The online alumni event series ‘What It Takes’ returned to Westminster for the final time this semester with advice on how to overcome imposter syndrome.
The ‘What It Takes’ series is targeted at current students and recent graduates, and features a range of exciting and innovative alumni speakers sharing their experience on an array of topics. The event also focuses on employability, personal and professional development. On 25 November, ‘What It Takes’ featured a speaker that discussed how to recognise and define imposter syndrome, and gave some advice and techniques on how to overcome it.
Alumnus Caron Bradshaw OBE, a 1993 Law LLB graduate at Westminster, is the Chief Executive of the Charity Finance Group, where she supports a number of small charities and community organisations. She has also been a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ National Assembly and a number of government working parties.
In the talk, Caron discussed the importance of recognising your strengths and leaning into them, also known as building an abundance, rather than a deficit mindset. She also addressed how you can build confidence from anything, and what to do when it’s not really imposter syndrome you are suffering from, but bullying or oppression of some form.
Caron is also a trained Barrister, and has a wide range of experience across charity, regulation/law, policy, member support, and professional ethics. She was named Woman of the Year (non-CCAB) at the Women in Finance and Accountancy Awards in 2020, and in 2021, Caron was honoured with an OBE for her services to charity in the New Year’s Honours list.
Approximately 140 students and graduates attended the event, with one attendee saying: “Caron's persona was very honest and I felt the way she delivered the presentation was from the heart…Throughout the presentation she drew from personal experiences which help transfer into each one of the audience and this was echoed on the virtual chat… I would love to attend any further presentations she has planned.”
Another attendee added: “Enjoyed the insight. It’s great to talk openly about issues which were once frowned upon. Like mental and physical health and lack of confidence.”
Talking about the event, an attendee said: “Caron’s approach to the topic was amazing. The way she delivered everything was captivating and interesting and will be so helpful in the future!”
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