Working and Learning - Admission/Application Essay Example

Working and Learning Lecturer Section Possible Learning Topics The topics that I would like to study so that I improve myperformance at work are time management, Customer care in the public sector and managing change. My fascination of learning time management skills arises from the fact that I realize workday has limited hours with a lot to do and hence demanding adequate time management skills in order to accomplish my daily tasks, which will transform into meeting the goals that I need to fulfill at the end of the performance management period. During the last performance appraisal, my performance was satisfactory but I desire to exceed my targets hence the need to acquire adequate time management skills that will make me be able to achieve this goal. I have a strong interest in multitasking, which will need me to improve my time management skills( Brian 2007 ) As it regards getting skills in customer care in the public sector, I have an interest in serving people to higher levels of satisfaction so that I be part of the team that improves the image of service delivery by public officers and hence the need to acquire customer care skills to make me improve my service delivery(Zemke & Woods 2001 ). Additionally, since change is the only constant thing that exists in organizations, I will like to get more skills on change management so that I do not become an obstacle to change objectives by resisting change in the organization(Aldair2009). My manager has informed me on the need to study these skills owing to the numerous upcoming projects that will require the combination of customer care skills, change management skills and time management skills in all members of staff. Section 2: You and Your Learning Context: I took a couple of lessons in time management, customer care management and change management when undertaking my academic studies. However, it has been a long time, and I remember the only interest I had then was to pass exams, so I used to read text and cram for the sake of passing exams. However, after getting into the workplace environment, I have realized i will need refresher courses in this topics to enhance my performance since, I will be able to readily apply the skills learnt in the workplace practically after every class session on period. Since I will like to Make a career change and possibly move into management, I feel this necessitates me to go for training in this skills to sharpen my people skills, how to manage my time and other people’s time and how to be at the forefront in encouraging other people to accept and manage change well in the organization (Aldair 2009 ). I have been fronted by manager to supervise a training project, and hence I believe I believe if I acquire this skill, I will be able to meet the responsibilities bestowed on me. The responsibilities that I expect to met in my managerial position will require more autonomy than the autonomy i have currently, I strongly believe getting time management skills, customer care skills and change management skills will be important or me to manage the increased autonomy that will come with increased responsibilities. Section 3: My learning objectives (i). To achieve excellent customer care skills in order to achieve 100 percent customer satisfaction in the services that I and my team offer to our customers and also be able o address customer complaints with a high degree of success(Ramsey 2012). (ii). To achieve proficiency in time management in different multicultural settings within the learning period and transform theses skills to my workplace (iii). To achieve excellent time management skills that will make it possible for me to complete projects and manage a team that will be motivated in working under different organizational settings The objectives have been ranked in order of urgency since I believe customer care skills are the most important skills since without these skills a company will lose customers and hence lose business(Gerson 1997). After achieving this skills, I realize it will be important to get time management skills and change management skills since with increased number of customers, their will be increased business and projects that will require this skills for me to cope. These learning objectives are achievable. I strongly believe that when I achieve these skills, I will be able to advance my career, and achieve my career objectives (Mabey & white1993). Section 4: Learning strategy and resources The source of ideas in my work-based learning will be relevant books on time management, customer care, and change management. Most notable, Kotter’s model of change management will be important in helping me management change in an organization successfully(Mc calman2000). Additionally, other sources will be Books, academic journals and thoughtful magazines and newspapers, experienced colleagues who share a common interest, a formally organized work group, and the Internet. I am counting on the help of my senior manager who is going to retire in a year and who has fronted my name as a possible replacement for him. I will be recording all the lessons learned and wrote a reflective paper on what I have learned so that I assess the areas that need further improvement. I will also seek the help of my mentor to evaluate me if my skills have improved. In each case I will make notes my learning journal about how each approach has worked until finding out the strategy that has brought a change in my skills. Weekly meetings with my manager will also be important in making me assess my performance. Learning objective Opportunities for work-based learning Who will I need to inform? To achieve excellent customer care skills in order to achieve 100 percent customer satisfaction in the services that I and my team offer to our customers and also be able o address customer complaints with a high degree of success Serving customers at work Reading text My manager and tutor To achieve proficiency in time management in different multicultural settings within the learning period and transform this skills to my workplace Combining work duties and church activities and find out the progress I make in meeting all the objectives within the time limit My manager and church leaders how I fair on To achieve excellent change management skills that will make it possible for me to complete projects and manage team that will be motivate in working under different organizational settings Embracing new ideas and projects in the organization, cubs, religious groups and in the family and volunteering to be in a leadership position in the projects. My manger and group leaders As it relates to planning my time, it will be an activity that will be a learning opportunity to find out if I will be able to achieve my learning objectives in my work based learning so that I improve my skills. I will distribute my time for the activities that I will need to do by allocating much time to the most pressing and urgent tasks (Jasper2003). I will prioritize tasks that cannot be postponed and ensure I feel them. The following will be my program for managing time. In my 12 X 5 weeks, I will subtract any holiday periods (including those of colleagues who are significant to my work-based learning. Thereafter, I will subtract any family commitments. Then I will subtract any particular short-term work demands that I can predict. After undertaking these activities, I will have a clear timetable foe each activity, when I will start it and when I complete the tasks. This will be in strict timelines that will not be compromised by any unforeseen circumstances since I will allocate excess time that can take care of these activities(Aldair 2009). Section 5: Demonstrating your learning In an effort to meet my learning objectives, I will look undertake both academic and practical assessments and use them to assess the progress I will have made in applying the concepts. I will expect to assess myself the ease with which I will be able to handle new projects through applying the time management, change management and customer care skills that I will have learned.. Additionally, I will also meet the module learning objectives through evaluating the level of basic skills in reflective learning, including insights into experiences and making decisions upon future action using the skills that I have learned from the tests and projects that my manager and tutor will given to me and how effective I am in applying the skills at the workplace(Jasper 2003). Additionally, I will also meet the module learning objectives by ensuring that I get concepts and their applicability in the professional world through trying the best to practise what I learn in the workplace. I will also meet the module learning outcomes by finding out my ability to use relevant knowledge and key skills to engage critically with a range of problems and issues in the workplace (Morgan 2002). I will also ensure that I am prepared to undertake the tutor marked assignments before undertaking them through revising and asking for clarification on issues that I have difficulty understanding. In an effort to demonstrate, my learning I will undertake on new projects that I am confident the skills that I have learned will come in play in an effort to complete the projects. I will provide evidence of my learning by providing extracts my learning journal and through the reflective report. The material I will select from my learning journal and for my reflective report will be the strategies to use in time management, change management and how to use customer care skills to resolve conflicts and complaints from customers. The best way to present my learning in my EMA is to use both short journal entries and a series of journal entries. Reference Aldair E, J. 2009. Effective Leadership: How to Be a Successful Leader.London:Pan Macmillan. Aldair E, J.2009. Effective Time Management: How to Save Time and Spend It Wisely.London: Pan Macmillan. Brian T. 2007. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Gerson F, R . 1997. Beyond customer service. California: Crisp Publications Jasper, M. 2003. Beginning Reflective Practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. Mabey C. White, B. and White,M . 1993..managing change. New York: Sage. McCalman J. 2000 .Change management:aguide to effective implementation .New York: Sage Morgan l,R.(2002).Culming upset customers: staying effective during unpleasant situations.California: Crisp Publications. Ramsey C. & Reid K. 2012. Learning Contract Guidance. London: Martins the Printers Zemke R& Woods A J(2001)Best Practices for Customer Service. New York: AMACOM American management association. Read More