Professional Opportunities and Job Skills
Hi Cornerstone students welcome to week 5, wow, we are more than halfway, it is flying by ;) This week we are discussing professional opportunities and job skills.
Upon contemplating my philosophy in regards to my professional life and how I have conducted myself over the course of the last 20 or so years of employment along with my odd jobs and employment as a teen I can say that my philosophy would be one of hard work pays off. I have always performed any task I undertake to the best of my ability. I feel that when performing work or tasks that I want to be represented in a way that is positive and said work or tasks are associated with as being performed by someone who cares about what they do. I have also always felt that I do not want to just have a “job” I wanted to have a career and I want it to be something I like to do, not “have” to do.
Take some time to address these questions and then look into the activities we have planned for you.
How have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
What has been your professional history?
What are your strongest and weakest job skills?
What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
How have your career goals altered?
UCF Link to gain insight on internships
http://www.explearning.ucf.edu/categories/Overview/Options_and_Definitions/94_91.aspx
Explore this interns site and pick one or two areas that may interest you or be helpful for you to gain knowledge to ward your future career goals.
Maybe you should join the circus, here are some fun tests and activities to determine what role would fit you best.
http://www.ringling.com/TopLanding.aspx?id=11616
Explore the sites and have fun with them you may learn something about yourself ;)
Free career test
http://www.free-career-test.com/Inventory/items.aspx?guid={79f5fa5f-9b60-4f68-840b-ff2f2469570f}&page=1&utid=5269368
After you sign in and create a user name and password just answer the questions as indicated, upon completion you will be sent to an advertisement, just click not interested and then you will be sent to your results page. There may be a few more advertisements come up, just click continue with report . You do not have to purchase anything, although it will ask, there is no need. Just gain some insight as to what your personality says about what career choices you would be better suited for. Being great at what you do can be very satisfying. Yet many people find themselves working in a career where their natural talents go to waste. For one reason or another, there's a mismatch between their Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) and their job duties.
In at least 2-3 sentences explain how your career choices and your personality either match or do not match.
Please respond to at least 1other student (more is better to get a dialogue going) and as always respond as a reply not a new post and use first and last name at the end of your post.
Feel free to visit this link to explore other various forms of career and personality tests:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/careertests/Career_Tests.htm
Thank you,
Katina Bolton
This test confirmed for me what I already knew about myself. I like the healthcare field and want to work helping others preferably directly. I think that the test was accurate in assessing my abilities and likes and dislikes as far as careers and work environment. I found this to be helpful in determining other areas which I may be interested in exploring.I would say that this test definitely matches with my personal choices.
ReplyDeleteI thought the ringling brothers website was a lot of fun and I really liked the animal care section and the facts and history of their elephants. I also like animals but think that working with people would be my first choice but working with animals would be great too!
What I really want is to be able to work in the UK and live there as well. My fiance lives there and I would like to be able to work as well as build a life there with him.
Lorri Cowart
Hi Lori,
DeleteI think it's great that you know what you want and what path you'd like to pursue. The healthcare industry is a great choice, because there will always be a need for it. There won't always be a need for certain luxuries or services. But everyone needs healthchare to some degree at some point in their life.
Hey, I think it is good that you were not surprised by the outcome of the career path test. It means you have been chasing what you are good at and enjoy. Moving to the UK and working there sounds exciting, I hope you will be able to do that. Best of luck!
DeleteCory Stoekel
Lorri,
DeleteI am happy that your test confirmed what your thoughts already were. I too am in healthcare and I love helping people. I hope things work out with the UK, that would be so interesting to travel and experience different places and cultures. My brother-in-law and his wife are in the Air Force and have lived in The Azores Islands which is part of Portugal, they have lived in Hawaii, Alaska and now they are in Germany.
Good luck to you and your future marriage ;)
Katina Bolton
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are able to identify the healthcare field as something that you enjoy doing. Helping people in this field can be very rewarding for the right person. I used to work in healthcare and enjoyed it to a certain point, then it became obvious to me that I was not cut out for that line of work to become a career. I, like Katina, really wanted not just a job, but a career that I would look forward to going to everyday. I have that now and I am so grateful for it. I am also grateful to people like you in the healthcare industry that belong there because you love it. You make it a better experince for us. :)
Nicole Williams
Nicole,
DeleteI used to be a LPN in another life so I kind of already knew that I want to do something medically related. I loved being a nurse and found it to be the most rewarding experience and met lots of wonderful people along the way.
