Christina's Reflection
Keywords:
During these past 2 months, what were your major duties and how did they relate to your academic studies?
The past two months have been very fulfilling, granting me many opportunities and entrusting me with various responsibilities. A large part of my duties involved teaching, consisting of private French lessons, French and Science group lessons, or in-person workshops for LEGO Robotics. Through these experiences, I have utilized numerous skills fostered through my academic studies. My existing knowledge in science and French – studied through my double major in Health Studies and Biology, as well as with French Immersion throughout my adolescence – played significant roles in helping me succeed as a teacher. I was able to excel in my role by developing engaging lessons, leading interactive classes, and answering questions with confidence. These factors helped make my classes more personalized and intriguing, encouraging discussions and participation.
Another major project I was entrusted to lead involved a promotional strategy for our summer camp. I was honoured to have been given this responsibility and ensured to maintain proactive communication, productively exhibiting initiative and leading a large team. Although this task did not have a direct relationship with my science background, I was able to transfer critical skills developed from past projects. Soft skills such as collaboration and problem-solving have enabled me to effectively coordinate team members and tackle challenges with informed decisions. As this project concludes, it has allowed me to broaden and solidify my skill set, equipping me with valuable expertise that will benefit my future endeavors.
In May you were asked to envision how U+ would contribute to your growth. How has your time here contributed to your personal and professional development? Were there any unexpected challenges or benefits?
My time at U+ has been nothing but supportive towards achieving my goals. Honing my leadership skills was a significant goal I shared with my supervisor, and thus am immensely grateful for all the opportunities I was provided. Ranging from leading a company-wide promotional strategy to undertaking the role of a campsite leader during summer camp, I have been provided with various responsibilities to practice my leadership skills. Alongside my professional development, I have also noticed improvements in my personal development. As I progress in my work term, I have gained more confidence in myself and my work output. I feel secure in my abilities and approach my supervisor seeking high-demand tasks, demonstrating initiative and curiosity. This would not have been possible without the constant support and encouragement of U+’s staff! I have encountered various challenges this month, especially as the leader of a large promotional strategy, but was able to overcome all obstacles with the unwavering assistance and collaboration of my team members <3
Describe 2-3 projects from your co-op that you’re particularly proud of, and how they have helped you grow academically and/or professionally?
Out of all my tasks, I am incredibly proud of a small, ongoing project. Every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 7:30 am, I teach beginner-level French to two young girls for an hour. Despite this task being relatively minor, it brings me substantial joy and satisfaction. When I first took over these lessons, I was nervous that I would not be able to wake up so early and bring an engaging energy to the class. Nevertheless, I tried my best to maintain an enthusiastic smile and encouraging phrases. Before I knew it, I noticed immense improvements within both girls’ academics and personalities, evoking an overwhelming sense of happiness. This satisfaction and sense of pride is what energizes me for classes and drives me to continue teaching.
I am also particularly proud of my major task; taking over the LEGO Robotics program and developing its future curriculum. My co-op has brought upon many new experiences, with this project introducing me to the wonders of programming – a topic I would not have typically explored in my studies. The extensive responsibilities of taking over the program and learning new skills (such as programming with Scratch) have helped me grow professionally AND academically.
Please nominate someone who deserves the employee of the month award and explain why briefly. You can nominate more than one person.
I nominate Megan (again!) as she has been a fundamental and significant asset towards the team. This month has been a rollercoaster for our whole team and our success would not have been possible without Megan’s perseverance and consistent updates. As the holder of our company phone, she developed a strong telephone presence and responded professionally to numerous inquiries – some of which were follow-ups regarding my promotional strategy. We worked together to solve any conflicts that arose and she dedicated plenty of time to help out wherever possible, allowing us to function efficiently and cohesively together.
Share photos of fond memories you made while at work.
