Employability Portfolio and Personal Development Plan - Coursework Example

Employability Portfolio Student’s name Code & Course Professor’s name University City Date Employability Portfolio Task 2 Team Work It rained a few weeks after I joined campus and I noticed flooding just outside our main gate. Upon further scrutiny, I realized that it was due to littering mostly around the main gate where many students like to while their time away. Drainages were blocked and when it rained water stood there. I asked my classmates what could be done about the situation and some suggested we report to relevant authorities. I was of a different idea and suggested that we form a team to clean our surroundings. Most of them were for this idea and soon the news had spread to other departments and the next weekend we were busy sweeping and collecting litter around the campus area. At the end of the day the place was spotless and we agreed that we would remind each other not to litter in future after all there were strategically placed dustbins in and around campus. Effective Communication In my neighbourhood, I noticed that there were teenagers engaging in illicit use of drugs and I took it upon myself to try and get through to them by talking to them. They usually gather in groups of four or five at the backstreets of the neighbourhood mostly in the evenings so one day after my classes, I passed through an alley next to my home to see what I could achieve. One girl in particular was sitting alone crying. I approached her and asked her what was wrong. At first she was not trusting but after much prodding she opened up and told me that her father died when she was a toddler and her mother remarried. Since then, her stepfather had been molesting her and drugs were her way out. It occurred to me that most of these teenagers were traumatised and needed guidance. I arranged a meeting a few days later which most of them attended and shared their experiences. It has since proven to be helpful as I see an improvement in them. Initiative and Creative Problem Solving A hurricane recently occurred and many people were left homeless. I did not have enough money to cater for all their needs but I wanted to help. The idea of organising a yard sale came to mind. This would raise a substantial amount to help these people. So I gathered up various things in the house that were no longer of use and took them outside where I had put up a sale sign. Soon the place thronged with excited buyers and after I explained to them my cause, others suggested that everyone brings clothes and shoes they did not need and share the food they had in their homes. Others even offered shelter for the homeless hurricane victims until they could stand on their feet again. I felt that the problem had been creatively solved. Task 4 Reflective Review of the Year When I joined University I was amazed at the sophisticated buildings, diversity of culture and the large number of students. As a result I became very reserved and shy around people. In class when the lecturer gave assignments to be done as teamwork i did not join any. This led to my losing of substantial marks in my papers. I also did not know how to reference after completing my assignments and I was not competent in using the computer in my schoolwork. It was compulsory to be computer literate and reference all assignments. I had to open up to get help and be social with my classmates because some of them had already considered me a snob who felt too big to mingle with them. I explained myself and gradually, they began accepting me and in no time I could handle the computer and my work was always appropriately referenced. Time Management The ability to successfully manage time is certainly linked to scholarly accomplishment (Burrus, et al., 2013). At the beginning of my first year in campus, there was a mix up in assigning of hostel rooms and I found myself without one. Until the issue could be sorted I had to find another place to live in. I walked around with my belongings as I had nowhere to leave them. Talib (2012) research findings show the relationship between anxiety and academic performance. I was unfortunate enough to come across other students in campus who instead of attending classes preferred to attend parties or watch movies in their hostel rooms. They offered to host me and I felt the need to do as they did to gain their approval thus I rarely attended class. After a while I noticed that my grades were not satisfactory and this became stressfull.Time management relieves stress by getting rid of time connected stressor elements( Abbasiejad, et al. 2013). Generally female students manage their time more effectively Kaushar, Mehnaz (2013) Challenges I come from a small town where we live as a community. Here at school everyone minds their own business. It would look weird if for example i asked someone to share their laptop with me. At home, sharing is common and encouraged. It has not been easy to adapt to this. Here the people’s way of dressing and expressing themselves is very liberal as well. In my hometown, showing too much skin is considered immoral but I realize it is a normal thing here in campus. I have been ridiculed a few times about my dressing and I have had to reluctantly adjust to fit in.English is not my first language and at first I had problems in pronunciation and I could not present properly. ELLs’ depth of English language command manipulates their capability to participate in academic teaching delivered in English to the same effect as their capability to display their cognizance on English-founded evaluation of academics (Abedi & Linquanti, 2012; Taylor et al.,). However after thorough lessons in the language I am now confident in writing and speaking. States should put up policies to help schools enhance their service to ELLs (Hanes, Kerins,Perlman,Redding & Ross, 2012) Personal Development Plan Aims: What do I want to achieve /learn Actions: What will I do to achieve this? Resources: What resources/support will I need? Measurement: What will my success criteria be? Review and Time Scale: Date and method of review Sharpen my decision making skills Practice in an enabling surrounding to enhance complicated decision making Revise and utilize opportunities in training Outcomes of my decisions End of the course Obtain primary business skills Complete compulsory educational training Subject lecturers Grading from exams End of course Build my confidence as a person Interact socially with people in society Society Establishment of friendships and connections Unlimited Be more physically fit Designate time weekly for exercise Instructions from gym instructor High energy levels and body flexibility Quarterly Reference List Abbasnejad, E., farahani, A., & Nakhaei, A. (2013). The relationship between time management and job stress in teachers of physical education and nonphysical education. Advances in Environmental Biology, 7(8), 1340-1347. Abedi, J., & Linquanti, R. (2012). Issues and opportunities in improving the quality of large scale assessment systems for English language learners. Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Understanding Language Initiative. Retrieved from http://ell. Burrus, J., Jackson, T., Holtzman, S., Roberts, R., & Mandigo, T. (2013). Examining the Efficacy of a Time Management Intervention for High School Students, ETS, Princeton, New Jersey, 13-25. Hanes, S., Kerins, T., Perlman, C., Redding, S., & Ross, S. (2012). Evaluating and Improving the SEA system of recognition, accountability, and support with rubrics, explanations, and exemplars. Lincoln, IL: Center on Innovation and Improvement. Retrieved from http://www.centerii.org/survey/downloads/Evalutating_the_SRAS.pdf Kieffer, M., Lesaux, N., Rivera, M., & Francis, D. (2009). Accommodations for English language learners taking large-scale assessments: Kaushar, Mehnaz (2013). Study of impact of time management on academic performance of college students, Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM).9(6), 59-60. A meta-analysis on effectiveness and validity. Review of Educational Research, 79(3), 1168–1201. Talib, N. (2012). Determinants of Academic Performance of University Students. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 2012, 27(2), 265-278 Read More