When I was in LPN school we had to join the HOSA organization. As part of that organization we were asked to participate in local, state, and national competitions. I placed first in the Orlando area for medical terminology, 2nd in the state of Florida for medical terminology and 6th in the nation for medical terminology. Now granted that was in 1986 and all but it is still one of the things I really enjoy. So I am hoping that in some way I can incorporate that into my future career.
My husband died of cancer and so did my grandfather so the medical field has always been where I wanted to belong and excel. I am hoping that this IDS degree will take me in that direction and help me focus my talents and abilities on courses that will be useful in that respect once I have finished my education.
Lorri Cowart
How have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
ReplyDeleteEveryday I have to balance using my knowledge of medicine, working on a personal level with patients, and making decisions for a small business. Even things as simple as ordering supplies I take into consideration what is best for the patient and the business.
What has been your professional history?
I have been in the medical field for eight years as a x-ray tech/ medical assistant. I have worked in an emergency walk-in clinic, dermatology, geriatric and podiatric offices. My longest tenure is my current position as an office manager/MA/x-ray tech in a podiatry office.
What are your strongest and weakest job skills?
My strongest job skills would be my focus and attention to detail. I've also been told I am good at multi-tasking. My weakest job skill is easily my communication. I have trouble asking for help, and letting others know what is going on.
What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
I have to let my guard down and allow others to help me. In a lot of the offices I have worked in and in this one currently, the staff is very small. I have been accustomed to solving problems myself. My future goal is to work in a hospital where communication will be much more necessary. I can seek advice from other nurses, and make an effort to communicate and use any tips I may receive.
Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
The National Student Nurses Association (www.nsna.org)
Florida Nurses Association (www.floridanurse.org)
How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
At 18 I was young, shy and scared. My externship helped to bring me out of my shell and become more comfortable with patients. It's one thing to stick a practice dummy or fellow student with a needle, a real patient who is just as scared as you is completely different. Having a professional guide you in real world experience was a great stepping stone and a huge advantage in my career.
Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
My philosophy is a bit cliche and taken from the movie Patch Adams, but it really is the way I feel at work. You're not just treating the symptoms, but the person. I take pride in making a personal connection with patients in a short time and putting them at ease.
How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
I think this philosophy is a bit interdisciplinary because I look at medicine beyond solving the problem. I add the psychological approach to my work. I could just walk in stick a patient with a needle, or I could make them comfortable and let them know why I'm doing this.
How have your career goals altered?
In high school I thought that being a physician was the way I wanted to go. After being in the field I have learned that I like people too much. I enjoy the one on one with patients, and have figured out that nursing is more my speed. This class actually has helped put things into perspective for me, and I am very excited to finish this degree and pursue my future goals.
After taking the career test I am positive I am on the right path. As I thought it would, the Holland test list me as investigative and social. I also scored very high in health science areas.
Steven Bloom
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat interesting when you talked about how scared you were with needles and having to inject someone who is just as scared as you were. Thats the best way to get over your fears is to face is head on and conquer it. And yes communication is so important in your career, relationships, friendships and about everything you do with people. Not to many people that I know have mastered communication, but it helps to work at it daily.
DeleteCory Stoekel
Wow your post really interested me! You are so genuine and put your all into what you do. I can tell by the way you describe things and talk about what you believe in. You are definitely a great fit for the medical field. It is truly your calling! In a lot of my science classes I talk to other students about what they want to do as a career. A lot of them only think that all they need to have is their book smarts and that will carry them through. However a good doctor, or nurse, remembers that they are dealing with real people who have emotions and feelings and are from all different backgrounds and like you said aren't just "treating the symptoms". I really agree with your philosophy and and respect a lot of your thoughts! I plan on putting into practice these types of values in my own dental practice someday.
Delete-Charlotte Haught
Oy Vay!
