Being Involved in Social Service Activities in the Communities - Coursework Example

?Personal Development Portfolio Hailing from an upper middle family in Dubai, I have always been amazed by the developments in modern technology. Right from my childhood days I have understood that the discipline of engineering is the force that guides all the advancements in technology. This, in turn, caused the budding of an affinity in me towards engineering. I have remained especially interested in electrical engineering because I knew that electricity is the primary source of energy that lays foundation for all the equipments that are used to support science and technology. Thus, I have always cherished the dream of pursuing an academic career in engineering with some orientation towards electrical engineering. On the other hand, I also value self dependency and supporting myself in my endeavours to the maximum extent possible without having to depend on my family. Therefore, immediately after completing high school, I sought out a job with HSBC Bank, Dubai, as a business development executive. In this position, I was responsible for marketing several products of the bank and I have been effective in this role. Since I had good connection in the region I was instrumental in bringing several new customers to the bank. During my tenure of six months with the bank, I was also able to learn administrative procedures apart from having here had also enabled me to become more organized in terms of settings goals, planning the achievement of targets as well as how to make good the short falls. However, I did not want to entertain the idea of getting strike to a job which did not entirely fit into the frame work of the carrier of my choice. In the meanwhile I realised that global aviation industry is poised for a sea change in the near future, in the aftermath of globalization. Even in Dubai, the developmental activities were in full swing. Similar was the case with Asian and European countries as well as the US. Travel and tourism industry was flourishing on an unfathomed manner. A realisation of the opportunity in aviation management, coupled with my inherent affinity towards a career in engineering, motivated me take up a course in aerospace systems. Thus, I joined Barry College, South Wales, UK, for a 3 year Diploma Course in Aerospace Systems Management. I selected this college because of its popularity as a premier institution in the field of aviation studies and over 9,000 learners pass out from there every year. They provide state of the art aerospace training and development programmes in maintenance, repair and overhauling and their courses are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. Besides, they also have a vast network of institutions in partnership with several colleges that offer a wide range of aircraft engineering courses. The stint I spent in Barry’s campus was a major turning point in my life. The college had an excellent faculty supported by modern equipment and sophisticated infrastructure. It also provided a congenial environment for me to focus on my studies with full involvement both in terms of academic betterment and personal development. My peers and tutors in there were very supportive and encouraging, which helped me in my overall development not only in my academics but in the personal front also, by inculcating in me several values and ethics. My earlier work experience with HSBC had helped me in properly setting my goals and objectives, planning my studies appropriately as well as executing the plans as prescheduled. The main objectives that I set for myself were to achieve improvement in three subjects, which are: mathematics, electrical engineering and practical work (communication skills). Taking cue from my work experience as stated earlier, I was also able to integrate aspects of personal development into my academic schedule, focusing on values and ethics. Thus, I was able to organize my studies in a proper manner, aligning my plans with the objectives I set for myself and executing my plans as per the predetermined schedules. Besides, I had carried out periodical reviews of my achievements as well as performance and initiated timely action to make good any shortfalls. As a result I could acquire the required mastery in all the three subjects as under:- Mathematics: To improve my mathematical skill I drew out a proper plan and made earnest endeavours to follow it up, which included the following strategies: - 1. Integrating math as a regular part of my life and keep thinking and reminiscing about the concepts during my other activities such as travelling, eating etc. 2. To properly learn mathematical terminologies so as to gain an accurate understanding of various mathematical concepts. 3. Consult guides and manuals to aid my mathematics practice. 4. Putting extra hard work to complete mathematics assignments in time, receive feedback from tutors and work on the problems areas by seeking help from teachers and peers. 5. Hire the services of a personal tutor to avail help in the areas where I have problems. 6. To keep a positive attitude about the subject and boost up my confidence level. 7. Repeatedly practice mathematics and enhance my problem solving skills. 8. Practice memorizing and improve my memorization skills as it is a significant step in improving mathematics. 9. Stop using calculators and improve manual calculation skills. Electrical Engineering: I appreciate the fact that in order to acquire mastery in electrical engineering, one requires proper knowledge in science and maths. Thus, I worked to improve my skills in science as well as maths and adopted the following strategies: - 1. Underwent skill audit exams and evaluate performance based on the results 2. Read latest technology manual on electrical engineering 3. Utilized specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems 4. Turned concepts into reality in practice 5. Underwent short term courses such as numeracy, problem-solving and IT, developed on electrical engineering, to acquire various skills 6. Volunteered to involve in various practical projects on electrical engineering 7. Built up teamwork skills Communication Skills: In the modern world, especially in the post globalization era, communication has become a major factor in determining the success of a person in all walks of life. Therefore, I have focused on improving this aspect right from the beginning of my academic career in Barry College, UK. English, the lingua franca of the present day has assumed significance as the common language that connects nations across the globe, speaking diverse languages. I have understood that attaining mastery in both spoken and written English is a crucial task I must undertake in order to achieve my objective of becoming a true professional. To develop communication skills one needs to improve the basic knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. This needs to be done in a systematic manner, on a regular basis. A person’s language skill will improve only if he or she uses that language daily. Therefore, to improve my communication skills, I have adopted the following strategies: - 1. Assess my current skills in both and oral and written English, identify problems areas and work on them. 2. Lay out a proper plan to improve areas where my writing or speaking lack required edge. 3. Inculcate the habit of adequately evaluating the audience and assessing the purpose of the communication. This will enable me to design my speech or writing to match the tastes of the audience and their ability to understand what I communicate. Assessing the purpose of the communication will also facilitate the elimination of redundancy. I will, thus, be able to include in my speech or writing only information that is required to attain a definite purpose. 