CAREERS CORNER | Networking and mentors the key for London Olympian Jane Moran

When it comes to transitioning to life after elite sport, London Olympian Jane Moran said there are two stand out pieces of advice she has: mentoring and networking.

 Since graduating from a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at The University of Queensland more than 15 years ago, Moran has worked with Aurecon, becoming a leader within her workplace.

After years as an elite water polo player, working her way up into the senior teams, she knew first hand how hard work and dedication can pay off.

“I’ve worked at Aurecon for 15 years now, I did two years as an undergraduate and then went into a graduate role,” Moran said.

“I worked my way up where I lead our Newcastle business and managed an office of 90 people across transport, water, buildings, resources and mining sectors before I recently transitioned to being the Client Leader for Transport in New South Wales.

“My new role is a market role, so I need to be across all of our transport clients and demonstrate value in how we service them,” she said.

As a woman in a leadership position within a male dominated industry, Moran had some words of advice for females looking to move into leadership roles.

“Don’t be afraid to sell yourself. Apply for grants, nominate for positions, verbalise your interest in things, find someone who is good at pointing out the good you are contributing,” Moran said.

“I am an absolute advocate for mentoring, I currently have four mentors and three mentees.

“While some people might think that is too many, I have them all for very specific and different purposes.

“I think mentoring goes hand in hand with continual improvement, there’s always going to be someone who went through what I am preparing for, so why not test their thoughts?

“I learnt the importance of continual improvement and feedback from water polo and these are two very important things that I use each and every day in my professional life,” she said.

Moran encourages young athletes to start building their networks and building relationships with the people that are there to help.

“Expand your network in any way that you can - attend seminars, go to university functions, participate in industry events,” Moran said.

“You never know when the ‘net’ you have can support you. My recent appointments have been because of my ‘net’.

“Involving myself in different areas has broadened my exposure and has demonstrated my leadership potential to some key people.

“I also strongly recommend athletes to liaise with the Wellbeing and Engagement Managers.

“Laurie Fabian was my advisor when I was at the Queensland Academy of Sport and he helped me to write letters to my university when I was overseas for exams, finding opportunities for me to attend sponsorship and education seminars and most importantly, because of the relationship I had built with Laurie, he made some really great suggestions of programs for me to apply to.

“One of which was the Women Athlete Business Network where I was in the inaugural cohort of global retired athletes with strong business leadership where I was exposed to some phenomenal mentors and got to attend the IWF conference in Boston - such a brilliant experience and one that keeps on giving, I’m not letting those mentors go!”

Moran is now the Chair of the Water Polo Australia Athletes Advisory Committee and a member of WPA Board, continuing to contribute to water polo at a strategic level.