DeleteI appreciate your outlook toward your patients! It's important to treat them as more than just a way to make payroll. I understand what you said about communication... sometimes it is just easier to do something yourself than ask for help.
Heather Coleman
Steve,
DeleteI love Patch Adams, and I agree totally. I have worked in hospitals and have been a patient a time or two as well and it is very important to never forget that patients are people and so are the family members. It is great that you know what you want to do and that you have such a great philosophy. I think many doctors forget why they became doctors after a while, especially when the insurance companies tie their hands so often as to what treatments they are allowed to give. It becomes about money and whether or not payment can be made. I feel that money should not be a factor when it comes to saving a life.
Good luck with your future endeavors, I feel you will do great.
Katina Bolton
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
ReplyDeleteMy job requires me to pull from many different areas to truly be successful at it. I have to manage my time closely while providing a comfortable and warm experience for the patient. I also need to be a details person while managing a 35+ personal patient load.
What has been your professional history?
I went to school many years ago and had many small jobs. I stumbled upon a career in Orthodontics through my husband's uncle. It's a wonderful field! I just always wanted a little more. Sadly, I am as high as I can go without going to dental school.
What are your strongest and weakest job skills?
I am excellent with details. I am very observative, reliable, and have a strong work ethic. I perform my job as if it's my name on the front door instead of someone else's. I am not so good with criticism. I always take responsibility for my actions but I will beat myself up when I fail. I also am very territorial. I am always accused of valiantly falling on my own sword, so I think I would fail miserably at a competitive work environment.
What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
I try to remind myself not to take something personally when someone criticizes me. I also try to remind myself that another perspective is valuable. I am alot better than I was when I was younger but still have lots of room for improvement.
Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
ASHA- American Speech Language Hearing Assoc.
CEC- Council for Exceptional Children
How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
I have never interned nor externed but I imagine it would be helpful in solidifying a decision made about a career choice.
Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
I know I will be an asset to any company and any field that I enter into. I believe it's imperative to be happy at whatever I end up doing. I am confident I will find a position that pulls together all of my previous experience and studies.
How have your career goals altered?
Three years ago I was aiming for a Master's in Communication Disorders. While I would love to complete that goal, it won't be possible at UCF. I am considering different fields, but am having a hard time finding one that is worth the time and financial investment.
After taking the career test, I know I am heading in the right direction. I am strong in writing and education. My weaker areas were Science and Math.
Heather Coleman
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAlthough only 23 years old I have had many different jobs. I started working with my dad when I was about 12 for his landscaping business. When I moved out to go to college I worked at a fitness center for a country club in Gainesville. That was an interesting job where I was able to incorporate many different areas of study into my job. I had to be sociable, helpful, informative, a leader, a good organizer, and many different tasks with that job. When I moved to Orlando I did a car ash, worked for Greenway Ford and now Im a Valet for Pointe Orlando. With working valet I also use my interdisciplinary skills often because it more than just driving cars, we have to deal with tourists, major clients, very expensive cars, money, maintain organization, safety, and cater to our customers. My strength in any job is organization and making sure the job is done right. My weakness in a job is persuading people and advising people. Sometimes I dont give my opinion on things because I not confident with myself in my opinions. I need to work on being more confident with myself and my opinions. I need to talk more with people and do more listening so I can support my opinions with others and be confident with what I suggest.
ReplyDeleteThe American Physical Therapy Association and Florida Physical Therapy Association would be a beneficial organization for me to join and follow. An internship with my career path in mind would allow me to gain hands on experience with the career I want to do. It would allow me to gain a sense of my daily job and what I can expect to accomplish in my life. An internship would also look good on my resume and allow schools to realize how serious I am about y career and my choices along the way. My personal Philosophy is to help as many people as possible when they are in need and guide them through recovery. I want to see positive results with what I advise them to do and see progress along the way. I want to join the APTA and be an active member so I can learn and talk with others with the same ideas. I believe my philosophy is interdisciplinary because In order to see progress in patients you have to work with them, understand them, understand what is wrong with them, formulate a solution, and be able to carry out the solution with them. I originally wanted to be an orthodontist and help children and adults be happy with their smile and confident with their appearance. I switched over to Physical Therapy because I want to help people more with their health and well being. I think this was a great switch for me and am excited to get started in my career.
