Personal Portfolio, Mental Models - Article Example

Personal Portfolio Me and myself In this portfolio, the main issues will exemplify my personal experience, including my thoughts about life and the challenges I had faced in the past. Experience Living in Africa is one of the most important experiences I ever had in my life. In fact, I had discovered the meaning of challenges and struggles. In short, I learnt how to become responsible, a man of his words. My thoughts about life were limited and simple. The best technique to learn how to do things in a proper way is to gain as much experience as possible. I believe that the more we make mistakes, the more we learn how to tackle with the challenges. This leads us to determination that we must not fail next time. I still remember when I was 10 years old, I asked dad to recruit a computer teacher for my personal skills expansion in the field. I was so happy that at the age of 15, I was able to compete with all my colleagues at school and become number one! The teachers called me then “The Guru” most probably because they realized that a brilliant career was awaiting my path and believed that one day I would become as popular as Bill Gates. This push was the first step for me to struggle and double my personal efforts in this life. For that, I had to challenge myself and sort out all my resources that would lead me to become a successful student. Soon after, I entered a Computer School called ‘Aptech’ in Nigeria to mainly focus on Information Systems. In addition to this, I did many minor computer jobs such as designing websites for some celebrities and teaching some students in the city. As a result, I succeeded in achieving my goals and understanding the meaning of a professional career. I had learned a lot from my past experiences and yet I am aiming to elaborate my self-being because I assume learning is a continuous lifetime process. My three years at the Computer School made me become astute, responsible and hard-working person. Moreover, I worked at my dad’s company as an I.T manager. What I really learned from this specific job was that serious work and punctuality would be the key success factors for one’s future reputation. Mental Models Being a serious person, I always plan for the future and I make sure that know exactly what I need in my life. No one is perfect however I try to work and offer the best I can do. If I get a hint that I would not be able to handle a specific task I do not involve in it from the very beginning. My parents were the first support for the foundation of my career, financially and they supported me in personal aspects too. They always wished I would become a doctor or engineer, but my instincts were directed towards computer and I believed through self-actualization that I could prosper more if I follow the path I wish to walk on. Since then, I decided to show them that no matter what a person’s profession is one can be a successful person if he believes in his capabilities and aptitude. For that, I intended to challenge myself. A challenge needed more than ever so that I could show all the people (who had expectations from me) that they were at their right judgments. Therefore I decided to specialize in the computing systems and get rid of any entertaining issues that could interrupt my studies. I started working very hard. This enhanced my capacities to a very high ability. The most important thing I would like to mention is that whenever I am not sure of my projects, I do not submit them until I am satisfied that I have fully integrated my efforts and capabilities in my work. Skills I am proud of myself knowing that I have proficiency in the area of computing systems because I love this field and to me it is no less than a passion. Furthermore, being a teacher for a while contributed in enhancing my communication skills and I became accustomed to various kinds of people and races. Also, I have the pleasure of speaking different languages fluently, such as French, English, German and Arabic. In fact, I was a French educated student in Lagos at “Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur” and I had the opportunity to learn German as well. Moreover, I emphasized my education on economy and I.T. Being brought up in Africa gave me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in a profound way through various customs, regarding the traditional, ideological and philosophical points of view. Because of this “salad bowl” environment, I am able to adapt to different cultures easily. Knowledge Thanks to my computing skills I had gained lots of knowledge concerning this field. Through my past experience, I knew that life is not a bed of roses, nor a life of perfectionism, but a path of sacrifices, challenges and competition. I-e it is just like a battle field. So I realized that the more we face challenges, the more we become strong to stand on our feet once again and move forward. Finally, word “mistake” is the only way to learn and know how things are to be done correctly in order to accomplish success in future. When we realize our mistakes, we have just climbed the first step to the solution. Personal Assessment In this part of my portfolio, I will try to assess my skills in different fields and different walks of life. I would first like you to know what kind of tests have I chosen and then I would give a summary of the assessment of the tests. Methodology My weaknesses and strengths are evaluated by me with the help of few tests that I have taken. Key Skills Audit Approaches to learning and Studying Academic and Key Transferable Skills Development Self Audit CV Summary of Personal Audit Learning and Studying (Appendix 1)According to this test it was interesting to know a little more about my learning aptitude. Now I can easily say that there are a few points which are evident from this test. I seem to have good grasp of the topics of my