Question:
Read the article My Personal Formula for a Winning Resume. Take a close look at the author’s “accomplishment formula”:
Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]
Imagine you’re summarizing your experience working at The Commons on a resume. What accomplishment formula could you use to summarize your time here?

Answer:

I accomplished giving effective communication skills as measured by my assistive technology tutoring sessions by teaching individuals with and without different needs to use the programs the Commons offers.

Question:

Describe a time when you received really terrible customer service. How would you have done a better job of dealing with the situation if you’d been the employee?

Answer:

I’ve received very awful customer service at the cashier’s office in the school, they had lost my student loan application, as they needed to sign it in order for me to get the money to go to school. Instead of apologizing and looking for it or helping me with resending it, I was put on hold for 20 minutes they I guess someone just hung up because then the line dropped. Then when I tried to call again, they were very cold and just told me “Well there is nothing we can do”. If I were in that position, I would express my regret for losing their file and causing a delay in their student loan submission, I would then try and find the file or instruct them on how to resend it, even going as far as having them email me the form so I can print if off, fill it out and resend it quickly so as to make them feel reassured. It doesn’t matter that the form was lost, it is just how they handled it that upset me, the most important thing you can do for a client is give them your wholehearted attention, be sincere and show them that you are doing all you can to help them even if you don’t know how.

Question:

Gretchin Rubin suggests that there are 4 fundamental “tendencies” when it comes to how we respond to our “outer” expectations (e.g., deadlines, requests from coworkers/supervisors) and “inner” expectations (e.g., personal goals, New Year’s resolutions).
The Tendencies are:
Upholders
Questioners
Obligers
Rebels
(There are only 8 questions.) What’s your Tendency? Now, read up on the other three Tendencies. Which do you feel that you’d have the hardest time seeing eye-to-eye with? What would be your strategy for working with this Tendency if they were your coworker? Your supervisor?

Answer:

My tendency was Questioner, I don’t really agree with this personality test because I think it kind of assumes and there’s a lot of different scenarios where I wouldn’t question something. For example, if I am in a work setting and my employer asks me to do something, I am going to do it rather than question whether it makes sense or not, because they know more about how things work in the work space than I do.
The other tendency I’d struggle with is rebel, if there is an expectation to be met that isn’t outrageous (i.e. make dinner), it doesn’t need to be questioned or resisted, it would be easier if you just made dinner. If a Rebellious tendency were my coworker I would have difficulty collaborating with them, if they felt the need to challenge every decision I make, it would be hard to problem solve with them or have an open discussion, I’d most likely just try to do most of the work, if it had to be collaborative, I’d explain to them why something needs to be done a certain way and hope they understand the logic behind it. If a rebellious tendency were my supervisor, it would be difficult performing outlandish tasks. It would also be difficult to be in a productive and friendly work space, I don’t know if I’d last with a rebel personality, as they seem to want to do what they want to do rather than what is best for the greatest number of people.

Question:

Focus your energy by setting a work-related goal for yourself this semester. This goal doesn’t need to be technical, but it does need to be SMART. Specific: what exactly do you want to achieve? Why do you want to achieve it? HOW will you achieve it?
Be specific. Measurable: how will you track your progress? How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What is the concrete evidence of success? Attainable: Is this goal something that you can realistically achieve in the defined time frame. Relevant: the goal must be important to you, right now. Decide on something that’s meaningful to you. Timely: give yourself a deadline – for you, it’s the end of the semester! Select a goal that can realistically, measurably be achieved within the next 10 weeks.

Answer:

S – Specific
I would love to learn how to use the 3D printer in the Makerspace as well as be trained in Makerspace activities (although I do know my way around the sewing machine). I want to achieve this because I am very interested in how the process of 3D printing works as well as learning how to use it to my benefit and the benefit of the library. I will achieve this by asking Meaghan to let me hang out in the Makerspace sometimes.

A- Attainable
Yes I think so, others have done it before me.

R- Relevant
I think that 3D printing is the way of the future, soon it will be even more commonplace than it is now, whether it be in construction sites to create customize-able parts for a home build, in art creating a sculpture with a computer or even in the classroom as more hands on learning of a concept, it will become more efficient, cost effective and portable as all things are now, I’d love to see its progress.

T- Timely
End of the semester seems good for me!