Hello to all. Over the past few weeks we have been gaining a better understanding of what interdisciplinary means and how the disciplines we have chosen can be successfully integrated to support our educational and career goals. The focus this week will be on understanding the job skills we possess, what we need to improve on, and how to go about getting the skills we need for our potential careers.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration has a website entitled careeronestop at http://www.careerinfonet.org/skills/default.aspx. This website contains information to help you explore careers, salaries and benefits in careers, education and training needed, and resources to help you find careers. Please take the Skills Profiler on the webpage. The Skills Profile is used to create a list of your skills and match them to job types that use those skills. In 1-2 paragraphs describe what you think are your strongest and weakest job skills? What can you do to develop and improve upon your weakest skills?
Many things direct us in choosing our career fields. One of these things is our personal philosophy about what we perceive or want our professional lives to be like. What types of occupations fit your interests, values, and personal philosophy? In 1-2 paragraphs discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life? How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
Gaining some hands-on experience in your field will give you a better sense of your fit and potential career while also helping you develop real-world skills. Ways to gain experience can be through volunteering, job shadowing, working, and community involvement. In 1-2 paragraphs identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career. Internships are another way to gain real-world work experience. How has an internship or externship helped your professional development?
NOTE: Please reply as three separate comments not as new posts but as replies UNDER 3 separate posts to receive credit for Cornerstone class requirement. This assignment is due by Sunday, March 11th at midnight.
Have a great week!
Nikki, Edison, Heather, Kristin, Rachael, Rikesh, Susanne and Victoria
We are on spring break the week of March 5-9. Classes resume the 12th. Shouldn't the due date reflect this? Is it supposed to be March 18th?
ReplyDeleteHi Bethany,
ReplyDeleteI have sent an email to Professor Moody to get clarification on this. Will let you know as soon as I get it.
Susanne
Hi Bethany,
ReplyDeleteProfessor Moody responded to follow you Cornerstone schedule.
Thanks,
Susanne
Thanks Susanne
Delete-Bethany Moore
Will this one count as week #5 for March 12-18?
ReplyDelete-Cristina Albert
As a student who is interested in pursuing a career path in social services, I will identify three characteristic traits I believe are essential for a social work professional and are my strongest. First, a social worker should have a high preference for diversity. This field of study will expose the student to individuals from different race, ethnicity, culture, and religious background. The study must first understand his/her personal beliefs and prejudices toward others from a different background. Second, the professional should be sensitive to others. Third, the social work should be flexible. I believe flexibility is a major component of this profession, since the majority of social workers are on call, particularly when servicing vulnerable populations. I believe the characteristic traits illustrated above are my core strengths and will improve these traits promote continuity in strength.
ReplyDeleteKerline Leonard
Having a career in social services is very demanding and I believe you are correct that diversity, sensitivity and flexibility are important. You will deal with so many people and situations that require a calm and rational person.
DeleteGood luck, Victoria Kania
Those core strengths are great qualities to have when dealing with so many types of people with different backgrounds. Along with that, I also think you need to have a great deal of PATIENCE. That and your sensitivity will empower you to push through your limits, remain professional and help people in the most difficult of situations.
Delete-Cristina Albert
K. Leonard,
DeleteI would agree that a career in social services does require characteristic traits such as: high preference for diversity, sensitivity, and flexibility. The career does expose you to different people and situations. To help someone to the full advantage, it is best to be unbiased. Setting aside your beliefs and feelings so they do not limit you. This can be hard for many people to achieve. I am glad that you have acknowledge the importance.
-Ashley Vanzant
Blog # 5
ReplyDeleteOne of my weakest areas is in taking risk or trying something new. Decisions like changing a major is a risk-taking movement, which I have to say carries a lot of doubt in my mind. I believe when it comes to taking risks, I’m more of a skeptic than a spontaneous individual who leaps with little calculation to the advantageous. But that is why I must try to improve on this characteristic trait. Being and interdisciplinarian requires the individual to take risk, calculated risk, but nonetheless risk, I took the risk and it’s working out so far. Improving area(s) of weakness requires constant self re-evaluation to track improvement or stability. I believe it’s best to identify characteristics or personality traits as early on in life as possible. The self-evaluation helps me to pinpoint my strongest traits which I think are naturally portrayed in all that I do because it is my defining traits. In essence, this tool is aiding in identifying who I am, in terms of characteristics traits which I may have be unaware. I believe my views on my personal strengths and weaknesses have been altered since enrollment in this course. I am now becoming more aware of my weaknesses and I am trying to improve those areas with self-improvement critics, and online evaluation tools.
Kerline Leonard
I believe taking a risk comes in many forms. You may be taking risks and not even realize it. For example, many people believe they could not earn a college degree and you are someone that is here taking the risk. Sometimes taking a risk isn't about being impulsive but about making a decision that carries weight. Perhaps you are realizing that you are someone that likes to plan things.
