Shivangi's April
Week 1 Reflection
Do you enjoy the work environment you’ve chosen (virtual, hybrid, or in-person)? What aspects of it do you find most helpful or challenging?
Yes, it’s been quite a journey. My placement is hybrid and for me, that means I come into the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and work from home the other two days. The most challenging aspect of in-office days is the commute. It’s only 2 buses for me but with precarious weather conditions, exhaustion and the stress of not not getting late, it becomes tedious. On some days, it’s pretty slow and I just sit at my desk all day, which for someone like me who enjoys active environments rather than passive ones, it could be a challenge. But it’s rewarding when I get to participate in more hands-on tasks, have more face-to-face interactions, and contribute in more energetic capacities. It’s helpful to complete office tasks at home where I can be more in my element and take breaks as needed to keep being productive, which allows me to complete tasks quicker, but do more active work in-person.
What aspects of the company or industry are you most interested in learning more about?
I am interested in learning more about marketing and human resources. I will be pursuing marketing in university, so learning more about how to establish a customer base, how to get your business/products out there and how the functions of marketing apply in real life is a very valuable asset. HR is something I’m interested in because of the human element of it. I have an interest in psychology, and getting to explore how to keep employees satisfied and what goes into keeping a business running behind the scenes sounds fun.
Have you been able to balance your work responsibilities with school or other commitments? How do you manage your time?
I balance my responsibilities by keeping my commitment separate and multitasking. For instance, I am the president of my school’s creative arts council. We generally have meetings on Tuesdays, so that allows me to message my executive team should they have any questions while I’m on shift, and I can quickly get to school after my shift ends. This way, I plan my week out in a way that allows me to focus on my main commitments while managing the other on the side, and prioritizing my time to complete one commitment so I can shift my attention on the other when it’s time. As for my school work, I usually aim to complete it in class and work late in the evenings for any additional tasks. I often use my notes app and calendar app to plan out my month/week as new tasks pop up so I don’t miss anything important, and can keep my commitments organized.
How do you think your work here connects to your future goals or career aspirations?
My work here helps me understand my interests and work ethic better. In the last week, I learned what I look for in a work environment and how I can be more productive. The skills I learn here at U+ will be applied to my future work, as I manage various tasks, responsibilities, and documents which require me to be efficient, pay attention to detail, and organize my work and time meticulously.
What 3 words would you use to describe your week?
I would describe my week as fun, active and efficient.