My performance scorecards were sent to two individual who can attest for my character inside the work force. One of the individuals is a previous employer of mine who has seen me in a professional setting. The other person is the advisor for Alpha Kappa Alpha who has seen me in a professional setting, as well as an informal setting. These individuals have seen my work ethic and witnessed my role in a leadership position.
The results from my scorecard were refreshing. The comments left were nothing short of encouraging. Finally, my hard work has paid off. Often times, I am my hardest critic. So, to see that someone else notices my hard work is great! Also, these comments influenced self-reflection on my part. I notice that I do not self-reflect much, so to be able to look back at things was invigorating. Some comments that spoke to me the most were the high ratings in the communication portion of the scorecard. Personally, written and oral communication is a very important quality for individuals to have in the work force. To be able to communicate effectively is valuable. In addition, this skill is the basis for everything, especially interactions with others. I would like to work on my business acumen. I still think I lack the keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with business situations in a manner that will result in a good outcome. The more experiences I have in a business setting, the more improvements I will make in my business acumen. Business acumen seems to be hard for me to grasp, since I am a biology major. I am not use to the professional setting of a business. I am more use to lab work, dressing in sweats, wearing lab coats. Things in biology seem to be way more relaxed, especially at this stage in the process. Thus, I must acclimate myself to this business environment that builds business acumen. My technology skills are not the best, but definitely better than the average. I am able to use Microsoft word and excel. With my biology major, I have also used several programs to do data analysis. One can say I am diverse in the technological world. I have knowledge of social media, such as twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. On the other hand, my biology degree has enhanced my critical thinking and problem solving skills. I am able to work through different problems in the lab that require a thought process. The feedback from both my former employer and my advisor has been very valuable. This feedback gave me confirmation on things I am doing well, and gave me knowledge on areas where improvements needed to take place. I will work hard to improve my business acumen and self-reflect more. Self-reflection is a big key to improvement. For one to move forward, these must evaluate the past. Feedback is always necessary to hear, especially when it comes from a positive place. This assignment has put into perspective the level I am at in these skills I need to prosper in the work force. This entire process of budgeting and benefits has been stressful. Though, the knowledge gained was definitely beneficial to my life after graduation. Budgeting is definitely the most difficult part out of the two. This is seen with the “track your money for a week” assignment. I was able to see what my money was being spent on and did it correspond to the amount of money I had in my bank account. Also, I could see where overspending existed in different categories; I was able to see where money should not have been spent. In general, with budgeting, you have to take into account the money you bring in, revenue, and the money you spend, expenditures. Your expenditures cannot exceed your revenue. In the work force, your budget must include certain benefits that must be taken from your revenue. This is where the line gets blurred. Which benefits do you choose? Which benefits are more important? Where do you allocate more money to? These are questions that continuously come to mind when deciding on a workable budget based on one’s salary. Doing the virtual career based on a $30,000 budget was very eye opening. I could physically see where money was allocated and how much should go where to sustain a comfortable lifestyle; this activity allowed me to see where money is being spent and how much based on a specific salary. The budgeting skills learned are definitely transferable. From these activities, I am able to use these same techniques to fill out benefit forms accurately in any of my future jobs. I am now equipped with the knowledge to fill out forms that will cover me financially now and in the future. In addition, I have learned the best thing to do with this process is to ask questions. If any concerns arise, one should report to their human resources office for help. No question is not a good question. These forms play an important role in the one’s future pay and protection.
Above is the email received from the Cash Course website for completion on the post and pre-test for the benefits assignment. Above is the email received from the Cash Course website for completion on the pose and pre-test for the budgets assignment.
From filling out the paperwork above, I was very flustered. The language used was a barrier for me. Certain terms I did not understand the meaning for, and many abbreviations were not clear to me. The forms were also time consuming, especially since I was not equipped with all the possible knowledge to fill out these forms. I do think filling out the forms would have been easier in the presence of a professional.
As evidence for the personal and professional management on my part, I present my internship at Workplace Options in the Wellness Department. Workplace Options is a company that provides benefits to other companies’ employees. It is on a global scale, with companies stationed over the world. In the wellness department, as an intern, I worked closely with certified health coaches, lactation specialists, and wellness consultants to provide clients with assistance in five key areas: nutrition, stress, weight loss, physical activity, and tobacco cessation. I chose this particular experience because it touches on the key things needed to be a great student or employee. This internship demonstrates personal and professional management by my gaining of professional presence, personal management, basic business knowledge, and social and cross-cultural skills. Professional presence was witnessed when I continuously wore appropriate attire for the work place. Personal management was seen through my ability to manage my personal time and professional projects to achieve this work/life balance. After a few weeks on the job, my business acumen increased because I learned the specific duties of the job and the business as a whole. From my communication with diverse populations, my social and cross-cultural skills were honed.
By creating this artifact, I have reflected upon my experience as an intern in the wellness department of Workplace Options. This self-reflection has allowed me to see the positives and where improvements are needed to be made to perfect my personal and professional management. From this experience, I have clearly enhanced those skills. I am able to present an appropriate dress in the work place, demonstrate initiative and willingness to learn, basic project management, and oral and written communication skills across diverse populations. These qualities are important information for an employer or an organization within my area of professional interest because they show I have the basis and knowledge of being a great employee. This proves after graduation I can go in the workplace and have the tools I need to start to succeed. I can build upon this experience going forward to further enhance my personal and professional management skills by building on the things I have already learned, and not just letting them slowly diminish. I must use these skills consistently for the diminishment of them to not take place, and the enhancement of them to continue. My strength definitely lies in professional presence. I know and have what it takes to create a good first impression. Improvements can be made with my business acumen, as said before though, I think that will come with knowledge of the company and working experience. I will communicate this experience with impact to a potential employer or graduate school like I have written here. I will state my experience, explain the job, and connect the skills I have refined there that could be of possible use in graduate school or the work place. |