DeleteThanks,
Victoria Kania
Thanks Kerline! So do you think your strengths and weaknesses correlate with your career aspirations? Do you think your weakness with impede on your aspirations at all? If so, how will address this? I am similar to you in a weakness to take risks, but I do not think this affects my dental career aspirations, unless I choose to open my own practice. Thanks for your post.
DeleteBethany Moore
Blog 5
ReplyDeleteMy personal philosophy in life transcends to my career choice, which is “do unto others as you would like done unto you.” I strongly believe in this philosophy and will stand firm on my judgment based on this belief. Reflecting on my decision to pursue a career path in patient care is a reflection of my philosophy in life. I realized many years later after high school that what was truly important to me involved caring for those who were unable to care for themselves, regardless of reason. I pictured myself in the same situation, whether in my golden years or injury of some sort, I would expect standard of care –if not- quality care. For this reason, I adapted the philosophy of “do unto others as you would like done unto you.”
Kerline Leonard
I really like your philosophy because it sounds like you are able to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It can be very difficult to rely on others to care for you. I would hope that many people believe this and hold this trait. In a sense, Karma, where you get what you put into the world.
DeleteThanks,
Victoria Kania
Choosing to become an equine sports medicine veterinarian has definitely been guided by my personal philosophy. Most importantly, I want to be doing something I love. Of course money is a great plus, but I honestly would rather make less money and be happy. I also like the idea of being my own boss and having my own practice. I am a very organized and dedicated person, so I believe I would be able to manage my veterinary practice well. I like the flexibility of being able to choose my specializations and to a degree chose how I do my job. Also know I want to be around horses, so why not incorporate that into a job I can get paid for.
ReplyDelete-Randi Owen
Hi Randi,
DeleteI'm slightly jealous of your career path! I spent a good deal of time with horses in my teens working with 4H and Horses for the Handicapped in my hometown. A good family friend was also a jockey for many years and would let us come out to the track as kids. The equine world is such a great place to "live". Funny enough, my husband and I have been talking about finding a barn to work/ride at in our new city.
I also feel you're correct about doing something you love versus just looking for a paycheck. While being financially stable is important, working in a profession you love is a great gift to give yourself and is certainly worth all of the hard work.
Randi,
DeleteI respect that you rather do something you love and be happy, even if it means making less money. Your genuine thoughts are like fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning when seems like the rest of the world is driven by greed. For the sake of time management, being around horses and working with them is a great idea because work can be your hobby at the same time.
-Cristina Albert
One organization that has really helped me in working toward my career goals is the Pre-vet Society. I want to become a veterinarian and this club helps me in many ways. The club has guest speakers that come and talk about potential opportunities and give advice. They also go on field trips and allow members to get vet hours at neuter clinic trips. The club provides a very helpful list of ways to get animal experience on their website, which really helped me out a lot. Also the club provides a way for students with similar career goals to get together and share ideas.
ReplyDelete-Randi Owen
The Pre-Vet Society sounds like a great opportunity to be a part of. I can also see an added benefit for someone who thinks being a Vet is their ultimate goal where the hands on experience might change their mind. Sometimes when you're able to really "get" what a job entails it helps you to solidify the decision or decide that you're better suited for something else before finishing such a detailed degree program.
DeleteI feel my strongest skills are my ability to be very organized and dedicated. I actually enjoy being organized and I am organized in many areas of my personal and academic life. I am good with structure and managing my time well. I am also a very dedicated person to my chosen field as an equine veterinarian, because I am very passionate about it. I have a deep love for horses and I also really enjoy the sciences. My weakness is probably my patience, but I believe that is something I can work on and improve.
ReplyDelete-Randi Owen
The ability to be organized is a wonderful strength. It makes life and a job so much easier when you are organized. I would assume that being an equine vet would require traveling to your patients. Being organized while traveling around can be a challenge (I know from a previous job) so having the ability to do it naturally will be a benefit. As far as patience it is something most of us need to improve.
DeleteGood luck. Victoria Kania
I believe that dedication is a very much needed skill that everyone needs to possess. If you do not have any dedication for what you're doing there is no purpose for doing it, in my opinion, because you are not putting your all into it. Organization is very important also in almost all professions. It will be beneficial both to you and fellow employees in the work atmosphere. Patience is something that I personally have had to develop because of the activities I'm involved in, but I have not always had it. It's a skill that can definitely be improved upon over time.
