationships with my new teammates than I expected. I’ve also started running into academics I’ve worked with for several years — not in meetings, but in lifts, corridors, morning teas and those awkward little pauses where real conversations tend to happen. That matters more than we like to admit. Higher education is one of the most siloed workplaces I’ve ever worked in. Campuses are enormous. Offices are scattered. Physical distance turns simple collaboration into something that requires calendars, agendas, and goodwill. Momentum is slow — not because people don’t want to work together, but because we design distance into the system. The city campus has shortened that distance overnight. It’s also reminded me why I’ve never wanted to be fully remote. Not because remote work doesn’t work — it clearly does — but because building trust, context, and shared understanding takes longer when every interaction has to be scheduled and mediated by a screen. Interestingly, many Gen Z students and early-career professionals say the same thing. They don’t necessarily want five days in the office — but they do want access, exposure, and the chance to learn by being around people doing the work. And then there’s the unexpected upside. I’m genuinely looking forward to lunch breaks where I can wander past rehearsal rooms and listen to, or watch, our performing arts students at work. That kind of creative energy seeps in quietly. It reminds you what a university is actually for. But even in this early, imperfect stage, it already feels like a space designed for connection rather than isolation — and for a mid-career professional who’s seen how long it can take to build momentum, that’s no small thing. Sometimes, change is forced on you. Sometimes it turns out to be exactly what you needed anyway. ~Lisa Your Q&AHave I Overcooked My Resume? Hi Lisa, I’m early in my career, but I have a lot of great experience in my most recent role (which is only since 2024). I put 9 bullet points, whereas in earlier jobs/internships, I listed 3 or 4 bullets. Is it a problem to have the 9 in the most recent job? I’m working in a large financial planning company and targeting a client service associate role at a better financial company. Thanks Mike Hi Mike, Short answer: no, it’s not a crime to have more bullets in your most recent role — especially early in your career. That said, nine bullets is a lot. Most recruiters skim like they’re speed-reading subtitles on Netflix. Aim for 4–5 strong bullets that are most relevant to the Client Service Associate role. If everything is important, not just a shopping list of “things I did“, either:
Less really is more. Long lists are easy to skip past, and the good stuff gets missed. Just make sure every bullet shows action and impact, not generic responsibilities. If it reads like a generic duty that could apply to literally anyone in a financial planning office… it’s not pulling its weight. Thanks for writing in. ~Lisa |
