Work Life Integration

Can you have your cake and eat it too?

The Women in Surveying & Spatial Sciences WA Forum hosted its first sold‑out Breakfast Meeting of 2026, and the conversations sparked will resonate well beyond the room.

Our guest speaker, Dr Emma McConnell, challenged a long‑held assumption—that work and life are competing forces, constantly pulling us in different directions. Instead, she re-framed the conversation toward work–life integration, reminding us that our work should support our life, and our life should support our work. When aligned well, they strengthen one another—and our values should guide both.

A powerful theme throughout the morning was the role of mastery in career satisfaction. When we actively develop our skills, grow our confidence, and pursue work that stretches and fulfills us, our careers become more meaningful and sustainable. Mastery isn’t about perfection or titles—it’s about feeling capable, engaged, and connected to what we do.

Central to all of this is defining and truly knowing our values. Not the values we think we should hold, but those shaped by our experiences, priorities, and life stages. When our decisions—both professional and personal—are anchored in those values, clarity follows.

Importantly, this is not a passive process. Work–life integration doesn’t simply happen over time. It requires intention, reflection, and action. Dr McConnell encouraged us to approach this as a DESIGN task:

• Define what “having it all” means to you

• Evaluate your current reality with honesty

• Spot the roadblocks—both real and perceived

• Identify what is within your control

• Get one step closer through small, deliberate actions

• Nurture the life you are intentionally creating

  
  

  

This framework was a powerful reminder that while we all come from different backgrounds and our careers will take many paths, we each have agency. By actively seeking what we want—rather than waiting for permission—and by having open conversations with leaders, stakeholders, and family, we move closer to a working life that truly supports who we are.

And perhaps most importantly, this is not a one‑time exercise or a final destination. What “having it all” looks like will evolve as we do—across seasons of life, career stages, and changing priorities. Work–life integration is an ongoing journey of reflection, adjustment, and growth, and one that deserves patience, compassion, and intention.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr Emma McConnell for her generosity, insight, and authenticity (and for juggling the realities of life with a three‑year‑old on a Thursday morning!).

Thank you also to our sponsors—C.R. Kennedy & Company, Veris, the Western Australian Institution of Surveyors (WAIS) – Surveyors WA, and CK Maloney Surveying—for making this event possible.

What a fantastic way to connect, reflect, and think about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed. We look forward to continuing these human‑savvy, future‑focused conversations within our industry.

We look forward to planning and welcoming our community to our next event!