Module 1, Week 1, Journal Reflections

1. Describe one of your strengths

What is something you have learned to do well (list a skill)?
- I can...
I can actively listen to others in a group setting.
What is something you know about (list some knowledge/expertise you have)?
- I know...
I feel like I know how to read people well, at least through there non-verbal actions, however this doesn't translate well over video/zoom.
What is something you have a natural ability to do well (list a talent)?
- I am...
I am a hard worker, I have a strong work eithic.
How could you combine these to describe a specific strength?

I suppose that I work well with others in a group setting by being able to listen, read how people are feeling, and contribute to the group with a strong work ethic.

2. Read through your Top 4 results from Pairin

In your own words, what do these top 4 qualities tell you about yourself?

That I'm a down-to-earth team player, who also values structure and order in the work environment. Furthermore, that I usually understand my role in a group, and I have strong values about fairness for all.

Do they resonate with you? Why/why not?

I think overall most of the results resonate with me. I'm a person who does value some sort of organization and defined roles, and I do have strong beliefs in fairness and equality for all (Lover of Justice). One area that didn't resonate with me was my Strongest Driver- Friend. I don't find myself seeking out others to work with, I tend to be a more introverted person who perfers to work alone when given the choice.

How do they relate to the strength you wrote about in Prompt #1?

I think the strength that I wrote about in prompt #1 matches up well with my Pairin results. Both emphasize that I work well in a team setting and like to participate in healthy group dynamics.

3. Challenges with strengths

What can make it challenging to recognize your strengths? How can you work through those challenges?

My lack of self confidence can make it hard to recognize my strengths and realize what my strengths actually are. I'm not totally sure how to become a more self-confident person, especially as it relates to programming, since I have zero experience. I need to get over my imposter syndrome, and have a stronger belief in my self and what I am capable of (this is easier said than done!).

Do you ever see yourself overusing certain strengths? In what circumstances would you want to use them less and amplify other strengths? How could you adjust your approach in those instances?

I think I could overuse my strength of being a hard worker by convincing myself that I could reach an answer or soultion without reaching out for help. I think that when I get stuck on a problem or concept, I need to set a timer for twenty minutes and if I haven't reached a soultion I need to reach out for help. Furthermore I think my willingness to be a team player, and make sure there is no conflict within the group could take away from certain circumstances in a group. For instance, if a member of the group isn't completing their portion of the work, instead of trying to be a team player maybe I could try and be leader and work through ways to make each team member be more accountable.

4. Strengths in action

Write 1-2 sentences describing how you like to work (i.e., Do you pre-plan? Do you talk through your ideas first? Do you work better with deadlines? How do you stay organized?)

I like to work by having deadlines and writing done lists of tasks to be completed for the day. Pre-planning is something somewhat new to me, but I'm trying it out this first week.

How could you describe these working preferences to your project teammates? Your mentor? Your instructors?

I would say that I'm a deadline driven person, and I work best having task(s) that need to be completed before the day ends, otherwise I have trouble with motivation.

What would you need to be aware of when working with people who have different strengths from you?

I would just like to know what their style of work is, and have a discussion on how our styles would work best together. I'm a very flexible person, but I'd rather know up front how that person works; if they leave all their work for the last minute I'd like to know that first, rather than worry right before the deadline.

How could your Pairin results help you better understand your everyday working preferences?

Well my high score in cooperative-practical reinforces my belief that I work best in a well structured and ordered environment. Furthermore, my high scores in friend and team player help me understand that I should have a good social working environment to be successful.

5. Continued growth

Is there any particular strength you'd like to sharpen while you're at Turing? Any area you consider a weakness that you'd like to strengthen?
What are some steps you could take here?
How could you be aware of progress you're making?

I'd like to sharpen my strength of working well with others/ being a team player. I feel like being able to work in a group is such an important skill that you can never become a master at it. Furthermore, I would like to start thinking about that everyone comes from a different background and learning enviroment and to be more aware of that.

I think one of my biggest weaknesses that I would like to work on is self-confidence. I've become more introverted the older I get, and I think as a result my self cofidence has taken a hit. I'm not really sure why, but it's a challenge for me to volunteer in class or speak out and ask questions. This is something I really need to work on. I think that I should start trying to volunteer to speak maybe one time a day, and then try and increase this amount each week. Maybe I could keep track of my progress in my notebook or write down the number of times I speak a week.