Jacobs' truly remarkable colleague Sarah James, talks about her neurodiversity super power and life at Jacobs.

Having a virtual coffee with Sarah James, Market Sector Leader: Mining, Power and Energy, Digital Solutions (ANZ), we find out about Sarah's recent high-profile TEDx Mandurah speaking engagement in Australia and what really does inspire her.

 

 

Sarah has boundless energy and a desire to change people’s attitudes on a number of topics; be it the way we connect with people, liaise with our clients, and balance home and work life. Find out more about all these topics and more from a truly remarkable Jacobs colleague.

 

Q1. We must start off with the TEDx Mandurah speaking event Sarah, please share with us what it was like to take part in such a high-profile event. And, can you share your insights, reflections from the experience.

Tedx has been a roller coaster ride of emotions, from feeling like I was going to fail on the first share of my speech with the team back in November, through to butterflies like I have never felt in over 20 years since doing exams back at University or even at high school! I think the best part about it was being able to work as part of a team of twelve speakers, to share our work with each other and learn from each other. It's been interesting to see how people interpret what you say, in many different and wonderful ways and how people take meaning from words. I have learnt so much!

I started off writing 7000 words to apply for the submission, this is what I can do if I sit down and write (I have to be in the creative mood and passionate!). I then had to rethink what I had written as it was too much, I had written 3 stories into one.

I spoke to the group about my draft and a few trusted confidents, and they liked the underlying story about being different. So, I peeled back the layers, removed the sustainability, my off grid farm story, the technology story and all the amazing ideas I had and one was left which was raw and personal. My family and my journey with Autism. Reading it to my family the very first time was scary.

The dedicated time on a Thursday night to prepare for the event was amazing, I've never had that before. Being a mum of two amazingly neurodiverse little girls, and with a husband who has ADD, sometimes I need to have time for myself, I don't get much of that at all. It was an indulgence and I made sure I made the most of it.

 

Q2. Your talk was about personal experiences around autism and neurodiversity, please share a little more about this and why neurodiversity is a super power for those working in technology, engineering and other areas.

It depends on who you are, and what behaviours you have as part of your Neurodivergence, for me my "Super Powers" are:

• Loyalty and honesty,
• Empath abilities (I can read a room and pick up on other people emotions very quickly, it’s like a highly tuned radar),
• Hyperfocus (the ability to get so much done in a short amount of time when I focus),
• The ability to think into the future,
• The ability to think in 3D and to draw in perspective,
• The ability to spot seemingly unrelated concepts and principles and spot the patterns that intersect,
• A love for data and research,
• A love for learning,
• The ability to fixate on something,
• Creative and inventiveness,
• Ability spot errors (not in my own work though!),
• An ability to understand spatial concepts.

 

Q3. You have been a part of a number of events recently, can you tell us more. Can you sum up some of the main learnings?

Yes, it's been a busy time spreading the Jacobs values and solutions at various events. One of the main themes is around recruitment #SeeHerBeHer; if we can’t hire because there is no resource pool; let’s create and encourage that resource pool and inspire people from university and others to be what they want to be. I have a responsibility to inspire the next generation to be an Engineer, a Technologist, a Geographer, what ever people want to be. I also learnt that most of the firms in our industry are doing similar things, we are the only ones who are focusing on diversity in all of our teams though. A big differentiator in my view. 

 

Q4. We are all inspired by your energy and enthusiasm Sarah, what do you think are three key things you have learned over the years that create success.

To know who your people and your community are - that have your back and will support you no matter what. My advice would be:

• Find your Community
• Find your Digital Sisters
• Your People Manager, or someone close to you who can inspire you to be more; and inspire you to do anything!

I don’t have an off switch, this can be a super power sometimes; I have learnt to know when to stop and when to say no more, I need to rest. Sometimes my family tell me before I know I should. I miss this ability to slow down!  Also, I'd say I really value those long term relationships. Relationships last a life time and the best ones are the ones you don’t even know are there. Finally, I'd say treat everyone the way you wish to be treated with kindness and fairness.

 

Q5. Who has been your biggest inspiration in your life?

My Dad! Watch my talk to find out more. 

 

Q6. You are an ACE network member - why are our JEN Networks so important and why do you think they are so valuable to people?

Being part of a community and knowing you are not the only one struggling with meltdowns over socks (yes, those annoying seams in socks!) which are uncomfortable, or because you have chosen the wrong t-shirt - it’s not yellow, or because the sky is blue or because there is no rainbow in the sky this evening!!

Life comes with challenges and knowing there are others around you dealing with similar challenges, or much worse than your own, makes you realise to raise your head, keep going and never ever give up. Knowing that there is always someone to talk to here at Jacobs, who can help and mean it. It’s not just a token gesture, it’s real and people genuinely want to help.

 

Q7. What’s high on your personal and work journey for the next 3-6 months?

• Build the team – grow by another 10 in the next 6months!
• Win work and help our clients on their digital journey,
• Build the brand,
• Support and continue to grow alongside my children - including developing outside school activities with them with the likes of Coderdojo,
• See my UK family over here. I haven’t seen them in 3 years and I cannot wait!  Hopefully, also visit the UK and say hello to my UK colleagues around Christmas time.

 

Q8. What is one thing you’d like people to take away today?

To be your authentic self and never be afraid to be you. We are all different for a reason, as my Mother Says “If we were all the same life would be boring”. It's good to be different - don’t ever change.”

 

Q9. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us all, anything else you’d like to add here Sarah?

If one person takes away from my Tedx talk that you are not alone, and understand what it feels like to be autistic then I hope that helps. I have done my job to inspire and to encourage others to be themselves, no matter how different you may be.

Finally, as a Board Member of the Autism Academy I have been able to influence our HR and Digital teams to utilise their internship program and harness the talent of young people with autism. It’s great to pay it forward by creating opportunities that challenge stigma and combat the reality of higher unemployment in the autistic community. It’s wonderful to be part of a change that benefits all of us. We've had great feedback from the staff training that accompanies this initiative.

 

Biography:

Originally from the UK, Sarah is based near Perth in Western Australia. 

Sarah James is a dynamic and energetic author, innovator, Principal with Jacobs. Sarah has over 20 years of delivery excellence and experience in Analytics, AI, IoT, Spatial and Data and their use within technology and engineering. Sarah is also the co-founder of Jacaranda Hill Farm – an off-grid, sustainable farm in the Darling Ranges that is using IoT innovations to be Western Australia’s first tech-focused permaculture farm open to visitors and campers.

Sarah is also the author of “Are you Ready to change the world? - Technology leadership for the future.” A book that introduced her to Jacobs and one that inspires people to be more, do more and make a difference.