DeleteTo help my professional development I have maintained a job all throughout my college career. This not only displays my work ethic, but my loyalty and dedication to my job. To aid in pursuing my career aspirations to be a dentist, I have participated in job shadowing with a dentist. I was able to observe consultations with patients, and routine procedures. I really enjoyed getting to observe the office dynamics, and how a dentist spends the day. The most beneficial part of the shadowing was being able to have a discussion with someone that has been in my shoes, through undergraduate courses, the dental school application process, and dental school, and is able to tell me how to best handle the stress of it all, and achieve my goals. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of shadowing for your future career.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Bethany moore
You make a great point here Bethany. Shadowing someone in your career field is an invaluable experience. At one point in my life I wanted to be a nurse, so like you, I shadowed for a night at a local hospital. I quickly learned that I definitely do not have what it takes to be a nurse! Had I not had that experience and went straight into nursing school I may have done myself and eventual patients a disservice.
DeleteAs education becomes increasingly expensive, I feel people should really investigate their options and explore if that is a career path that will work for them in the long term.
Bethany Moore,
DeleteI think your choice to job shadow with a dentist shows your dedication and character. It does allow you to see what the career is really like and lets you decide if it is what you truly want. I know I have spent time researching and volunteering at places I would like to work. I have learned things that I wouldn't in a school setting. I feel that it has been most beneficial in help guide me to the career I want.
-Ashley Vanzant
I use interdisciplinary daily in my life. Balancing schoolwork for different subjects, along with my waitressing job, and responsibilities at home I would not be able to get through a day with interdisciplinarity, and multi tasking. Although, my professional history consists of the restaurant industry, which is unrelated to my future aspirations as a dentist, there are many skills I can use from my professional experience to help me in my future dental career. I have gained a lot of experience communicating with people, and dealing with customer concerns and complaints, which I think is priceless to any job dealing with lots of different people. Dental school and internships will be the best preparation, beyond my professional history, for my future dental career.
ReplyDeleteBethany Moore
Working in the restaurant industry should be an undergrad class! No matter what career someone enters chances are it involves working with other people. By working with such a wide variety of personalities you will be better able to communicate with your future patients and office staff.
DeleteOnce I started learning more about the interdisciplinary concept I was able to see how different jobs are maybe not so different when you look at the tools used as opposed to just the job title.
Going into the field of fitness training and wellness, I need to have good communication skills, a motivator and be able to work well with others. I feel that posses these three skills very well which are important for the line of work I want to go into. As a fitness trainer and wellness coach I have to be able to communicate effectively with clients so that they understand their exercise plan. I currently work at a job where I need to communicate to others and interact with people so I have been able to work on the skill. I also need to be able to motivate people and encourage them so that can reach their fitness level. Not only do I need to be able to communicate efficiently but also be able to work well with others, because I will constantly be meeting with clients one on one. I actually believe that working with others is my strongest trait because my whole life I have had to work with others whether it is for sports, at work and even at home.
ReplyDelete-Erica Vazquez
It is so great that you have outlined three skills that you will need for this profession. I can tell you from personal experience having worked as a personal trainer that you definitely need to work well with others. It can get busy and difficult to motivate some people. You will need to motivate them without scaring them off. It is a great career and can be lots of fun. Like reading your post. Thanks.
DeleteVictoria Kania
Learning strategies may be my weakest skill which is an important skill to have when involved with coaching and fitness training. I know that everyone has different ways of learning so I’m going to have to incorporate all the different learning strategies into the way I instruct. To develop this skill I’m going to have to read up on all the different learning strategies so that I will be informed with all of them. I will also my client what is the best why they learn so that it will make it easier and I can coach them the best way they learn. But only with time will I be able to make this skill a strong one.
ReplyDelete-Erica Vazquez
Erica Vazquez,
DeleteMany people struggle with learning strategies even teachers that study and know the importance. Teaching people while working with them can be difficult because people do absorb information differently. When teaching or explaining information people tend to use the learning style they prefer, making it difficult to break away from. I am glad that you recognize your weakness and have solutions on how to improve.
- Ashley Vanzant
Learning how to motivate people is important and you can learn what you need before you start. There are some great websites on how to motivate people but there are also some great books. You should check your library or Amazon for books on motivation. One book I am familiar with is "Motivating People to be Phyically Active". Good luck finding what you need.
DeleteVictoria Kania
Becoming a fitness trainer and then a wellness coach follows under my philosophy of life. Before I knew exactly what career I wanted I always knew that I wanted to do something that would help people. I love being able to help others and by going into the fitness and wellness path I will be able to do just that. The career I want to get into is interdisciplinary, being a trainer is focusing on the human anatomy but also sociology because of the people that I’m going to be dealing with. There are many people out there that struggle with their weight and health and as a fitness trainer I will be able to help them with that. Right now I volunteer at my church every Sunday teaching a Sunday school class for younger kids and I also help out with the children’s ministry twice a month. I think that volunteering at my church helps me develop skills because not only do I take care of the kids but I also need to talk to their parents and other adults I work with.
