Jillian Carson-Jackson

"The personality types really seem to fit how I view myself and reflect the career I have followed. Campaigner, communicator and influencer all work together to reflect my passion for clearly expressing the developments, including digital communications, in the maritime environment. I try to focus on presenting the information in a clear and easily understood manner, working to understand what the audience / students require and then delivering the content with authentic passion and vision. The campaigner side brings out my passion for what I do. Through my career I have always strived to be in a position that motivated me to do my very best. When I began to see myself becoming too comfortable in a role, when the role began to become routine and the passion was waning, then I would work to identify a new opportunity that brought back the passion!This passion links into the communicator, where I can turn my passion into learning opportunities. In the classroom, on the conference meeting floor or through written articles, I enjoy simplifying complex information and educating others on those matters that drive my passion – safety for seafarers, the importance of clear communications using all available means, safety and protection of the environment. As a communicator I also strive to be an influencer – using words and technology to convey more than just words, but to influence change."

"The main things I do are related to envisioning and anticipating developments to support vessel traffic – smooth and safe movements of ships in and out of ports, supporting sustainable shipping, looking at the ‘smart ports’ developments and promoting how this may be implemented in the near, medium and long term. This means taking some really complicated and technical concepts and trying to make them understandable. I enjoy the challenge of trying to ensure the information is clearly presented, as well as the creativity in envisioning what the future could look like. I have a strong environmental leaning, so I am always looking at ways to include sustainability into the work I do. I also love working with people, and helping them to realise their own strengths. I have great opportunities to learn from many different cultures, work environments and professions, which is constantly challenging me in how I work, what I think and where my priorities are. "

"I really didn’t image myself in this career at all – when I left highschool all I wanted to do was figure skate, and then teach figure skating. I had an issue with an old injury (really, it’s the truth!) and ended up attending the Canadian Coast Guard College as a sort of ‘consolation’ prize. I am so glad that I did! My career has been ever changing, with no clear path from the start, but a nice line now I look back at it. I loved my job working as a navigation officer on the ships, and this provided me with an excellent range of experiences to bring ashore. When I worked in search and rescue I used my experiences, and gained additional skills for incident management and crisis response. This was very useful when I went into VTS – where I also had the opportunity to learn French through work. When I got a bit bored with shift work, I had a chance to teach VTS, which I loved! My work with the students, and my past experience on the ships and in SAR, led me to develop a training curriculum for VTS that was agreed internationally. Through that work I had a chance to move from Canada to France to work internationally with an NGO (non-governmental organization) on different aspects related to shipping, lighthouse and VTS and more. The French I had learned for my job in VTS came in very handy!After some time in France, though the network I had created, I had a chance to move to Australia where I focused on vessel tracking, working to put in place a way to know better where vessels where to support SAR and pollution response. There is a constant thread going through my career – a love of nature, a love of the water, a desire to help people and the environment, and a love of teaching and communicating. "

"I love boats, and water! I enjoy swimming, kayaking, sailing. I also love visiting my family’s summer home in Georgian Bay, Ontario, but I do live in Canberra, Australia, so it is a bit of a trek! I enjoy all sorts of crafts – sewing, knitting, crocheting, and generally working with my hands. I love music – adore music! I play the French horn, and have fun in community orchestras, bands and chamber groups. My husband and I play bridge and enjoy cooking together. In line with environmental concerns, we use bicycles for lifestyle, rather than exercise. I love to load the paniers on my bike and head to the shops! "

"My typical day at work now is very different to what it was. As I am now running my own consulting company, I have the opportunity to adjust my daily routine a bit more, but I also tend to work pretty much whenever, and wherever, required. When I am in my home office, my day typically starts with a good breakfast and some time with my husband. I shift my work schedule so that we have time together in the morning (he works afternoons in a children’s afterschool care program). My ‘day’ then includes being creative and developing training material, writing articles, working on one of the books I am updating or writing, talking with colleagues from all over the world on skype, gotomeeting, zoom, whatsapp, linked in or even old fashioned mobile phone! "

"High School graduation – Ontario, CanadaDiploma of Nautical Sciences, Canadian Coast Guard / watchkeeping certificate and associated endorsementsVTS (vessel traffic services) certificates (Marine Traffic Regulator; Maritime Communications and Traffic Services Officer) CanadaBachelor of Education, University of Moncton, New Brunswick, CanadaMaster of Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDiploma of Government, Canberra, ACT, Australia"