subjects. Many a times I am pre-occupied with the thoughts of my studies which often end up in innovative ideas. Or sometimes I am found searching for more information regarding my assignments and works to gain excellence. I am always looking forward to learn more and more and make sure that I gain as much as I can from the provided stuff. This also adds to my experience. I make sure that I know the most important and essential things by heart so there are less and less chances of errors in anything I do. I follow the path that seems better to me, I am not an emotional kind of person who would just close my eyes and chose something that would not satisfy me and my work requirements would remain unfulfilled. And same goes with my learning attitude. I always try o figure out what exactly is being said, instead of just learning it word by word. I keep on burning my brain oil until I actually understand what the exact meaning of the stuff is, I am trying to learn. When doing some work, I make sure that I put my entire mind into it, instead of looking here and there, I concentrate on my work. Simply saying that I don’t like disturbances while I am working. I usually like to work systematically and logically. Reasoning is the main key to Understanding. I like to tackle new challenges and enjoy reaching a conclusion. I dislike leaving everything to the last minute. I think it is really very important that the work is not copied and the main thing which should be reflected from one’s work is the Personal effort. Time Management (Appendix 1, 2) Surprisingly, with this test I have come to realize that I can manage my time pretty well. I try to consume my time in the Best possible ways. I appreciate working at day time because honestly! Nights are to sleep. As I have already mentioned that I do not leave everything to the Last minute, this is another excellent example of my time management skill. I try my best to meet the deadlines. I treat my time as wealth as I strongly believe that the time once gone would never come back and sometimes we might not even get time to cry over the spilt milk. So I can straightly say I know how to take care of my wealth and spend it wisely before it’s gone. Academic Self-Confidence The results of the test showed that my academic self-confidence is very high. Of course nobody is perfect but we can at least try to achieve fineness in what ever we do. Usually I do not find a lot of problem in making sense of the data with which I am working. I have a good treasure of Knowledge in my field which I have gained not only from my studies but also my experience. Key Skills Audit (Appendix 2) In case of my knowledge and understanding I sometimes hesitate to speak out what I already know. But fortunately this does not effect my work because I am used to doing what I think is right for the best outcome of my assigned work. With the grace of God I don’t have any problem in my ethical issues. Ethically my rating is 4 out of 5 which is I guess well enough for community work. My Intellectual skills are average. My aptitude to evaluate things and environment is ok. The way of analyzing a specific thing is normal as I am usually engrossed in my concerned work, I analyze my environment normally without taking a lot of tension of fake things so that my work dose not get effected. Application of my experiences also helps me to stay stable in a place and in work environments, either it is a work related issue or Practical life. But my satisfaction does not end here as I am looking forward to amplify my Cognitive skills. Key/Transferable Skills Group Working I am usually very comfortable even with team work. I do not mind working in groups and helping others with all I have. It not only gives me more motivation for work but also enhances the motivation of others. I can easily negotiate on different issues when ever needed and a believer of group work. Thus adapting to people and environment does not hinder my tasks. Using Resources I can use the internet and intranet proficiently. Same goes with electronic databases like library catalogue. So researching is not a big issue for me and the use of these things is not new to me. Sometimes I face difficulty in constructing search strategies or identifying key words but finally I do not face any solid problem in locating the information required. Information Management I can effectively manipulate text and my Numeracy skills are also well. Collecting and Recording data is a child’s play for me as I can handle it very well. Data analysis, Information presentation, Email/Online Collaboration and graphics manipulation is also very well. Autonomy Communications (Appendix 2, 3) In addition to the entire test made me realize that my side skills like Visual-Design/ Layout and Listening – Note taking are also very first-class. Verbally – one to one communication is Fantastic and even verbally – Within group/ in front of a group communication are very well. In addition I can also write good essays and fine reports. Practical Skills The application of my skills and experiences is very nice as I know how to use the information that I owe. I do not depend a lot on the works/knowledge of others as I have self-sufficiency in acquaintance. Academic and Key Transferable Skills Development Self Audit Research Skills and Techniques (Appendix 3) I got some interesting knowledge about my Research aptitude from this test. My ability to recognize and validate problems is very nice. I have ample knowledge of recent advances within my field and the areas related to it. I have a Good understanding of different methodologies, techniques and their application in the researches. I can handle to summaries, document, and report and reflect on progress. Research Environment The test shows that I am pretty comfortable with the research environments. I know how to follow the rules like taking care of confidentiality