Reflections at the end of a Presidential term

As Paul Gratrick steps down as AGCAS President, he shares a final blog reflecting on leadership and his time in the role. He also discusses mental health awareness and takes a look ahead to the future.

If you were hoping for a salacious blog post revealing years of secrets from the AGCAS vault then I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment. I’ll save all of that for my memoirs and after my knighthood. Instead, and for one final time whilst still on the AGCAS Board, I’m going to actually be fairly serious and reflect on my term as President and previously held Regionalisation Director role.

For those who are time poor, I’ll be kind and tee up the subsequent sections of this blog. I could have banged on about all sorts of things, but here I’ll do some obvious thankyous, reflect on being a leader, and perhaps most importantly, a bit at the end about mental health awareness and some hope for the future.

The obvious bit first…

I’ve been on the AGCAS Board since March 2017 and President since January 2023. 32 board meetings and a pandemic have taken place during that time, and I’ve been fortunate enough to represent AGCAS quite literally across the globe having been to Melbourne for the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) conference, and most recently Arizona for the National Association of Colleges and Employers one. I’m acutely aware of my privilege, and being involved with AGCAS has given me a professional development platform like no other. Conferences, committees, online events, award ceremonies and crafting the occasional engaging blog post – I’ve had access and invites to them all and I’ve learnt a lot.

None of this would have been possible without the support of many people, and too many to reference here. That’s not meant to be a get out clause, but rather a celebration of the breadth of the sector and high engagement with AGCAS activities from hundreds of colleagues. Some do deserve a Presidential nod, however, and in no particular order…

Past and present members of the AGCAS team who’ve been through a huge amount of change but have always been very supportive (and patient!) with me.

The various Board members that I’ve worked with over the past eight years, be that in the board meetings themselves or the orbiting working parties and events.

My day job employers, the 英国利物浦大学 and 英国曼彻斯特大学 , for allowing me the time to fulfil the various roles I’ve held.

Colleagues at other sector organisations for the kind invites to your conferences and events.

The various sector folk who supported the process to find our new CEO, Martin Edmondson , enabling a successful recruitment campaign that has put AGCAS in a position to thrive.

And finally, behind every President is an even better Vice-President, and for much of my term Lorna Dargan from the University of St Andrews fulfilled that role. Whilst she was on the Board in the VP role, she provided a huge amount of support, advice and expertise, so thank you, Lorna. Up next in the Presidential seat is Barrie Grey from York St. John University , and he’ll be excellent in the role, working with an established and diverse board who know the score and where AGCAS needs to go. AGCAS 2.0 is on the way, so buckle up and pay attention.

I’m sorry if…

Should you ever find yourself using the phrase ‘I’m sorry if…’ then please do have a serious word with yourself. Having held this leadership role and others in my day jobs, I’m aware of the impact that one’s behaviour can have on other people’s lives. I’m not arrogant enough to pretend that every decision and course of action I’ve made was the right one, and where my words and deeds have caused upset and difficulties for others then I am genuinely sorry.

Leadership is about owning what you do

Leadership, I’ve learnt, is about owning what you do, and whilst we may always try and act with the best of intentions, where harm is caused then apologise and make it right. ‘I’m sorry if’ is a cop out, and that’s a hill I’ll die on. I’d like to think that I’ve made a lot of good and often difficult decisions whist in this role, but even if that is definitely the case it doesn’t excuse ignoring where things haven’t gone to plan or without ill consequence. You don’t get to be a leader if you’re only lauded for the right things you do. Own it all, for better or worse, and make sure you learn and develop from the challenges just as much as the successes. ????

Mental health awareness

AGCAS has given me a voice for eight years now, and whilst I could write about a myriad of things in the careers and employability space, I’m actually going to do something that I find really difficult in an attempt to use this platform for, dare I say it, a higher good.

At times in my life, I have sometimes found myself in poor states of mental health. I should hastily add that this wasn’t due to anything AGCAS-related (what an advert for the role that would be!), but rather for a mixture of other reasons. Looking back on it now, it feels very alien that I was once in that position, and that I felt a disappointment in many ways.

And so why say this now? I’m not after pity or similar, but rather want to be a glimmer of hope for those who may need it right now. When I was suffering from poor mental health, the one thing I didn’t do was speak to anyone about it and I pretended everything was okay. Whatever your role in the careers and employability sector, no one is immune from the pressures of working life and in our personal lives too.

It’s difficult to admit that you are struggling, but after that admission returns optimism

I thought I’d be a failure if I admitted to anyone how I was feeling, and so whilst I’m being given this platform from AGCAS for one last time, I want to offer the voice that I was unwilling to hear and seek out during my darker days. There are people in the world who love you and will support you. It’s difficult to admit that you are struggling, but after that admission returns optimism, a way forward, and reappearance of the things that you bring you joy and meaning. Trust me, because I’ve been there.

Here comes the sun

AGCAS is within a transformational stage, and from my current front row view is set to evolve and become the organisation that it needs to be for all of its members. I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunities that AGCAS has given me, and if you want to develop, learn new things and meet fantastic people, then get involved where you can.

The future looks bright, for both me personally and for the Association, and I’ll drift off into the Presidential sunset knowing that the best is yet to come.

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