Aliya's November Week 2 Reflection
Reflect on the responsibilities you’ve taken on so far at U+, what project(s) are you most proud of and why?
Reflecting on my responsibilities at U+, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute in a variety of areas, each helping me develop new skills and insights. Early on, I took on tasks such as researching grant applications, organizing Gary’s list, and managing the storage unit. Each of these provided me with hands-on experience in project management, attention to detail, and understanding the logistical aspects of running efficient operations. Additionally, I worked with Monday.com to streamline team workflows, which significantly enhanced communication and tracking for our projects. As for the project I’m most proud of, it’s definitely my current work on the Nationwide Virtual Volunteering Campaign. This project excites me because of its scale and potential impact. It’s been an opportunity to not only apply my knowledge of project management tools like Monday.com but also to think strategically about how we can engage volunteers across the country in a virtual space. The planning and setup phase has allowed me to collaborate with different teams, troubleshoot challenges, and creatively solve problems, which has been a highly rewarding experience. I’m proud to be part of something that can potentially create a large, lasting impact for U+ and the communities we serve.
Think back to the goals you set for yourself near the beginning of your co-op term. What steps have you taken to achieve these goals? (if you haven’t started yet, what steps are you going to take?)
At the beginning of my co-op term, one of my key goals was to ensure that all my work and tasks were completed efficiently and accurately. To achieve this, I made a conscious effort to stay organized and focused on managing my time effectively. Whenever I encountered challenges or uncertainties, I took the initiative to ask for help and clarification, ensuring that I was on the right track and producing high-quality work.
This approach has allowed me to consistently meet deadlines and deliver results, and I plan to continue this strategy throughout my co-op. Moving forward, I aim to refine my problem-solving skills even further by seeking out additional learning opportunities and collaborating with my team to optimize the workflows I’m involved in. I believe this will not only help me complete my tasks more efficiently but also allow me to grow and contribute even more to the success of the team.
What’s an unexpected skill you developed over the work term so far and how do you envision this bringing a positive change to your career?
One unexpected skill I’ve developed over the course of my work term so far is the ability to troubleshoot and figure things out independently. While I’ve always been someone who values collaboration, I’ve learned to take more initiative in solving problems on my own. This has involved carefully reviewing instructions, watching tutorial videos, and revisiting materials multiple times to ensure I’m completing tasks correctly and to the best of my ability. It’s something I know will continue to benefit my career moving forward, as the ability to independently find solutions is a crucial skill in any professional setting. By developing this skill, I feel more confident in my ability to take on complex tasks, learn new tools, and adapt quickly in any future role.
If you could change one thing about your working environment, what would it be and how would it positively impact the quality of your work?
If I could change one thing about my working environment, it would be to eliminate noise distractions. A quieter space would allow me to concentrate more fully on my tasks and improve my focus, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of my work. I’ve found that when there are fewer distractions, I’m able to think more clearly, process information more quickly, and produce higher-quality result. Creating a quieter, more focused environment would not only help me maintain attention to detail but also enable me to better manage my time and meet deadlines more effectively