4. To practicing appropriate facial expressions and making use of body language and tone while communicating verbally and deploying rhetoric effectively in my writing. 5. Developing a proper tone and voice during speeches. 6. Pausing in between speeches, observing the audience and giving them ample to ingest the information being shared. 7. Deploying the dynamics of sound in speeches by using pitch, raising and lowering voice etc. 8. Clear enunciation of words by speaking with clarity and avoiding mumbling or babbling. 9. To create a proper impact, use eye contact while speaking or addressing an audience and using gestures. 10. Learn the correct pronunciation of words. 11. Enhancing my vocabulary so as to enable me to use the most appropriate word that is relevant to the context. Taking the determination to learn at least 10 new words a day. 12. Using a simple and direct style while creating messages. 13. Reading English fiction as non-fiction books, magazines and other periodicals. 14. Watching English movies, which is in fact a favourite pastime of mine, and listening to news broadcasts. By carefully laying out my plans for studies as stated above, and through strictly following the schedules and implementing the methodologies, I could achieve remarkable progress in all the fields. Besides, I also focused on improving my personality and the way I carried myself. I, thus, inculcated in me the habit of appearing in a very impressive manner, always rendering myself a sleek look, taking caution in the way I groomed myself, including my haircut, the apparels I wear and perfumes I use. I regularly went to gym to maintain a slim and lithe body. I took special care in my dieting and made sure that my body did not collect any extra flab and my tummy remained flat. Thus, by determination and dedication during my academic tenure in Barry, I was able to improve myself both in terms of academic studies as well as personal improvement. Six Months Training Course in Aircraft Maintenance from Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE) of the Royal Air Force (RAF): This institution, apart from being a military formation, can also be considered as a most successful business venture and boasts of being a “first defence college site to become fully accredited to an ISO 9000-2000 quality assurance system and it has now embarked on substantial business initiatives to secure International Defence Training contracts” (Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE) 2012, para. 2). The RAF is an organization that promotes equal opportunities to all and its training wing is a well reputed organization that has already established a high standing in aeronautical training. They have all sophisticated equipment and state of the art infrastructure for providing the best high class training available in aeronautical engineering. The campus also offers several social and welfare activities as well as facilities for sports, indoor and outdoor games. The six months I spent here have helped me master various techniques in aircraft maintenance and repair besides offering me an understanding of several new aircraft engines. My focus has remained on maintenance of Jaguar aircrafts. I have also received the opportunity here to personally learn of through firs hand experience several new aircrafts about which I have only read earlier. RAF being an organization that maintains a high profile of elegance, refinement and discipline, it has also helped groom personality into a better shape apart from enhancing my technical knowhow in aircraft maintenance and repairs. It made me more disciplined and systematic. Moreover, the opportunity for interaction with British citizens has helped me improve my communication skills as well. So, overall the stint with DCAE of the RAF was a highly rewarding and crucial period, which helped improve in my professional as well as personal lives. Work Experience in Dubai: After my training with the RAF, I felt the need to gain some more work experience and, thus, joined a private airlines company in Dubai as a first line maintenance crew. The main objective I had was to do more practical work and achieve a cutting edge to practical skills and problem solving in aircraft maintenance. The focus here was Cessna + Twin Otter and I have been able to gain valuable practical experience from this organization in the repair and maintenance of aircrafts. Future Goals: My experience from life so far has taught me one significant lesson that in order to be successful in one’s endeavours, a person needs to have clearly defined goals and appropriate plans on how to achieve his or her objectives. Once the plan is determined the individual has to work according to it, by displaying the traits of dedication, commitment and hard work to achieve the targets set. The most important factor in this strategy, however, is to make sure that the career path one chooses is relevant and practical to the times. The chosen career path should also be compatible to the individual’s attitude, aptitude, interests, personality, skill sets and knowledge. My goals for the future are two folded: First, to become a qualified professional in aeronautical engineering and next, to become a responsible individual, who is of value not only to his family and country but to the entire human race as a whole. With this noble goal in mind, I want to improve my skill sets and earn a respectable job as well as to become a worthy human being. My most immediate goal in the professional context is to pursue a course in Avionics Technology. Therefore, I intend to pursue a Masters Degree in some of the reputed universities/institutions in the UK. Higher education in this field will surely fetch me the best career opportunities in aircraft engineering. So far the location of my job goes, I am open about and willing to work anywhere in the world. My pervious track record instils confidence in me and I am sure that the course I plan to pursue is best suited to my attitude, skill sets and knowledge as well as work experience. I also feel confident that I possess the necessary grit and motivation to undertake a challenge of this magnitude. The manner in which I have improved my skills in maths, engineering and communication skills in the past will be the milestones that will decide my future study plans and I am sure that I will be able to systematically work and achieve my objectives. On a personal level, I intend to involve in social service activities in the communities where I will be working in the future, irrespective of which nation or region it will be. This will enable me to contribute my best to the interest of human race without consideration to geographical locations, race, religion, social class or ethnicity. Reference List Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE). 2012. Royal Air Force. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 18 February 2012] Read More