Placement week. What a challenge!

 This week has been one of those rare ones where everything seemed to connect.

On Monday and Wednesday, I spent the day working on the Tarian project, exploring how awareness, psychology, and communication intertwine in preventing online harm. Then, on Tuesday, I attended the FAIRE / Browne Jacobson careers day, where we spoke about finding your path in law, not just by title or salary, but by purpose and fit. Somewhere between those two days, something clicked. I realised that understanding how we work, why we respond the way we do, and what motivates us isn’t just useful for career planning, it’s essential. So, when I sat down later that week to complete the Career Pathway Personality Assessments, it felt less like ticking boxes and more like holding up a mirror. Fourteen tests later, I could see a fuller picture of myself, not just as a law student, teacher, or researcher, but as a whole person. 

What drives me, challenges me, and helps me thrive.

This morning, as the last stretch of our first ever placement week, I find myself having to fill in endless personality quizzes. At first, I looked at the task in dismay. So many things I already know about myself, being almost 50, but there is still a lot to learn.

The first test was about my temperament.

When I first saw my temperament result , INFJ, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like reading a personality mirror that somehow knew my inner workings better than I could explain them myself. The INFJ type is described as creative, intuitive, and deeply empathetic, often torn between the drive to help others and the need for quiet reflection. That pretty much sums up my life in one sentence. We INFJs work best when our values align with what we do, when we’re free to innovate and bring a bit of heart into our work. But we also carry that infamous tendency to overthink, to take criticism too personally, and to drown in details that don’t matter. It’s both our gift and our downfall. The assessment reminded me how important it is to find balance and to trust my instincts, yes, but to stay grounded in the practical. Whether I’m teaching, writing, or simply trying to keep life organised, my INFJ nature shows up as the quiet compass behind every decision.

Then we had the personality insight.

The Personality Insight test painted a picture that felt both familiar and revealing. I scored low on extraversion, which didn’t surprise me, I’m most alive in quiet spaces, with time to think deeply and work independently. Yet, the same test showed high agreeableness, meaning I crave harmony and naturally put others’ needs before my own. That mix can be challenging. Me being introverted but also caring too much about keeping the peace can sometimes mean losing my voice in group settings. My low emotional stability score made me pause, though. It was a reminder that sensitivity, while sometimes exhausting, is also what fuels empathy and creativity. Balancing that with high conscientiousness and openness makes for an interesting combination: a tidy, organised mind that also thrives on change, curiosity, and new ideas. Reading it all together felt like a manual on how I already live, seeking structure but needing variety, craving calm but drawn to challenge.

The next one was about workplace culture.

 My workplace culture results felt like tracing the path of every job I’ve ever had. And there were a few. I seem to sit right in the middle of most things, happy with some structure but allergic to too much of it, drawn to teamwork yet fiercely protective of my independence. The test showed I have a mid preference for family-style and mission-driven workplaces, which makes sense. I’ve always thrived in environments where people care about people and where what we do actually means something. But I also like a bit of order, the calm predictability of a system that works without being trapped in endless red tape. Interestingly, I scored low for entrepreneurial and achievement-driven cultures, which explains why cutthroat competition has never appealed to me. I don’t need to “win” to feel successful; I just need to make a difference and do something that aligns with my values. For me, the perfect workplace isn’t about buzzwords or bonuses, it’s about purpose, kindness, and balance.

Then there was motivation.

If the Workplace Culture test explained where I work best, this one revealed why I work at all. My top motivators were development, purpose, and control, and honestly, that feels like the story of my career so far. I’m happiest when I’m learning, growing, and doing something that aligns with my values, not just clocking in and out. I’ve always believed that work should feel like progress, not punishment, and this test confirmed it. Recognition and achievement also scored high, which I’ll admit made me smile. I thrive when I know my efforts are noticed, even in small ways, and when the work itself feels meaningful. Interestingly, I also scored high for stability, which probably explains why I love a good plan and clear structure, even while craving freedom within it. Altogether, these results painted a picture of someone driven by growth, fairness, and purpose. My quiet ambition is rooted not in status or power, but in making a lasting difference. Which I really like.

