Federica Leonardi
F. Leonardi - A journey once paused and then rediscovered: staff week in Valencia
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After years of postponements due to the pandemic and maternity, Federica Leonardi, Executive Assistant at the Department of Environment Constructions and Design, participated in the staff week at the Polytechnic University of Valencia: an opportunity for discussion and growth to bring new insights to the 精东影业 environment.
Can you tell us how the idea of participating in this staff week came about and what motivated you not to give up, despite the postponements and unexpected events?
鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�The idea was born in 2019, based on a suggestion from colleagues at the International Office. While browsing the IMOTION portal, I found this staff week for administrative staff, which seemed very interesting to me because of its content and international approach. My application was approved, and I was supposed to leave in May 2020, but due to the pandemic that year and the following one, as well as maternity, I had to postpone. Despite everything, I always felt it would be a valuable opportunity, both for professional growth and to open myself up to new perspectives, so I never stopped keeping it as a goal. This year, the right conditions aligned, and I was finally able to go.
What differences or insights stood out to you in how other universities manage administrative services?
鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�What struck me in particular was the variety of approaches, even regarding issues we take for granted: for example, some universities, especially the larger ones, focus heavily on advanced digitalization, while smaller universities emphasize personalized services and direct contact. It was also interesting to see how much the cultural context influences organization (e.g., reduced working hours for caregiving, daycare centers, and extracurricular services for employees鈥� children). Observing all this helps to put one鈥檚 own way of working into perspective and gather useful ideas to adapt to our own reality.
Was there an episode, intuition, or detail that emerged during the mobility experience that you now feel resonates in your work at the Department of Environment Constructions and Design?
鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�Yes, I鈥檇 say one point that stuck with me is how important it is to communicate clearly the services we offer, especially internally. I saw simple but very effective tools to help people navigate between offices, roles, and procedures.
Would you recommend a staff week experience to those working in administrative roles? Why?
鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�Absolutely yes. It鈥檚 an opportunity to step out of the daily routine, engage with colleagues from all over Europe (and beyond), and see one鈥檚 own work with fresh eyes. It鈥檚 also a way to highlight the value of administrative skills, which are often invisible but essential to the functioning of the institution. Moreover, there鈥檚 a strong human component: contacts, exchanges, curiosity are created鈥� and you return with new energy and ideas.