A career development program designed to provide you with the time, theory and practical support to craft the career that is right for YOU.
Career YOU is a career development program created by Franklin Women for early-career women working in the healthcare and medical research ecosystem who want to set bold goals that support their ambitions.
Following the success of our pilot, the virtual Career YOU program will run again in 2026. Registrations will open in December 2025, with exact dates to be confirmed.
This online program will help you identify your strengths and values, clarify your career goals and create a practical action plan. You’ll join a small, diverse group of women at similar career stages for interactive learning, peer support and growth.
What to expect
Learning journey
Key dates
🗓️ Enrolment opens: December 2025
🗓️ Enrolment closes: TBC
Please join our waitlist to be first to hear when enrolments for the 2026 virtual cohort open!
2026 virtual program:
The program includes 5 online modules delivered across 10 weeks in mid 2026. Each module includes live sessions where you can ask questions and connect with others. If you can’t make a session live, recordings will be available so you won’t miss out.
We’re still finalising the exact dates and times but registrations will open in late 2025. We’ll share all the details as soon as they’re ready. Register your interest below!
Investment
This investment covers:
✔️ Your participation in all five program modules facilitated by an expert career coach
✔️ Unlimited access to the module recordings for easy content refresh
✔️ A 20minute one-to-one discovery session with a member of the facilitation team to set you up for success
✔️ Access to a private group to network with other professionals completing the program
✔️ A learning journal –(developed by experts) packed with practical tools, further reading, and reflective exercises to support your growth long after the program ends.
If the investment is a barrier for your participation please contact us [email protected]
How good would it feel to have…
⭐ A deeper understanding of your strengths and how to leverage them for career success.
⭐ Clarity on your short- and long-term career goals, along with actionable next steps.
⭐ A toolkit of practical career development strategies and the confidence to implement them.
⭐ Meaningful connections with a vibrant network of women from across the health and medical research ecosystem.
⭐ A renewed sense of commitment and excitement about your career.
Meet your facilitator
Jo Porter, Founder & Director, Leading Lighter MAPP, BA(hons) Psych & HRM
Jo is the Founder and Director of Leading Lighter, a coaching and consulting business working with leaders in STEMM, applied research, and academia. Jo has over 20 years’ experience in learning and leadership development, including 13 years working for Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. She has a master’s degree in wellbeing science from the University of Melbourne and is passionate about enabling leaders to flourish.
What is unique about the Career YOU program...
Designed by women in our sector and professional experts
Franklin Women has built this course from the ground up calling upon our own experiences as women in the Australian health and medical research ecosystem and feedback we have received from our community over the years. We captured this unique perspective in the content design which was brought to life by an experienced STEMM career coach (bio above) who has embedded evidence-based theories, frameworks and tools.
Putting YOU at the center of your career journey
Our careers are often influenced by others and the systems we work within. There are few opportunities to think about what matters to YOU. This program will put you at the center of your career goals, helping you to identify your values and strengths and how they can be leveraged in your career and long-term professional aspirations.
Built around the experiences of women
This program is designed around the unique experiences of women. FW believes that creating spaces for women to share, connect and learn can help address the career stagnation and attrition currently seen in Australia. This program acknowledges the current limitations of the systems we work within while also empowering individuals to ensure we have a strong pipeline of women pursuing careers in the health and medical research ecosystem.
Peer learning and support
A key strength of the FW community is that we represent women in diverse organisations, disciplines and roles within the health and medical research ecosystem – whether it be academia, clinical care, professional roles or beyond. Taking part in this program will enable you to learn from different experiences and perspectives while also extending and strengthening your professional and personal networks.
Are you interested in Career YOU but have a query you want answered before you sign up? Please email [email protected] so we can help.