Personal resilience.

When I read through my Personal Resilience results, I felt a mix of recognition and relief. It described me as medium on resilience or someone who copes well most of the time but occasionally needs a moment to gather herself before bouncing back. That felt fair. Life has thrown its share of curveballs, but I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about knowing how to get up. And I have several times, sometimes slower, but always stronger. I scored high on coping with change, problem-solving, and self-confidence, which made sense. I’ve always been the type to find solutions rather than dwell on setbacks, though I admit I sometimes jump in too fast. My mid-scores for working with others and support networks reminded me that strength doesn’t mean doing it all alone. It means something I still have to remind myself of who I am and what extraordinary thing I have lived through made me this way. And of course, my high score for organisation didn’t surprise anyone; structure is my safety net. Altogether, these results painted a version of me that’s still learning to balance independence with asking for help, a quiet kind of resilience that bends, but never breaks. I felt quietly very proud of this one.

Then we have the emotional control one. My lowest score.

Scoring 96 on the Emotional Control scale made me pause, in a good way. It suggested I manage my emotions well in most situations, but still have room to grow when life turns up the heat. That felt accurate. I’ve learned to recognise that emotions aren’t the enemy, they’re messengers. Anger, worry, even frustration, they all mean something needs attention. The key, I’ve found, is learning to respond rather than react. According to my results, I’m able to separate what I feel from how I express it, which makes sense given how often I’ve had to stay calm when things go wrong, for example in classrooms, meetings, or tribunals. But the reminder not to over-control struck a chord too. Holding too much in can come across as detached or unfeeling, and that’s never been my intention. Emotional balance, it turns out, isn’t about staying neutral, it’s about staying real and allowing space for the mum side to show, while keeping enough control to choose your next step wisely.

Managing what?

Scoring 110 on the Management Skills test put me in the “inspirational manager” category. This was both flattering and grounding. I’ve never seen myself as a traditional manager; I don’t lead with authority, I lead with purpose in all the jobs I had where I held such positions. The results suggested I’m comfortable working through others, coaching rather than controlling, and that I find real satisfaction in helping people grow and that couldn’t be truer. Whether in the classroom, a project team, or a community group, I’ve always believed that good management is about creating space for others to succeed. That said, the reminder to stay aware of conflict and balance delegation with accountability was a valuable one. Inspiration, after all, isn’t just about positivity; it’s about fairness, clarity, and consistency. I liked that the test encouraged me to think beyond titles accrued over the years and  to use my skills in mentoring, developing others, and maybe even leading change on a wider scale. Leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t about being in charge, it’s about being in tune with your colleagues and balancing multiple people at multiple times..

Scoring 101 on the Giving Feedback test put me in the “usually comfortable” category, which I’d say is spot on. I’ve never shied away from honest conversations, but I’ve also learned that how you say something matters just as much as what you say. My results reminded me that balance is everything. One piece of constructive feedback works best when it’s surrounded by genuine recognition. It’s something I’ve tried to practise in my teaching with a blend of honesty and kindness, offering guidance that builds rather than demolishes. The test described feedback as “throwing a ball”, one that you can offer but it’s up to the other person whether they choose to catch it. I love that metaphor. It captures the respect that sits at the heart of real communication. Giving feedback isn’t about pointing out flaws. it’s about planting seeds for growth and then trusting that they’ll take root in their own time. I am particularly proud of this one.

With a score of 96, my Stress Management results placed me in the “coping well” range which surprised me while feeling reassuring, and also revealing. It confirmed that while I handle most challenges with calm and clarity, I’m not immune to the occasional spiral when things pile up. The test reminded me that stress isn’t just about what happens to us, but how we interpret it. I’ve learned that when I start to feel that creeping sense of overload, it’s usually because I’m trying to control too many moving parts. My home, my work, my studies, my research, and everything in between. Taking a step back, breathing, and asking myself, “Can I change this, or can I adapt?” helps me reset. Interestingly, the report also mentioned that uncertainty can be a major trigger for stress. That hit home really hard. I like to know where things are heading. But it also made me realise that clarity often comes after we let go a little. So now, I’m learning to see pressure not as the enemy, but as energy or as something to be channelled rather than feared.

