Service Learning

My initial understanding of service learning goes like this: Service learning is basically volunteering to do a task that someone possibly does not want to do or just might not have the resources available to do it. So an individual steps in to offer a helping hand. Along the way this individual actually learns something and gains a greater respect for the organization that they volunteered with. It is a win/win situation. Another thing about service learning is that it helps to spotlight a person's abilities. You never can tell what a person is capable of unless you give them a little freedom but also a bit of stucture.

The only concern that I have currently about doing this Service Learning Project is that 1) I will not be able to find any organization to help
2) They will want me to do something and I will be lost

Some solutions might be to search high and low for an organization and as for my second concern I will ask for help from my organization so they can give me feedback on what they need.

PLCR Strategies I will employ

First of all my current career does not match up with what I ultimately what to do, which is to own a restaurant. But since that is in the future, I will concentrate on my current job. I know that one thing I need to do is communicate more efficiently. I have a habit of saying things that I should not. I call it footinmouthitis. Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't have made a better gymnast with how many times a day I put that foot in my mouth. So a strategy to "cure" that is to step back and think before I speak.

I also believe that I need to learn to have a more positive attitude. I walk into work expecting the worst. Sometimes that helps me but other times it hinders me. For instance the other night I was so not into working and a co-worker asked, "How many boxes do you think you'll get? I answered, "I hope I can get five." As the night wore on I realized that I could get six (which is what I got). If I could just have that positive attitude ALL THE TIME I think it would carry me far in life.

When it comes to culture, it is relaxed at my job but maybe we need to be a bit more strict. For instance, when it comes to trimming the parts, no one trims them the same way even though we have trim samples. Currently that is a problem because we have a prototype part that has to be done the same way by all of the shifts. Trying to get everyone to do it the same way has been a challenge to say the least.

Social Networking Sites vs. Professional Networking Sites

Professional Networking sites such as Linkedin and VisualCv offer many people the option of seeing what type of person you are by looking at your resume and the things that you have accomplished in your experiences as an employee. You can post professional pictures or share the types of awards or certifications that you have earned. It is a great way to make yourself known to potential employers. When you use a professional networking site all sorts of opportunities could come your way. Someone could be looking for an employee and like what they see on your page. The next thing you know you have a job opportunity knocking at your door. I think that it pays to have a Professional Networking site that you visit and update regularly because you never know what may come of it.

Social Networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twiiter have no real value, in my opinion. They are there to let you relax and have fun with your friends. It is a great way to keep in touch with friends that have moved away or friends that you can't see very often. The down side of Social Networking sites is that you never know what may come back to bite you. One of the most valuable things on a Social Networking site is to keep your profile private. You do not want a potential employer finding you partying it up with friends. I do not think you should post anything questionable on a Social networking site. You have to think about your actions before you display them for the world to see. One good example of what not to do is Miss Nevada Katie Rees. She was dethroned because of sexually explicit pictures. Did she not know that they would eventually get out?

DO’S DON’TS
Keep your private life, private Share things that might hurt you
Be professional Act crazy
Be calm and collected Bring drama in your life

My Business Card

My Online Reputation

By reading through "Managing Your Online Identity" I realize that I have to have a stronger online identity. I want to brand my myself in a positve light and not negitively. There are certain things that I have to be aware of like, what I post on my MySpace page and what I say on my page. There are always things that could come back to haunt me later down the line. I also want to be sure not to say anything about other people that I know that do not want their business out on the internet. I mainly think that it is about common respect.
When it comes to my visual identity, I want to present myself in a professional and appropriate manner. I do not want some party animal picture being posted on the internet for prospective employers to see. I want them to have a professional image to look at and maybe that image will give employers the right representation of what I am about.

Ever Changing Workplace

The workplace has changed so much in the last ten years or so. I mean think about it. Who remembers how big and bulky computers were back in the day? You could not even fit one in your car now you could probably fit at least 30. You have to be on your toes and make sure that everything you do is correct or its possible you could get fired. I think that its so much harder to find a job now then it was back in the day. You could walk into a shop and you would be handed a job but now you have to be a bit more professional, have a cover letter, reume and references if you want a good paying job.

Usefulness of Career Inventories

I believe that the usefulness of Career Inventories is invaluable. The inventories help to put you in the right direction of what career you want to do. Understanding what you want to do in life is a challenge for everyone. I do not think that most people know exactly what they want to do. If you take some sort of test maybe you can be "pushed" in the right direction. What better way to put yourself out there than to have a resume, cover letter and references to show someone that might be a potential employer? That just shows that you are "on the ball" when it comes to the things that an employer would want.