The Definitions for Ability and Skill - Assignment Example

Self-Assessment 1: What KSAOs Do You Have? Respond to the following questions. The definitions for ability, skill, and knowledge are in the Reading section of Unit 1. Try to respond with very few words per item. 1. What three abilities do you enjoy performing? (Example: talking and listening to senior citizens) A: liaison activities b: computer operations. c: Conducting investigations. 2. What skills do you possess that you enjoy using? (Example: being patient) a: Problem-solving. b: Communication. c: Coordinating. 3. What knowledge have you acquired that you would enjoy using? (Example: psychology) a: Case processing. b: Criminology principles. c: Penology Principles 4. What jobs within your chosen profession might provide you the opportunity to use these nine enjoyable KSAs? (Example: An administrator in a retirement, nursing, or assisted living home) a: A parole officer. b: A probation officer. c: A state parole officer. Self-Assessment 2: What do you value in your job? How important are the following items to you in your job? Responses: 1: Not important at all 2: Not very important 3: Neutral 4: Slightly important 5: Extremely important 1. The amount of job security I have. 5 2. The amount of pay and fringe benefits I receive. 5 3. The amount of personal growth and development I get from doing my job. 5 4. The people I talk to and work with on my job. 5 5. The degree of respect and fair treatment I receive from my boss. 4 6. The feeling of worthwhile accomplishment I get from doing my job. 5 7. The chance to get to know other people while on the job. 5 8. The amount of support and guidance I receive from my supervisor. 5 9. The degree to which I am fairly paid for what I contribute to the organization. 5 10. The amount of independent thought and action I can use in my job. 5 11. How secure things look for me in the future in this organization. 5 12. The opportunity to assist other people while at work. 5 13. The amount of challenge I receive in my job. 5 14. The overall quality of the supervision I receive in my work. 5 Category: Average your Answers: Pay and Benefits: # 2 and 9 __10_ ÷ 2 5 Job Security: # 1 and 11 __10_ ÷ 2 = 5 Social Aspects on the Job: # 4, 7, and 12 __15_ ÷ 3 = 5 Supervision: # 5, 8, and 14 __14_ ÷ 3 = 4.2 Career and Personal Growth: # 3, 6, 10, and 13 __20_ ÷ 4 = 5 The higher your average scores, the more important these job characteristics are to you. Adapted from: Hackman and Oldham, 1975, in Cook, J., Hepworth, S, and Wall, T. (1981). The Experience of Work: A Compendium and Review of 249 Measures and their Use. New York: Academic Press. CS410 Self-Assessment 3: Interests and Personality Type* Student Name: ______Raquel Ainsworth___­­­­____ Date: __6/28/2011____ Purpose: To identify personal interests. Instructions: 1. Circle any activities in this table that interest you. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A Fix mechanical things Work on a scientific project Sketch, draw or paint Work as a volunteer for a charity Operate my own business Operate office machines B Take a Woodworking class Study the stars through a telescope Play in a band or orchestra Help others with their personal problems Serve as an officer of a group Computer business figures C Take an Auto Mechanics class Solve a mathematical problem Create photographs Work as a speech therapist Supervise the work of others Take an Accounting class D Work outdoors Investigate a crime scene Take an Art class Work as a nurse Lead a group to accomplish a goal Take a Commercial Math class E Operate motorized machines or equipment Read scientific books or magazines Act in a play Teach children Read business magazines or articles Work in an office F Build things Do a lot of thinking Design fashions Teach or train others Meet important people Write a business letter G Work alone Use a microscope Design interiors Lead a group discussion Give a talk or speech Use a computer H Tend/Train animals Do complicated calculations Read fiction, plays or poetry Play a team sport Sell things Keep accurate records I Pitch a tent Understand physics laws and theories Attend concerts, the theater, or an art exhibit Help others resolve a dispute Promote or spread an idea Be responsible for details J Solve mechanical puzzles Interpret formulas Work on crafts Participate in a meeting Win a leadership or sales award Type or use word processing software K Plant a garden Learn about a new subject area Work according to your own rules Are good with words and talking to people Take on a lot of responsibility Work with numbers L Read a blueprint Use computers Use your imagination to do something original Work with young people Participate in a political campaign Be very well organized M Play a sport Perform lab experiments Write stories and poetry Plan and supervise an activity Convince people to do things your way Set up a system for doing something and stick to it TOTAL R ___0___ I ____7__ A __0____ S ____8__ E ____9__ C ___11___ 2. Count the circles in each column and write that number in the “Total” row, above. 3. The two columns with the most items circled will indicate what your code(s) are. a. If you have a “tie,” see if you can delete any circled items because they are “not as interesting” as the others. Then, re-add. 4. See the explanations of your “interest codes,” below. 