To think if I talk about academic accomplishments it won't go down well

AcrobaticCardigan · 09/02/2022 14:19

I’d say an academic scholarship is exactly the type of thing to mention here! That’s a great specific achievement. It also highlights your qualifications in a non braggy way.

lanthanum · 09/02/2022 14:39

If you're worried, you could try deflecting it a bit: "I'd love to say that it's my trip up Everest, but sadly my limit's a five mile walk." Or find something jokey: "cooking Christmas dinner without burning anything - I've only managed it once!" Or topical and throwaway: "I did get a Wordle in 3 last week."

Redwinestillfine · 09/02/2022 14:41

Definitely mention it

user1477249785 · 09/02/2022 14:43

Personally I'd go for what lanthanum says

sonjadog · 09/02/2022 14:46

If you have done postgrad, have you written a Masters thesis? You could say that that was a great achievement because it requires stamina and planning and keeping motivation up over a long period. In that way you could mention an academic achievement without focusing on the grade that you got.

thing47 · 09/02/2022 14:58

@user1477249785

Personally I'd go for what lanthanum says

God no, don't do this|! Why are women always encouraged to hide their accomplishments instead of being proud of them? No man would think like this.

I don't know what field your qualifications are in, @NCWorkQn, but if they are related to your new job it sounds like they are absolutely the right thing to bring up in this forum. There's nothing arsey about talking about your professional qualifications in a work-related setting.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 09/02/2022 15:31

I'd go honest if that's what you feel like doing. Overcoming something you've struggled with like anxiety to this extent you can cope with a cringey fireside chat is a huge achievement. There is a big emphasis on wellbeing and mental health in a lot of companies.

I'd personally have three or so scenarios and judge the mood and what other people say, and maybe include a lighter / jokey one that shows your personality. Thats why they're asking, just to find out a bit more about what you're like as a person. So for instance I might say something about making sourdough bread, it took me a year of perfecting my recipe and eating a load of pancake style bread before I got a decent loaf and now I'm like a mini bakery some weeks. Lighthearted, shows how stubborn I am and how much I like cooking.

FunnyGoingsOn · 09/02/2022 15:37

I think it is a perfectly good thing to talk about. It's a massive achievement.

CatSpeakForDummies · 09/02/2022 15:44

I'd avoid the academic stuff unless you can make it interesting or funny in some way. Not because it sounds smug, but because it's directly related to you getting the job whereas this is to show that there's more to you.

There must be something: have you ever been lost and navigated back using the stars, have you ever changed a car tyre in a storm, survived school camp despite not packing any pants, rescued a bunny that would have otherwise been run over....can you ask DH when you've impressed him?

If not, is there anything you'd really like to do? You could use this as a chance to make yourself do it. "I'm really proud that I finally bit the bullet and signed up to a course of roller skating lessons/ flamenco classes/ jumped off the high diving board!

TottersBlankly · 09/02/2022 15:45

@sonjadog

If you have done postgrad, have you written a Masters thesis? You could say that that was a great achievement because it requires stamina and planning and keeping motivation up over a long period. In that way you could mention an academic achievement without focusing on the grade that you got.

This, but in addition I would go into a little depth about the subject matter - did you, even minutely, add to the sum of human knowledge through your own original thinking? (This is an accomplishment.)

And how has that work enhanced your ability to thrive in the job you’re now doing?

I would never ever reveal any personal issue / weakness / problem at such a meeting. These people are your colleagues, not your friends.

BowerOfBramble · 09/02/2022 15:46

I think to an extent it depends how long ago you were studying. If it was within the last few years I'd say go for it, if it's a decade or more ago I'd feel that was odd, unless there was some reason the odds were against you doing well. It wouldn't seem "up yourself" but it would make me think - but what's she done since then? Plus presumably most new hires went to uni etc.

Maybe just think of one cool project you've worked on and mention that. Or even something personal but not "exciting" - buying your own home, learning to garden, taking Spanish lessons, joining a group of some kind (you can even mention your anxiety in passing as somethng you had to deal with which makes this even more of an achievement).

HollowTalk · 09/02/2022 15:48

Are the others mentioning personal achievements involving physical strength, then? I would be most interested to hear about your birth mother, but I can see why you might not want to talk to strangers about that.

Watch a few episodes of Would I Lie to You and get some inspiration!

deeplyrooted · 09/02/2022 15:53

I'd have a long list that includes functioning with a severe anxiety disorder, reconciling with my biological mother, looking after my elderly parents and living a relatively normal life despite my past

I’m really glad that you recognise and value the magnitude of these achievements. I know I’m adding nothing useful to the thread but these really are great things.

Amibeinghighmaintenance · 09/02/2022 15:53

A man would not even be remotely expected to worry that he says he has a PHD!!!!

I like the idea of saying that you wish you could say that you climbed Everest without oxygen on tippy toes whilst reciting Hamlet but actually your really proud of the fact that you did a PHD in (insert topic). If you can’t overcome. Ring worried about being boastful try to think about it as that you’re actually telling something people that they genuinely might go oh that’s interesting! I’ve never thought about The History of Flanges in September 1907.

