SELF-AWARENESS AND REFLECTION
Please complete all 6 sections below by typing in your answers into this word document. Each section is worth 5pts. The assignment is worth 30pts total. Incomplete answers will receive partial credit.
- Learning Style: Complete the online assessment to learn about your preferred learning style and answer the questions below.
- To take the quiz: http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=questionnaire(Links to an external site.)
- What are your top 2 preferred learning styles?
Kinesthetic and aural
- Based on your learning style, what study habits, skills, or strategies will you use during your time at Year Up?
Being multimodal, I will have to adopt various study strategies, skills as well as habits. Some of the visual strategies that I will adopt will include eliminating obstructions by sitting in front of the class, using textbooks for organization, and taking detailed notes in order to remember significant information. Apart from that, I will also adopt auditory strategies such as listening actively and carefully, attending tutorials and discussions, and always attending class. Moreover, for kinesthetic strategies, I will study in short blocks, I will try as much as possible to incorporate multimedia as well as jointing down the keywords and drawing charts or pictures.
- Core Values: Use the online resource below to discover your core values and answer the reflection questions.
- Online Resource 1: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_85.htm(Links to an external site.)
- Online Resource 2: https://scottjeffrey.com/personal-core-values/(Links to an external site.)
- Please list your top 3-5 core values. For each value, please write a few sentences to explain why this is a value of yours
Integrity is the value that I hold close to me. I am an individual who demonstrates moral and ethical principles at all times. I always try my best to do the right thing even when no one is looking. Apart from that, I am a considerate person, and I do not permit my selfish needs to compromise the course of my actions.
Perseverance was another core value of mine. When I moved to the US a few years ago, there were many things that were new to me and required quick adjustment. One of them being school. The school system in Kenya was extremely different than the US system. The teaching style and expectations were extremely different. I was expected to submit most assignments electronically, which I had never done in the past. This was the biggest learning curve for me. My first quarter was challenging, and I made many mistakes, however, with the help of my classmates and teachers, I was determined to get through this obstacle no matter how long it took me.
Respect was another core element of mine. Being respectful begins with being considerate about the feelings of others. It also means listening to what others have to say before expressing your thoughts. There are times when I do not agree with someone else’s point of view. However, it is important that I treat them with courtesy, regardless of how I feel about their opinion. I always treat others the way I wanted to be treated.
- How do your core values currently impact your life?
The values above have positively impacted my life in various ways. I am someone who respects and treats everyone the same. I have been able to get the same amount of respect back. My determination, curiosity, and eagerness to learn have allowed me to keep pushing even at times of adversity.
- How do your core values shape our choices and vision for your future?
The value of integrity involves the principal of honesty and ethics. Being honest will help me build healthy relationships with my classmates, co-workers, managers, etc. I have gone through many challenges in my life and have preserved through them all. Each challenge has brought different viewpoints and has made me into a stronger person. Being respectful to others will help reduce stress and improve communication between anyone I cross paths with in my future.
- Personality Traits: Complete the online assessment to learn about your personality and answer the questions below.
- To take the quiz: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test (Links to an external site.)
- What was the personality profile or name that the assessment gave you?
An advocate
- Please list 3 things that really resonated with you or felt true about the personality type.
I have the capability of taking concrete steps to realize my goals as well as making a long-lasting effect. Apart from that, I fight for the ideas I believe in. Moreover, I always find it easy to make connections with those around me.
Please list 2-3 things that you are unsure about or disagree with.
I disagree that I make decisions based more on feelings than on thinking.
I am unsure if at all, my tactics are more judging than prospecting.
- What surprised you most? Or was it most interesting?
What surprised me most is my nature, which, according to the test, is mostly based on my feelings.
- What is the biggest / best thing you learned from this experience?
What I have learned from the experience is that the career I have in mind does not correspond with my personality traits.
- Strengths: Use the online resource below to learn about a variety of strength you may possess and answer the question.
- Online Resource: https://www.strengthsquest.com/193541/themes-full-description.aspx(Links to an external site.)
- Look through the strengths listed in the online resource. Please list the top 5 strength types that you possess. For each strength, please put into your own words, why this is true for you.
- Communication- I express myself lucidly, and this makes me a good communicator. I also patiently listen to others before giving my response.
- Analytical- I possess the capability to gather and analyze information, solve problems, and decision-making.
- Consistency – I am consistent since I always behave in the same manner, and I attain the same level of success when doing something.
- Discipline- What makes me disciplined is that I clearly define my goals, I am committed, and I always work at developing habits.
- Focus – What makes me a focused person is that I do not procrastinate, I do not seek other people’s validation, and I do not entertain disorganization.
- What surprised you most about this exercise? Or was it most interesting?
What interested me about the exercise is that I can relate with most of the listed strengths.
- What is the biggest / best thing you learned from this experience?
I learned is that to be successful in life, and in my career, I must combine various strengths.
- Growth Areas: Please answer the questions below.
- Please list 3 growth areas you would like to work on during your time at Year Up?
I would love to work on my time management, listening, and interpersonal communication.
- For each growth area, please describe 2 things you can TAKE ACTION on to make improvements in the next month.
To improve on my time management, I will have a planner that lists all the things I need to get done and provide a time frame for each activity. To improve listening skills, I will ask questions and remember past details. I will also eliminate any distractions that may limit my attentiveness, such as a cell phone. Apart from that, I will learn to listen actively and maintain active contact in order to improve my interpersonal communication.
- Goals: Please answer the questions below.
- Why did you join the Year Up program? What motivates and inspires you to complete this program even when it will get tough?!
I joined Year Up mainly because I want to build a professional career in the IT industry. I do not have any experience in this field, which is why I am challenging myself to not only learn new skills but to apply them in the workforce. I believe Year UP is the best place that will highlight both my strengths and weaknesses. My biggest motivation is my hunger for education and willingness to better myself. I know that joining Year Up is going to challenge, but I am willing to do what it takes to get to the other side.
- Please list 3 specific long term goals you have for yourself and want to accomplish in the next five years.
- Start my own business.
- Secure as well as maintain a good credit record
- Buy my own property