After taking the career test it showed that I am geared toward Health service and helping others. I agreed with the results and really enjoy helping others and being there for people when they need help. I also scored high on systemic which means I like routine but I also like challenges along the way. The routine patients are going to come in and sometimes I am going to get those who I really have to work hard with to see results. I am up for the challenge! This was an effective test because it did show my strengths and my weaknesses with will allow me to work on my weaknesses and keep up my strengths.
Cory Stoekel
I didn't even think of checking out my low scores and consider them as my weaknesses. Your right the test could definitely help me work on my weaknesses and see what areas they are in. I've actually been trying to think of some of my weaknesses because I'm applying to dental school this semester and during interviews they are going to ask me one of my weaknesses and how I've worked on it. So this is a great start to think about what I could say during that conversation!
DeleteI am up for the challenge too! :)
-Charlotte Haught
Cory,
DeleteI think you sound wise beyond your 23 years. It seems as though you had to learn responsibility at a young age and that is definitely beneficial today I think. There are so many young people who are not responsible and have no real goals in mind that it makes me sad sometimes. I think that you are definitely setting an example for other young people. I think it's awesome that you know that you want to help people in life too. It's a great thing to be able to help others and know that you have bettered their lives in some small way. Small steps often lead to greater things in life as I have found out in the last few years myself.
Even if you don't feel confident in your thoughts and ideas, if you know they are right and true than put that forth when you talk to people. By exuding confidence yourself, you will make them feel confident that you DO know what you are talking about and they will take that from what they hear when you speak. It's hard to do sometimes I know but if you exude confidence people seem to pick up on that. I think you sound very confident in yourself and what you want to do in your life and use that feeling when you approach other subjects and just think "I know this and I can do this" and I am sure you will succeed.
Physical therapy is so very important in helping others heal and get better both physically and mentally. I remember when I worked in the hospital when I was an LPN, many patients looked forward to it because they always seem to feel better afterward both inside and out! I think that you will do well no matter what avenue you choose for your career. I wish you all the best!!!!
Lorri Cowart
Cory,
DeleteI think it's great that you are in tune with your weaknesses and how to overcome them! I have a 23 year old brother that is over confident and cocky. I always thought it was the age but it's obviously just him! (To be honest, I was like that too and didn't realize that I did not know everything until my 30's) You are way ahead of the game. :)
Heather Coleman
Cory,
DeleteI liked your post. I too have worked most of my life. I was 12 when I started refereeing soccer games and have not spent more than a week or two without a job since. At 26 I feel confident in knowing my strengths and weaknesses. It wasn't until reading your post though that I addressed my weaknesses as described by the test. I will say that there were some weaknesses that I never considered. Thanks for drawing it to my attention.
Steven Bloom
I've always wanted to take a test that would match my personality with a career field. I think the test hit me right on the dot. My high scores in areas where I'd fit best in the workplace were Social (Helpers), Realistic (Doers), and Attentive (Servers). I am interested in giving people advice, helping them stay physically healthy, and working directly with people. I enjoy working with my hands and am mechanically-inclined. An interesting description under Attentive (Servers) that I found described me very well was that "They are happy in jobs requiring sociability, politeness, patience and a happy disposition".
ReplyDeleteMy areas of high interest were health service and Assertive. I think Assertive stems a lot from my interest in leadership and practicing leadership skills in problem solving situations.
I think all of the test results would make me eligible for a career in the dental field. It requires working with your hands, having the ability to be assertive over your employees, and giving advice and working directly with patients.
-Charlotte Haught
Charlotte-
DeleteI really identified with what you said about identifying the weaknesses in the assessment. To be honest, I looked at the top 3 strengths and dismissed the weaknesses without a thought. After what you said I looked at them again. My lowest score was in the sales area which makes perfect sense considering I tried my hand at sales and starved! HaHa!!
Heather Coleman
Charlotte,
DeleteI too have been fixated on tests that may give me some secret, unkown career that I may have never considered. This mainly stems from my inability to pick a career path and stick with it. I guess I had always hoped for an easy way out. However, they all seem to say the same thing, suck it up. Like you these test tell me that I'm social and investigative. I never considered this to be special, until now. I never thought that enjoying a career where I get to interact with people would be an advantage. Good luck in your career path.
