Ocean's October Week 2 Reflection
What were your initial expectations coming to work at U+/YRES, and how have they evolved after your first couple weeks on the job?
At first, I was quite uncertain and a bit worried about how the environment would be like– whether it would be the peers I worked with, or if I would be caught up in so much work. Now that I have been at U+ Education for a couple of weeks now, I can confirm that I am much more confident and comfortable where I work. Altogether, the workers and Co-op students I am with are friendly and appreciative. As well, all the work I am given feels balanced and just right; there is never too many, or too short. Overall, I have been able to smoothly and appreciate my stay at U+ Education!
What is one strategy that you use to manage co-op and academic work? What’s something that U+ does well in helping you in maintaining that balance?
I always have a calendar/schedule that I use to keep track of work and projects. This is useful for both my academic work at school, and my tasks assigned at U+ Education. Since I work well with visuals, having a calendar is super beneficial to visualizing the work I need to balance. Here at U+ Education, my employers and staff do a great job at notifying me with stuff, such as work, meetings, and et cetera. Everything becomes clear and neatly organized, and I know where to head whenever I am confused. This has helped me maintain a good balance with my schoolwork and Co-op work.
One of the key parts of success in a workplace is setting goals. No matter the magnitude or length, goal-setting helps you recognize what you want to accomplish in any professional work setting. What are some things you want to achieve during your co-op at U+?
My main goal in Co-op is to be a hardworking individual that can provide a positive impact to your place at U+ Education. I want to be able to demonstrate my skills and traits to benefit your company, while understanding the workplace to strengthen my work. This goal helps me stay motivated and on-task, especially since I am working at home. I always make sure to encourage myself so I can meet my goal.
What interactions or collaborations with colleagues or supervisors stood out to you this week? How did these interactions enhance your understanding of the workplace and the industry?
Mainly throughout this week, I met with Jessica Zou who is a Project Coordinator, and Kevin Lin directed me to her for my next tasks. She is a very kind worker who worked with me to finish a slide deck relating to the MFRC Toastmasters for Seniors. By working with her, it helped me understand that there are many kind people here at U+ Education who are willing to help and take on tasks. This also encourages me to do my best and enhance my skills in the workplace.