Erin's October Week 3 Reflection
Describe your main tasks this week. How did you approach the task? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?
My main tasks this week include a team presentation and continue Eventbrite program uploads. These tasks are one of the most important ones yet as the presentation were to be done in a team and to be presented in front of everyone in the afternoon shift. As to Eventbrite, it is a critical platform to grow U+ and YRES’s participants in their programs. Therefore, I approached the two tasks with precise check on information, ensure that every part is accurate, and perform tasks professionally. I accomplished the skills of public speaking, collaboration, initiative, and time management. Through these tasks, I am able to reach out of my comfort zone and manage tasks that I do not often get a chance to. I learned a lot more about certain new platforms and am able to problem solve myself in order to finish difficult tasks on time.
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?
Strategies I recommend for staying on track is to always have a to-do list or meeting schedule next to your working area. It is always hard to maintain focus when facing a screen at all times but when having a list on what to do and the due dates for each, it would help a lot on organization and completing tasks on time. Phone is also another huge distraction. I recommend turning it to “do not disturb” so there won’t be any excuse for getting distracted for work. Yet, most of the time, it is on you to control your time wisely and complete the tasks required. Rather than wasting shift time to wander and getting distracted from work, it is better to finish it productively during that time, so you don’t fall behind!
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?
I measure success in the workplace not just by receiving compliments, but also the opportunity to obtain new knowledge and skills. It is truly an accomplishment to me whenever I get to publish my work or successfully have customers purchase tickets for programs I uploaded. It is from the effort that I put into the work that resulted in success. Of course, expectations and feedback from supervisors and coworkers mean a lot as well! I have received a lot of “good work”, “well done”, and my work set as an example throughout my co-op weeks, and these small encouragement meant so much to me knowing that my work paid off! Therefore, by inserting effort and thoughts into work, something will for sure come out of it!
What soft/hard skills do you feel most confident in, and where do you still need improvement?
Some soft skills I personally feel confident in are team working, productivity, and organization. These skills allow me to perform well in the workforce and adapt to U+’s working pace and standards. I feel more and more confident as I get to practice these skills more often during my shifts! As for hard skills, I have developed and improved in marketing and analytical skills. Since I came in with little knowledge about the operations of the marketing world, I improved a lot through discussing with others, learning from other’s work, and from that build on these skills which I believe still needs improvement.