5. Write a paragraph of 100 words maximum answering these questions: a. Do you agree or disagree with the results? b. Do these results match the characteristics of the profession you have chosen? I scored highest in “conventional” and “enterprising”, followed by “social” and “investigative”. I completely agree with these results, as they represent the diversity of my interests quite well. Though “conventional”, with its focus on “working with things over people” and “enterprising”, with its “leadership and social aspects”, seem at odds; they actually show how I much I like to bring a strong, organized mind to leadership roles, that allow me to work with big ideas and other people. I couldn’t have asked for a better fit for my chosen profession, as I will be working indoors, but closely with others. My most important characteristic is social; as a parole officer my job description requires me to work with people. Perform liaison activities with criminal justice agencies, social service agencies, and other public and private entities. Then there are my “Investigative skills”, or problem-solving techniques. “Enterprising skills”, will be useful when interviewing and/or counseling offender’s. “Conventional skills”, clerically, I can type 45 words per minute, I have no problem working closely with others or alone; working protracted or irregular hours, are not a problem for me, nor is traveling by car, van, bus or airplane. Professor in Assessment #3; I colored my selection in (red), instead of circling. Reason being when I circle my selection the text disappeared. I hope this is okay with you. Interests Code Explanations: R = Realistic Mechanical and athletic abilities; likes working outdoors with tools and objects; prefers dealing with things rather than people. I = Investigative Math and science abilities; likes working alone and solving complex problems; likes dealing with ideas rather than people or things. A = Artistic: Artistic ability and imagination; enjoys creating original work; likes dealing with ideas rather than things. S = Social: Social skills; interested in social relationships and helping others solve problems; likes dealing with people rather than things. E = Enterprising: Leadership and speaking abilities; likes to be influential; interested in politics and business; like to deal with people and ideas, not things. C = Conventional: Clerical and math ability; prefer working indoors and organizing things; like to deal with words and numbers rather than people or ideas. Self-Assessment 4: Abilities ** Purpose: To identify your abilities. Note: You will be able to use this later as you prepare your resume and some interview responses. Instructions: 1. Think of the abilities listed below in terms of how you compare yourself to your classmates, friends, or work colleagues. 2. Circle the answer that best describes your abilities when compared to your classmates, friends, or work colleagues. 3. At the bottom, write a paragraph of 100 words maximum, comparing your abilities to those required for jobs in your profession. ABILITIES: RATE YOURSELF: COMMUNICATION (includes speech, writing, persuasion, reading and comprehension) Below Average Average Above Average MATH (includes adding, subtracting, multiplying, a dividing) Below Average Average Above Average SPATIAL (includes biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy) Below Average Average Above Average SCIENCE (includes biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy) Below Average Average Above Average LEADERSHIP (is an ability to take on responsibility in a group, to motivate others, and to provide direction in group activities) Below Average Average Above Average ART (includes painting, drawing, sculpture, acting, and music) Below Average Average Above Average PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE (includes athletics, dance, and a variety of activities that require coordination) Below Average Average Above Average MECHANICAL (is an ability to understand and fix various machines and appliances) Below Average Average Above Average Compare your abilities from this assessment to those required in your profession: In my self assessment I have scored highly in the areas of communication, math, leadership and physical performance, while being below average in artistic and mechanical abilities. I feel that this fits in very well with my chosen profession of parole officer. Field officers need to be able to communicate very well with their paroles as well as their supervisors; so this will be an important ability. While leadership, will provide me with access to advancement on my chosen career path. As a last resort a parole officer might have to deal with physical violence, so my high physical score will enable me to better protect myself, as well as others that may be involved. Professor in Assessment #4; I colored my selection in (red), instead of circling. Reason being when I circle my selection the text disappeared. I hope this is okay with you. * Assessment 3 was taken with permission from: http://www.acrnetwork.org/cdmt/und/match_work.htm ** Assessment 4 was taken with permission from: http://www.acrnetwork.org/cdmt/und/know_ability.htm Both are from a project of the National Training Support Center, operated by DTI Associates, Inc., with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Read More