Amibeinghighmaintenance · 09/02/2022 15:55

I wrote an Honours Thesis on Soviet Industrial Polices 1929-1931. Give me the hint of an opportunity to mention it and I am jumping on my soap box

Dixiechickonhols · 09/02/2022 15:56

Gosh that sounds awful. I hate stuff like that. I don’t see why you can’t mention academic scholarship I’m sure it would be well received as audience isn’t all British. Other nationalities seem much more comfortable with academic achievement.
Could you talk about scholarship itself eg if it’s a historic one or unusual that might be interesting and then link in to why it was a big achievement for you.
I wouldn’t lie. If other two are using personal climbed Everest variety you either need to go very jovial eg dig out infants recorder certificate or do professional then it’s not a direct comparison. I wouldn’t lie.

Toooldtocareanymore · 09/02/2022 16:00

not quite the same but a friend a few years back prepping for an interview board, we prepared the same questions, and he replied with my mother would say it was getting named academic achievement from x university, however i would say it is keeping the cactus on my desk alive..he said it was very well received - was even told at end they looked forward to meeting the cacti

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 09/02/2022 16:02

What’s the corporate culture like? I might go for looking after your parents, as being a carer is difficult and important work. My employer has specific support for carers so would celebrate that.

Envoitrevisage · 09/02/2022 16:15

I would mention it, but i would also choose @BowerOfBramble idea.

So “Well, to date I am most proud of my masters in underwater basket weaving, which I did with a specialism investigating diving without oxygen. Ask me again in 12 months however and I am hopeful it would be a very different answer. 2022 seems to be a year to embrace exciting opportunities, like this new role, and therefore I have also just signed up and committed to a course of Malaysian Batik painting. I have wanted to learn for years since my trip to Borneo where I saw….”

senua · 09/02/2022 16:24

I agree with having several stories that you can slot in or out, depending on the feeling in the room.

I would be tempted (if I was in your league which I'm not! ) to not talk so much about your qualifications but more about the scholarship. The first is "me me me ", the second is a more modest but impressive "others think that I was worthy / had faith in me". You can then ramble on about how nice it is to have a pat on the back and so you always try to give positive feedback to colleagues blah blah blah

Sittingonabench · 09/02/2022 16:41

Think of a failure -something that went disastrously wrong and made you question yourself - doesn’t have to be a big thing - then how you fixed it and how it made you feel. The accomplishment was not giving up even though that would have been easier and the reward is knowing you can fail and it can make you better

Bosephine · 09/02/2022 16:50

You can absolutely talk about your academic achievements but I would put a spin on it- talk about the specific challenges you faced (not just the general difficulty of doing what you did) and how you overcame them. Also I'd really encourage you big yourself up a bit- from your post you sound as if you're already downplaying what you have done. It is quite normal to present yourself in the most impressive manner possible at work, while obviously not stretching the truth. Don't feel shy about doing this.

I personally would not talk about your health or family-related achievements, impressive though these are, unless you really want to. There is no obligation to share and it sounds as if you would prefer not to.

Hawkins001 · 09/02/2022 16:54

@NCWorkQn

I wasn't sure where to post this and it's more of a WWYD but I know AIBU gets the most traffic and I'm hoping for help.

I've got to do an awful work thing where all recent new hires 'present ourselves' to our wider team (about 80 attendees around the globe) - for anyone familiar with corporate BS speak it's like a fireside chat - I'm going to be one of 3 in the session. We will be asked pre-defined interview style questions and then the attendees can ask us other questions if they want (urgh). I am not a manager/leader or remotely close to that level so I am not v happy about having to do this.

Anyway, one of the questions is to describe an accomplishment we're most proud of - personal or professional - and I have no idea what to say. I know the other 2 have really interesting personal things they've done, but I genuinely feel like I've nothing I can talk about.

The only thing remotely relevant is that I did v well academically - at undergrad and postgrad (not even a PhD though) and got an academic scholarship. But I'm pretty sure if I talk about that I will sound like a complete knob and as someone with their head up their backside.

On paper, it's really the only thing I've achieved, but if I could be really honest (which I can't) then I'd have a long list that includes functioning with a severe anxiety disorder, reconciling with my biological mother, looking after my elderly parents and living a relatively normal life despite my past.

I don't have children by choice and I've never volunteered, or climbed mountains, or done anything wow. I'm married and financially stable (which I'm very grateful for) but that's really it. And I am happy with being boring and stable, but I know it's probably not going to go down well in corporate land (not that I normally care but I really like this job and hope I can survive a few years at least).

What would you do if you were me - mention the academic stuff or not? Or can anyone think of a fake accomplishment that I wouldn't get caught fibbing about ?

firstly all the best, then I'd go with academic scholarship, gives good perspectives and could inspire others.

mycatisannoying · 09/02/2022 16:54

Surely you've helped out a friend or family member when they were in a tight spot. Nobody lives in a total bubble!
Then you could talk about your empathy, people skills, being proactive, etc.

SarahAndQuack · 09/02/2022 17:04

Can you put a spin on your academic work that shows how it's got real-world relevance or importance? I always think that makes it sound more down to earth too. So for example, my thesis was about medieval manuscripts and the interaction between page design and code-switching, which sounds dry. But if I were applying for a job, I'd be saying that I looked at how people learned to read in the past, and it helped me understand my own dyslexia better.

I do this with my students sometimes when they're working on CVs for non-academic jobs so if you feel up to sharing something about what your thesis was, I could have a go?