ReplyDelete-Erica Vazquez
Working as you do on the weekends with your church is a great way to develop the skills you need. It can be difficult to speak with people especially about their children. I am sure you have encountered a child that acts up and must speak to their parents. It can be a similar feeling to speak with someone frankly about their weight because they can be sensitive.
DeleteGreat job on developing these skills.
Victoria Kania
Surprisingly, after taking the skills profiler, it did could not match me with an occupation. Actually, maybe I'm not surprised, I really do think I am meant to be self-employed. My strongest skills were in all the types of listening such as active and critical thinking. I also do well in instructing, social perceptiveness, speaking, monitoring and decision making. I know the skills that could use enhancement are time management, management of personnel resources and I could take a refresher course on Microsoft Office. Time management is a skill I'm currently working on improving just so I can accomplish all the things I need to do in a specified time.
ReplyDelete-Cristina Albert
The ability to be self employed is a gift and not everyone can do it. In this day and age of computers and the web you have a greater chance of being successful. Time management is the most important skill of being self employed because it can be easy to fall of track. My husband is self employed and it takes a rigorous schedule to stay profitable. Good luck with your business.
DeleteVictoria Kania
I have aspirations to become a dentist one day. I believe that there are three vital characteristics such as being detail-oriented, having good manual dexterity, and being passionate about oral healthcare. A great dentist has a wealth of knowledge about teeth and oral hygiene. They are able to quickly identify problems as well as their most effective treatments. Having good manual dexterity are important because a dentist should be able to perform intricate procedures with ease for extended periods of time. A passionate dentist will seek to educate the public about developing good brushing habits and are committed to helping every patient have a healthy mouth. These important characteritics are also strengths that have already somewhat developed. They can only improve over time through knowledge and experience. My only three weakness as of right now are my lack of patience, the need to be a perfectionist, and the inability to say no; I tend to be too nice.
ReplyDeleteMy philosophy on Dentistry is that you are responsible for your own oral healthcare, no one else is. Dentistry, as well as any and all natural/mechanical sciences, has validity. As the owner and custodian of your body, your job is to research the best way to enhance its survival while fully utilizing these natural/mechanical sciences. Naturally, the items we use to restore the teeth back towards optimum health will never be as perfect as they were. This is why it is very important for us to keep up with our teeth. A Floss every night will keep away the mouth termites!
Delete-Shatori Brockington
The field of dentistry is a respectable career and many people are in need. It sounds like you have a great passion for this career. I know that the physical requirements can be tough but you learn how to deal with it. It sounds like you might have a passion for teaching people how to care properly for their teeth. Good luck with your career.
DeleteVictoria Kania
Th two professional clubs that I believe are the most helpful for my career are PPMS (Pre-professional medical society) and PRE ASDA (American Student Dental Association). I'am a memeber of both of these clubs, and they provide me with a vast amount of opportunities. With PPMS I get to visit real dentist in the Orlando area, and experience a typical day with them. I have also had the chance to make teeth impressions; which was a really AWESOME experience. With PRE ASDA I've been given the opportunity to shadaw, visit different dental schools, learn how to apply to dental school, how to prepare for the DAT, how to set up my personal statement, and sooo much more. Both of these clubs have been preparing me for my transition to Dental school. I'm a proud member, and Im thankful to have these clubs offered at my school.
ReplyDelete-Shatori Brockington
I feel like my strongest skills are effectively communicating with people, actively listening, and science. These three skills are necessary for being a Pediatrician because they have to be able to communicate with the children, which at times can be a very difficult task. They also have to listen to them and decide what, if anything, is wrong with the child. That too can be difficult at times, depending on the child's age. Science, of course, is a big a skill that is needed for being a Pediatrician to be able to diagnose and treat patients. I feel like these 3 are my strongest because I have paid the most attention to them throughout my life.
ReplyDeleteSome skills that I could improve on are probably critical thinking and decision making. Critical thinking would be important because sometimes the diagnosis is not right in front of you. It requires some investigating and a little bit of thinking outside the box. Decision making is big as a doctor and at times I can be a bit indecisive. Doctors have to be great decision makers because they have others lives in their hands. Even more so with children because the doctor knows what is best for them more than their parents do. I need to work on these throughout college and be able to add them to my strengths before I graduate.
Hello SpayneA:
DeleteAnother important aspect of communication is hearing and seeing what is not being told to you or not what it appears to be. This is know as one's "gut" feeling or "sixth sense". Remember that there are times when this can be just as real or powerful as a parent telling you something or a child.
Good luck in all of your endeavors. I think that is a wonderful choice of careers and is a very much needed career field for today and the future.
Susanne