I scored 101 in my Customer Focus test which placed me in the “good in front of a customer” range and that felt right. Whether it’s students, colleagues, or community members, I’ve always seen people as the heart of any job. The test described me as someone who listens well, builds rapport, and takes personal responsibility for getting things right, all my favourite qualities I’ve tried to grow over the years. What stood out most, though, was the reminder to empathise even more and look at the bigger picture, not just fixing what’s in front of someone, but anticipating what they might need next. That’s something I recognise from both teaching and advocacy: true service isn’t reactive, it’s proactive. It’s about caring enough to go that extra mile even when nobody’s watching. I liked that the report also applied this idea to internal customers, our colleagues and teams, because kindness and professionalism should never be limited to the front-facing parts of our work or to staff serving us when we are customers.

Scoring 93 on the Sound Decision-Making test placed me in the “fine-tuning” range, which feels like the perfect description of where I am in life right now. I’m confident in analysing situations, gathering information, and weighing up options, but I also trust my instincts when logic alone won’t do. The report described someone who makes rational, defendable decisions while being aware of potential biases and that resonates with me, especially as a law student, researcher, counsellor, mother, wife and teacher. I’ve learned that decisions aren’t about being right every time, they’re about being responsible for the reasoning behind them. The test reminded me to keep questioning the sources of my information and to be mindful of hidden agendas, a valuable skill in both legal and personal contexts. My takeaway? Good decisions come from balance and enough analysis to feel confident, enough intuition to act, as well as enough humility to adjust when things don’t go to plan.

My assertiveness results described me as someone who expresses needs and opinions clearly, calmly, and respectfully and that felt like a surprisingly reassuring reflection of how I try to navigate life. I’ve learned that being assertive isn’t about being loud or forceful but it’s about being steady. The report highlighted that I’m able to say what I need without trampling on others, and that I aim for a “win-win” outcome whenever possible. That resonated deeply. Years of teaching, studying law, and advocating for fairness have taught me that true strength lies in balance speaking up without overpowering, listening without disappearing. The reminder to stay aware of how assertiveness can sometimes be misread as aggression also struck a chord. Tone, timing, and empathy all matter. And yes, I still have my passive moments, times when I bottle things up to avoid conflict but I’m learning that saying “no” with calm conviction is one of the most respectful things we can do for ourselves and others.

Scoring 101 on the Learning Styles assessment confirmed what I’ve long suspected: I learn best when reflection meets creativity. My results showed strong preferences across several categories, Reflective Realist, Quietly Creative, and Pragmatic Doer with a touch of Active Changer energy sprinkled in. It made perfect sense. I love to think things through, analyse what works, and plan carefully but I also enjoy bringing new ideas to life, finding beauty and purpose in what I learn. The “Quietly Creative” label especially resonated with me; I do my best thinking in calm moments, linking concepts together and imagining new ways to apply them. At the same time, the “Pragmatic Doer” side of me wants results. I don't just want to understand something, I want to use it. This balance between reflection and action, between creativity and practicality, has shaped not only how I study but also how I teach. It’s learning as a loop: think, create, apply, and improve and then begin again.

Completing the Strengths assessment felt like taking a deep breath of self-recognition. It laid out my abilities not as a list of tasks, but as a reflection of what energises me. What I’m naturally drawn to and where I thrive. My prime strengths included communication, coaching, facilitating, and mentoring, all things that sit at the heart of what I love doing, whether in teaching, law, or everyday life. These are not just skills; they’re parts of my identity. I also smiled reading about my untapped strengths, empathy, managing change, and strategic thinking, as if the test was gently nudging me toward the next chapter of my career. The necessary skills section was honest too. It reminded me that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it forever. The biggest lesson? Strength isn’t only about mastery, it’s about meaning. It’s knowing what you bring to the table, what drains you, and what lights you up and then shaping your path around that truth.

the week is over, the work is done, roll on my future.