attribution, malpractice, ownership of data, ethics, copyright, and the requirements of the Data Protection Act. And I understand the value of health and safety issues. It also showed that I am a little low in the processes of funding and evaluating of Research but well enough in understanding of the process of academic or commercial exploitation of research results. Research Management With the help of setting research goals, intermediate milestones and prioritization I can effectively manage Projects. A proof of this is the Participation on a software development with a group team for the past few years. I can fairly design and execute systems for the acquisition plus can identify and access appropriate archives, bibliographical resources and other sources of relevant information and can use the information appropriately for database management, recording and presenting it. Personal Effectiveness Even the result of my personal effectiveness was very good. The willingness and ability to acquire knowledge, creative innovative and original approach to research and flexibility and open‑mindedness were also very high. In addition self‑awareness and the ability to identify own training needs, motivation, and thoroughness recognizing boundaries, initiative, work independently and be self‑reliance were almost excellent. Career Management The career management skills also touched a high level. My commitment to continued professional development was evident. I can manage career progression, set realistic and achievable career goals very well. Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths Why Communication I do not face any Problems working or interacting with people. Even in groups, I am quiet comfortable with the people as I can adapt to new environment easily. Hard Working I am hard working as I prefer work satisfaction. I give all my time and strength to achieve the best out of the good, and make sure the next work is better than the previous. Effectiveness While working with others I am very effective as I like making friends and on the other hand I prefer the best work. A mixture of these preferences ends up into good work in a friendly and effective way. Self Reliant I am a self relying person; I do not depend on others for what is assigned to me. And make sure that I put my individuality in my work Field Knowledge As I have mentioned already that I learn things with understanding and interest, it would not be wrong to say that when I put my hands into some task, I am loaded with needed information Already. Weaknesses Why Time As I am a believer of better and best, sometimes I take longer time to bring the tasks up to the mark. And I keep working for making it better. Stress I can work during stress. But when I am working under stressed situations I sometimes have a problem tackling with people as at that time I prefer not being disturbed. Work Satisfaction I usually do not get satisfied with the work until I have done it properly. So I put extra efforts to get the self satisfaction. So same goes with the case of others. I prefer that the other people attached to me should also give their hard work to the assigned task. Action Plan To do better in my future, career field, I have worked out an action plan to overcome my weaknesses and to prosper in my work. In addition I would like a continuous professional development so I would prefer learning and gain as much knowledge as possible in my field. Issues to be addressed Objectives Time I am already good at managing time but sometimes the lope holes remain. I have decided to research a lot before getting started with the work so that I don’t have to delay it at any cost Stress In the field areas I would try to get de stressed. I would try not to be hard on people even if they disturb during stressed work hours and try to understand others requirements. Work satisfaction Because work satisfaction is the main issue for me, I would prefer paying a lot of attention to my work and again a lot of research work to get the targeted satisfaction in time. For the others I have decided to offer every possible help they would accept so that others can also work to their fullest capabilities. Continuous Professional Development For a Continuous Professional Development Program I would remain updated with latest software’s and newest ways of task development. I assume that time to time courses would help me to achieve this target. Helping Factors There are many factors which can help me in developing my career. I have a lot of experience and it will surely help me out in future. My skills regarding (Appendix 4 CV). The thing that I do not rely on others is I guess an important part because that helps me not to be dependent on others while doing my work. My quality of trying to do better every time can help me in progressing. When I research more, it helps me gain more knowledge and also helps me to be more creative in my field. Conclusion I would like to conclude that by this portfolio of mine, it is easy to make out what kind of personality I have and the way I tackle with life. It was important to analyze my weaknesses and strengths because they are both a part of life. My CV has been attached in the appendix that would give the details of my Knowledge and Field related experiences. Bibliography Harry M. Markowitz 1991 Portfolio Selection: Efficient Diversification of Investments: Blackwell Publishing Richard C. Grinold, Ronald N. Kahn 1999 Active Portfolio Management: A Quantitative Approach for Producing Superior ...: McGraw-Hill Professional How to write the portfolio http://www.wvutech.edu/bhs/programs/regents/portfolio/docs/Portfolio%20Overview.pdf Writing Tips for Portfolio Entries http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/286073/the_importance_of_having_a_writing.html Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace http://www.quintcareers.com/job_search_portfolio.html Read More