Aryan October Week 3 Reflection
Describe your main tasks this week. How did you approach the task? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?
This week, I focused on several tasks including budget research, selecting photos for a volunteer fair, and completing reflection surveys. I approached all tasks with an open mind, ready to succeed and accomplish goals. During the budget research task, I was able to research and learn about the costs of different products and find the products that were the most accessible. Me and the rest of the accounting team were able to complete the full spreadsheet. Another task I accomplished this week was selecting high quality photos from the YRES Volunteer fair. I maintained a positive attitude and selected a good number of photos to be used.
What strategies do you have for staying on track during work and avoiding distractions when working in a virtual environment? What advice do you have for future co-ops?
Staying on track in a virtual environment can be challenging, but there are many effective strategies that I use in order to minimize distractions and increase productivity. One major strategy that I use is having a dedicated workspace. I have an office at my house which I use strictly for work, which helps create a mental boundary from any distractions. I also have a separate desktop with my work account which I use during work hours. Some advice for a future co-op student is to stay organized by having all necessary apps downloaded and tabs necessary for work. Also, communication is important, especially when working virtually. Always reply on time and ask questions.
How do you measure success in the workplace? What are some standards you have set and feedback you’ve gotten from teachers, supervisors, and coworkers that help guide you?
In my opinion, success in the workplace can be measured by the achievement of specific goals. When I set clear, attainable goals and manage to accomplish them, it gives me a sense of direction. For example, I wanted to finish a photo selection task by the end of my shift and I did, which made me feel successful. One standard of mine is that I will always complete a task on time, and I will work hard. I have heard a lot of feedback on the importance of communication and asking for help and clarification. This feedback has made me more confident to seek out help when I need it.
What soft/hard skills do you feel most confident in, and where do you still need improvement?
I feel most confident in my independent work and problem-solving skills. I am able to work without any distractions and am able to brainstorm many ideas to solve any problems. I believe I need a little bit more improvement in my collaboration skills, because sometimes I feel intimidated to share my ideas with others. I am confident in my communication skills, but I do think they can improve in a work environment like U+.