Assignment 5: Major Reflective Report (30%) Part 2: Moving Forward PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH YOUR REFLECTION. It is now time to move forward and see how you can use your learning for future planning. When reflecting, consider your academic courses, your learning in PD19 and your work experience. If you were not employed this term, consider experiences you may have had in other work or academic terms, or via extracurricular activities (i.e., Working in a group, presentations, volunteering positions, personal experience, etc.). Question 1: Looking Ahead Select one of the two prompts (A OR B) below and address it in detail, drawing from your learning and experiences this term. Use the DEAL Model of reflection to respond to your chosen prompt with thoughtfulness and a thorough description. Information on how to use the DEAL model to reflect can be found on the How to Write a D.E.A.L Reflection page located in the Assessments section. A. In part 1 of the MRR you briefly described your current employer in terms of its organization, industry, the specific unit or team which you are operating (Part 1 Question 1). Thinking toward future work terms, describe in detail what kind of employer or job would you like to work for or try next. Examine and consider the common organizational characteristics you learned about in this course that are relevant to your ideal future work term. Articulate learning in terms of why you would like to pursue this path forward considering what you have learned in this course. B. In part 1 of the MRR you identified gaps in knowledge or skills (Part 1 Question 10). Consider the time you have left in the term. Thinking toward future work terms, describe what you can do to start filling gaps in your knowledge or experience. Examine and consider how you might expand upon course concepts covered this term – identify and explain 3 strengths or areas of growth you can continue to work on. Articulate learning in terms of how you might work on these strengths and how these strengths will support you in moving forward to the kind of job or career you are interested in. ANSWER TO QUESTION 1 Which prompt did you select (A or B)? A B Describe I am current working at a start-up company this time remotely. Although I did enjoy my time working in a start-up, I would like to try something different. I would like to try working in a larger company in person, and working under someone who can provide me with more guidance. I feel that I will learn more of the role is on-site where I can interact with more people and it will give me a more comprehensive experience. Perperably, the working location is Greater Toronto Area or the Greater Waterloo area. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area and attending university in Waterloo allowed me to be very comfortable in those environments. Working in those areas will allow me to meet friend after work to destress, which is important to have a good worklife balance. I would like to work in a team with 1-2 additonal co-op students so we can work together and discuss amongst ourselves when confused and help each other out. Examine The organizational characteristic that will be important to my future work term is from Module 8 – lifelong learning. I need to continue to learn new skills both within the school environment and outside the academic environment in order to be more employable. The world of techology is fast changing, in order to keep up with recent technology and trends as a way to stay in touch with the world that I am living in. For example, I am currently working with the Selenium library as a part of my job. Contents from this library is not covered by any part of my university program’s curriculum. If I don’t keep learning and learn outside of the classroom I would not be able to complete my job. As well, I think what I have learned in Assignment 4 is very important. I need to learn to admit to fault and deliver bad news in a professional way. Mistakes happen, I need to be able to communicate my mistake to others so both other and I can get the most of the experience and learn from the mistakes. Articulate Learning I would like to work in a bigger company in person because I can meet people face to face and it will be an excellent networking opportunity. As well, I would like to be in a smaller team with 1-2 additonal co-op students. Module 10 talked about the value of professional networks. I think it would be easier to develop a bigger professional network in person rather than remotely. Aswell, being in a smaller team will provide me a chance to know my team members more and allow me to build connections with every single one of them. For example if I needed help for a specific topic, I can just go to the member of the team who specializes in that field. Being with 1-2 co-op students allow me to work with them and learn together. Since we are all interns, we can talk about strategies to get good at the job and help each other out if needed. At the same time, I would like to word under a supervisor. Working under someone who are more familiar with the technology will provide me with an opportunity to learn and adapt to the new environment together and learn. Question 2: Updating your Resume Learning how to capture, reflect on, and evidence your experiences and skills will support you in ongoing development and prepare you for future employment applications. How will you add your experience this term to your engineering resume? Write 3 resume bullet points to describe your experience this term. If your experience was not in engineering, still consider how you will add it to your resume in a way that will be relevant to engineering positions. At least one bullet point should be related to a professional/soft skill. Think specifically about your professional skills and any job activities that align well the FRTF competencies. For help effectively drafting these bullet points, you can visit CareerHub. Every resume bullet point should include all 3 components (of the What-How-Why model) below: 1. What did you do? What action did you take (i.e. the activity)? 2. How did you use your strength (i.e. the methods/tools used)? 3. Why did you do it (i.e. what outcome did you achieve)? ANSWER TO QUESTION 2 1. Implemented automation algorithms to streamline ticket booking to boost efficiency by 120%. 2. Designed automated solutions by integrating Selenium API and PyAutoGUI on Python in order to streamline the ordering process. 3. Established and expanded the current automation database to allow automatic bookings by writing code with the Selenium library. Able to create more than 10 different code for different websites. Question 3: Preparing for Interview Questions Drawing on your work and course experiences this term, answer ONE of the following interview questions provided. Try to use experiences from this term and course, if possible. Create a response that takes between 80-100 seconds to say aloud (certainly no more than two minutes). Aim for a straightforward, organized narrative that is relevant, cites specific examples, and is of an appropriate professional tone. Consider visiting CareerHub to review resources and models for effectively responding to interview questions. • What matters to you in a workplace? • What motivates you in a workplace? • What did you like most about your last position? • What did you the least about your last position? • Thinking about what the world needs, how can you help meet these needs through your skills, interests, and values? • What are your goals for future employment? ANSWER TO QUESTION 3 Prompt: What matters to you in a workplace? Something that I value a lot in the workplace is respect for others. I really value a positive working environments because I would like to work in a place when everyone feel valued, heard and appreciated. I wish to work in a place where people is not afraid to share their ideas and contribute positively in the workplace. Also, I feel I would be more comfortable asking for help and directions from colleagues. By having respect for each other it will also make conflict resolution a lot simpler. Everyone will actively listen to each other and understand each persons perspective. I feel that I can learn a lot more from a company that values respect as being in this environment would make the atmosphere more welcoming and others would be more approachable to ask for assistance. When assistance becomes more accessible, I will be able to get feedabacks on my work more frequently, which would let me to learn and have a more valuable work term. In conclusion, I would like to work in a place that put a lot of emphasis on respect.
