After 18 years in an equality and diversity public sector role (made redundant last year), I am about to enter a HE sector professional services role, as an EDI adviser.
On the one hand, I'm excited as I've always been interested in the HE sector, on the other hand, I'm shit scared, as I worry I don't have the right experience, hence 'imposter syndrome'.
Although I won't be teaching, I will be responsible for developing and delivering learning and awareness of EDI topics, and working with academic staff to embed this into the curriculum.
What if I fail?
Also, my new manager has emailed in advance of my start to ask about my experience of Moodle, Blackboard and Teams.
I have experience of Teams (no problem there). No experience of Blackboard. And Moodle, only from when I was a student, never from a teacher POV. So now I'm shitting myself that I won't be able to do the job and I'll look a total fool. The Moodle requirement was only 'desirable' criteria and wasn't asked at the interview. The other things were not asked about either and my CV and application made it very clear what my skills were.
I have experience of organising f2f learning on EDI matters, and delivering via Zoom and Teams. I have also created documents, presentations, poster campaigns etc on EDI matters. Also newsletters. They seemed to like this in the interview.
But I'm so fearful that my lack of knowledge and experience of Moodle etc is going to be a big issue. I did try to look up some 'how to' guides online and it seems really complicated. I have no experience of assignments, assessments, learning outcomes etc.
I'm not a teacher or a lecturer and this is a professional services role, but I'm worried I may need more teaching experience than I thought.
Can any HE staff help calm me down a bit and offer some tips and reassurance? I don't start for another month (checks still taking place) so I have time to maybe try to prepare myself if anyone has any suggestions.
Its been so long since I've been in a job change position and I don't want to fuck it up.