Anita's December Week 2 Reflection
Describe a challenge you have faced in a project thus far. How did you overcome it?
I’m currently working on planning a nationwide virtual volunteering initiative, and one of the biggest challenges we’ve been facing is the tight deadlines. With winter break approaching and the end of the semester nearing, there is still a lot of research and coordination to be done. A significant part of this involves reaching out to community centers to gather essential information, but this has been particularly difficult. The problem is that not many people answer the phones, and when I leave voicemails, they are rarely returned. As a result, I’ve had to make repeated calls, hoping someone will pick up, or leaving follow-up voicemails each time. It can be frustrating, but I continue to push forward, knowing that persistence is key to getting the information we need.
At U+, we advocate for lifelong learning and professional development through experiences. Describe a time where you were pushed out of your comfort zone during your placement and what you have learned from the experience.
During my shift, I use a few key applications and websites to stay organized and get things done. The Google Search Engine is probably the most used tool because I do a lot of research. It helps me find the information I need quickly, whether it’s about community centers, best practices, or specific details for the project.
I also rely on Google Docs to keep everything in order. I use it to list out tasks, instructions, and anything else I need to stay on top of. It’s a great way to track what I need to do and collaborate with my team. We can all update the documents, so I can also monitor other people’s progress.
Monday.com is another tool I use a lot. All of our project information goes on there, and I’ve set up a progress board for the team to track who’s doing what. It keeps everyone on the same page and helps make sure nothing gets missed.
Lastly, I use Slack for communication with the team. It’s where I answer questions, give feedback, and share summaries. I don’t check it constantly, but I make sure to respond when I get notifications. It’s the easiest way for us to stay connected and keep everything moving forward.
These tools help me stay organized, manage my tasks, and make sure I’m always in the loop with the team. They make the whole process a lot smoother and more efficient.
If you had to choose an animal (real or fictional) to describe your working style, what would it be and why?
If I had to choose an animal to describe my working style, it would definitely be an ant. While ants might not be traditionally considered an animal (debated between insect and animal), they really embody qualities I admire, especially their ambition. I remember when I was younger, a friend told me his favorite animal was an ant, and at first, I was really confused. But then he explained how ants live in colonies and work together as a team, which I found fascinating. Despite the fact that a colony can have anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 ants, they manage to cooperate and treat each other with respect, which speaks to incredible work ethic and teamwork.
I really admire this aspect of ants—the way they work so well together and contribute to a common goal. Whether they’re carrying food, leaves, or building their nests, they always work in unison, showing dedication and efficiency. I definitely relate to their ambition and teamwork. Like ants, I strive to be hardworking and collaborative, always focused on achieving the bigger picture while supporting the team around me.
