Joining the University during lockdown
We asked colleagues to share their unique experience of joining the University remotely
Lisa Willmot joined the University in March 2020 as Senior Development Executive – Physics, based in the Development Office. Lisa previously worked for Guide Dogs
What has been particularly memorable about joining in lockdown?
I was only in the office for six days before lockdown, so receiving a text saying not to come in tomorrow on the train home, on the Monday of my second week, will stick in my memory for a long time! The many online social events that have been organised for us all have been memorable – Sock Puppet Shakespeare will be hard to forget!
What have you particularly enjoyed or not enjoyed?
I’ve really enjoyed building relationships with colleagues, even though it feels mad that I’ve not met many of them in person. But I have missed ‘in person’ meetings and especially – given the nature of my job – meeting donors face to face. So it will be good when we can go back to that.
What are you looking forward to most about the end of lockdown with regard to work?
Getting back out ‘on the road’ and spending time with donors.
What three words sum up your impression of the University from your remote perspective?
- Welcoming
- Professional
- Huge!
Amjad Parkar started with the Research and Innovation team in the Public Affairs Directorate in April 2021. Amjad joins us from West Northants Council
What has been particularly memorable about joining in lockdown?
As someone who enjoys face-to-face contact and building relationships, joining a new employer and meeting colleagues virtually rather than in a typical office setting has been particularly unnerving. However, I have had experience of this before – I was in exactly the same scenario in my last job where my first day was literally driving to my place of work, picking up my IT equipment and then driving back home to do a virtual induction – all without meeting any of my colleagues!
What have you particularly enjoyed or not enjoyed?
As mentioned above, it has not been so enjoyable that I can’t interact with my colleagues in person on a regular basis – there is much to miss about the creativity that can flow from random interactions in the office. However, on the flip side, working from home has given me the flexibility to do the school runs, spend more time with my child and avoid the hassle of a daily stressful commute. And I am very lucky to be working with a group of very talented, supportive and knowledgeable individuals.
What are you looking forward to most about the end of lockdown with regard to work?
Being able to potentially spend a bit more time in the office and hopefully benefit from the implementation of a hybrid working model.
What three words sum up your impression of the University from your remote perspective?
- Adaptable
- Vast
- Cutting-edge.
Berk Bektas, a recent graduate (MSc in Marketing & Brand Management) from Oxford Brookes, joined the Academic Administration Division (AAD) in December 2020 as Student Communications Assistant
What has been particularly memorable about joining in lockdown?
My colleague's cats interrupting our online meetings.
What have you particularly enjoyed or not enjoyed?
I've enjoyed the support my colleagues have provided to help me settle into my new job, as it isn't easy starting a new role remotely. I currently live in London so it's a shame I haven't moved to Oxford and enjoyed the city more, but there are benefits from working at home as well.
What are you looking forward to most about the end of lockdown with regard to work?
Actually meeting most of my colleagues in person as I've only seen one of them in the flesh!
What three words sum up your impression of the University from your remote perspective?
Old but gold.
Felicity Hills joined the Development Office as Project and Communications Manager – Donor Relations, Events and Legacies in April 2020 from Katharine House Hospice, Banbury
What has been particularly memorable about joining in lockdown?
How quickly and successfully people have adapted to remote working and how welcoming they’ve been.
What have you particularly enjoyed or not enjoyed?
I’ve really missed being able to get to know my colleagues in person and being able to connect with them in the real world. You miss so much of a person by only knowing them online. But I’ve enjoyed not having to commute every day, and think that many of us have gained a lot in our home and personal lives from not having to travel.
What are you looking forward to most about the end of lockdown with regard to work?
Being able to go for lunch or a drink with colleagues, getting to know about their lives and to know them more as people rather than just colleagues.
What three words sum up your impression of the University from your remote perspective?
- Understanding
- Supportive
- Welcoming.
Jo Knights joined MPLS in March 2021 as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator; her previous post was with the University of Nottingham
What has been particularly memorable about joining in lockdown?
Going to Oxford to meet my team for the first time (I live in Nottingham). I was literally like a child at Disneyworld.
What have you particularly enjoyed or not enjoyed?
Learning about some of Oxford’s quirky traditions and language – 'Hilary *’ … who knew!
What are you looking forward to most about the end of lockdown with regard to work?
We’ve recently started having in-person team meetings for strategizing and planning; I’ve so enjoyed being able to meet some of my colleagues in ‘real life’ and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to network with other people across the University..
What three words sum up your impression of the University from your remote perspective?
You’re on mute.
* Michaelmas term derives its name from the Feast of St Michael and All Angels, which falls on 29 September. Hilary term is named after the feast day of St Hilary, which falls on 14 January, while Trinity term comes from Trinity Sunday, which falls eight weeks after Easter.