Steven Bloom
Whenever I have taken the career tests I have valued the responses mostly for entertainment purposes. My results have been consistent since I was in high school. The problem with this is that I have always scored highest in the art areas. I have never explored a career in arts since I know that in today's world you must be very artistically talented and extremely passionate to make it anywhere. It almost feels like a disappointment to get those results time after time. I know I am a creative person but rather than pursue arts as a career I frequent museums to enjoy the artwork there and paint on my own for personal enjoyment.
DeleteMary Cooley
I tried using the site. It did not work for me because I could not get a guest log in at the time of this writing. After exploring the website, I will call them in the morning to get more information, I could see how this could be helpful to get a job. I got celebrated clowning and awesome aerialism in the circus test. I completely agree. I found those exercises entertaining and informative. I am looking forward to make a call for the internship opputunity. I already put a reminder in my iPhone.
ReplyDeleteMahindra Donald Rajkumar
I really did not like the site, it was annoying trying to make a resume I did not want too, but no big deal. After taking the long test, I found that I mostly am in the administrative interest profile. It was 85, the highest was teaching social service, which was 95, which makes sense because I am studying to become a teacher.
ReplyDeleteRealistic (Doers)
Investigative (Thinkers)
Artistic (Creators)
Social (Helpers)
Enterprising (Persuaders)
Conventional (Organizers)
T - Attentive - (Servers)
I found it funny that I want high paying jobs, but my work environment must be relaxed. After looking at the job it suggests for me, the only one that I found somewhat interesting was in the medical field. It said that I could be medical operator, it manager, or an Dean at a college. I would not ,mind any of those jobs, and I can see how my personally fits in with all of those jobs.
Mahindra Donald Rajkumar
After doing some more research on the Jobs, I found that the it manager might be the best for me. I love computers, and I love the new gadgets. I know that I will always be into the subject because of what i am going to 'play' with for my job. I am actually beginning to learn how to write software for iPhones, I know that is going to be the 'future' of portable computering just because it is simplistic to convey to the masses. But I know that becomming a teacher is the best option for me right now.
ReplyDeleteMahindra Donald Rajkumar
How have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
ReplyDeleteI am a Senior Administrative Assistant for Universal Orlando. I support the Art and Design as well as the Technical Entertainment Teams. My role is pretty one of many hats. I consider the perspective of artists, designers, technicians, information technology, finance, and management on a regular basis to complete my job duties.
What has been your professional history?
I have worked for Universal Orlando for 13 years. I started there as a summer job during high school working in attractions as a ride attendant and have moved my way through many positions - attractions trainer and lead, spieler, clerk, assistant, and senior assistant.
What are your strongest and weakest job skills?
My strongest job skills are my work ethic and being a team player.
My weakest job skills are assertiveness and dealing with interpersonal conflict.
What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
I can start small and improve my assertiveness with friends and family and practice this until I am comfortable with being assertive in the workplace. With interpersonal conflict I can work on communicating problems instead of avoiding dealing with them. At the very least I will have done my part even if the problem persists.
Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
Virtual Association for Administrative Professionals
Skillpath
How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
I have not participated in either so this is not applicable to me.
Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
Respecting all people and roles in the work place in combination with hard work will keep you an asset to the company and open doors.
How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
This is interdisciplinary because it does not look to anyone discipline for guidance. It is accepting off all.
How have your career goals altered?
My career goals have mostly changed since having children. It is no longer about me having a career that I want and more about providing for my kids and doing something that allows me to be with them and is respectable.
Mary Cooley
I took the free career test and found the results to be interesting. My current job is an administrative assistant and I scored low in administration and clerical as interests. I do a good job in my position even though I do not care for many of the tasks assigned to me because I have a strong work ethic. In the last two years I have been nominated and won the best administrative support person for my division which proves that you can still do a good job without loving your role. I think what keeps me in my role, aside from the hours, is that I work for an artistic group. My highest scores were in arts which was of no surprise to me. I get satisfaction from the designs and artwork that are produced by my team and I have contributed to the process if only by organization.
ReplyDeleteMary Cooley