Committee Member in the Spotlight – Jenn Parsons

Meet one of your dedicated WA Committee members – Jenn Parsons. Jenn is your committee’s Alumni SIG/PD Coordinator and is the Alumni Engagement Manager  at The University of Western Australia.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you call it?

Vegemite vs Peanut Butter and Jam – a Canadian in Australia!   

What do you like most about Educate Plus?

Definitely the people.  Many alumni relations professionals work with small teams or by themselves.  Having the community of like-minded colleagues at Educate Plus really provides a community of support like no other!  Being new to WA, it was a great way to get to know people in the profession.  And, they are all fantastic!

How has Educate Plus helped you in your career development?  

Having the opportunity to be a special interest group [SIG] leader has provided me with group facilitation practice.  I have found this opportunity rewarding and helpful in figuring out the next step in my career. 

What is the most rewarding part of your Alumni Engagement Manager role at UWA?

Probably the opportunity to help build a team and watch them learn and have fun doing what they do.  It brings a smile to my face when they celebrate an engagement success.

How did you first learn about Educate Plus?

The University Advancement Executive recommended Educate Plus to me.  I joined immediately when I started the role at the Uni four and a half years ago.

Who would you like to be for a day?

Our dog Teddy.  Every day she plays in the backyard and sleeps in the sun.  I imagine she has many adventures like Alice in Wonderland.  Sometimes I believe she is transported to another place where magically the backyard becomes another world.

Favourite movie?

I am going with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  I remember seeing it for the first time with friends in primary and then many more times in high-school.  On holidays in Disneyland I rode on the “Indiana Jones ride” with my Mom and Dad and recently with my partner Alan and his daughter on their first trip to the “happiest place on earth”.  Raiders is more than a movie, but a life-long experience.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

First thing that comes to mind is wine!

Who has had the biggest impact on your career thus far and why?

I can truly say that everyone on the team at UWA has had an impact on my career thus far.  We have been together now for coming up on 5 years – I have learned so much from them all.

Favourite travel spot?

Do I just get to pick one?  While Paris, New York and other great cities come to mind…I am going to pick my cabin.  An iconic Canadian log cabin in the woods by a lake.  My grand-father built it over forty years ago and I have visited it just about every year since. 

What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

In third year University in Ontario, Canada, I needed money to buy a plane ticket home for Christmas.  So, what did I do?  I became a Christmas elf!  All decked out in green tights and a red hat I helped with photos with Santa in a mall. Santa was good to me and I got home for the holidays!

What are your three most overused words/phrases?

Capacity building.  Hilarious.  Okeydokey!