Throughout college, there are many opportunities to improve your interdisciplinary skills by becoming a volunteer, participating in internships and by attending professional workshops. Do you know what your strongest and weakest professional skills are? When you challenge yourself to seek out and accept opportunities to develop new skills you are able to see what skills you have and where you need improvement. You also begin to figure out what you want to do in life as your future career and what you want to achieve as an individual. Life is full of opportunities; you just have to recognize them.
As an IDS major, take advantage of the variety of skills you already have and start making career goals. Career goals guide and help you organize your life. To help reach your career goals, take advantage of the Clubs here at UCF. Join the IDS club or something that interests you. Visit here to check out all the UCF Clubs
UCF also offers a variety of ways to gain relevant work experience that you can put on a resume. To see some of these opportunities visit UCF Career Services
Think about how your career goals have changed since you started college. Are they the same as when you first began or have jobs or classes you’ve had altered them? If you’ve already participated in internships or externships, how have those experiences helped your professional development?
When it comes to your professional life, what is your personal philosophy? Do you let you your values or your beliefs guide you? Is your philosophy interdisciplinary? What has been the driving force of your professional philosophy?
In your response, please answer some of the questions presented throughout the post and identify two opportunities to increase and improve your professional skills while you are at UCF.
In my professional life, I try to keep my values and beliefs largely separate from work as they tend to interfere more than anything. Hopefully that will change when I find something I can call a career as opposed to just a job, but for now its more a matter of clocking in, doing what I'm told, and going home. I would say my philosophy is interdisciplinary, but then again, most of life is interdisciplinary. I have a variety of skills in different areas and try to put those to use as often as I can. A couple of opportunities at UCF that would improve my professional skills are the Experiential Learning Office and possibly the UCF volunteering program. Both of these would allow me to network with others in my fields of study and provide me with valuable work experience.
ReplyDeleteHey Brett,
DeleteYou said your career philosophy is interdisciplinary but didn't elaborate on what your personal philosophy is. Is it something that would change in a position that you felt was more like a career or is it something that would stay consistent, no matter what position you were in? What motivates you? What are your key qualities as an employee?
Hi Brett,
DeleteHow do you separate your values and beliefs from your work? I find it difficult to separate my values and beliefs from my work only because they are ingrained in who I am as a person. Also, I think that getting involved in the UCF volunteering program or any type of volunteering experience in general is a great way to improve your professional skills. Especially getting involved in volunteering that is related to what you are currently studying. You would be able to gain a hands on experience and an insight into what you may be doing in the future. Good luck with your future endeavors!
Kasey-Marie Pike
I understand where you are coming form and want to just graduate ans start your future career but you should really embrace what you are learning from your job now and how it can benefit you in the future. Experiential learning is great to place you in different job opportunities but they are to allow you to test different waters. I was in the same boat 2 years ago and have a decent job now that I could call a career but I plan to strive for bigger and better for myself.
DeleteThink about how your career goals have changed since you started college. Are they the same as when you first began or have jobs or classes you’ve had altered them? If you’ve already participated in internships or externships, how have those experiences helped your professional development?
ReplyDeleteMy career goals have changed since I started college. When I first started college at Valencia Community College my plan was to get my AA in Electronic Engineering then transfer to UCF and continue that degree. When I found out after physics 2 that I had to take physics 3, I changed my mind. I was making a c in physics 2 and I swear, even to this day, that my professor passed me because I was in his office everyday asking questions before class, and drove him nuts all semester. I changed my major then to Mathematics and when I got to UCF pursued a degree in Mathematics Education. After last fall was when I changed my major to IDS. I was going to be taking three classes for the third time, and I just could not continue on that path. I was in a horrible place and needed to change. When I changed my major though, I had just finished my Internship 1 experience and when I was changing my major I knew I was going to teach, I just had to find a different route. My internship was AMAZING!!! I had an awesome supervising teacher and on my last day she gave me a three inch binder full of resources and a letter of recommendation. It sealed the deal for me, and I knew I had found my passion in teaching.
When it comes to your professional life, what is your personal philosophy? Do you let you your values or your beliefs guide you? Is your philosophy interdisciplinary? What has been the driving force of your professional philosophy?
My personal philosophy is shown through my teaching philosophy “The core of my teaching style and philosophy is a concern for my students. I care deeply about each and every student and strive to help all students reach their potentials both as students of mathematics and as people.” I value that every student has the ability to learn no matter who they are, and that they can all succeed with a little help from me. I have always believed that no matter the circumstance you can overcome it with a little faith and push and you can achieve your goals. I do rely a lot on my faith in my personal life and I have learned over the years how to integrate it into my professional life without offending anyone. My philosophy is interdisciplinary because I am combining a social aspect and an education aspect into my philosophy. I think the driving force behind my professional philosophy is my past high school teachers that were the reason I became a teacher, and my faith.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you so much. I do feel blessed that I found my passion and stuck with it.
DeleteAshley,
DeleteI absolutely loved your reply to this week's blog topic. You have a good head on your shoulders and you followed your heart. I know for me when I graduated VCC, I decided that I wanted to be a fire medic, and pursue a career in search and rescue. I knew I would be good at it. However, the EMT program in Brevard was no longer funding financial aid for students, which would have cost 2000$ for the semester which I did not have.
I felt devastated and had to change everything. I then decided that I would continue my education and go to UCF. Now I can say I have no regrets, and I am excited to continue my education (something I did not think I would do) on through to Grad school next fall at UCF. Ultimately I want to be working for the Red Cross in the flood/disaster sector. I want to help disaster victims because I have been through it myself as I lost everything I had I Hurricane Francis. So everything happens for a reason, and it is great to see that light at the end of the tunnel. Like you said, its worth it to stick to our passions. I feel like am blessed too. :)
Suzanne Sanchez
Ashley & Suzanne,
DeleteI have a similar outlook and it really excites me to see and hear that others want to help. I want to work with a non-profit doing awareness advertising--I just really can't see myself working in a professional career where I am not doing anything to help others.
My mother is a teacher for children with learning disabilities and I feel that her passion for the work she was achieving with the kids is where I developed a love for wanting to help others. Everyone has the ability to create avenues for others to feel blessed and loved so why not live that.
I feel that most of my future is still up in the air as I still don't have a firm idea of what job I'd like to have after I graduate. I've tried different majors throughout college (Psychology and Digital Media), and while I gained experience through those, I didn't feel that they were right for me. I've had several different jobs, a few of which were in the school or education setting. I never had the goal of being a teacher but after working at the school, I confirmed that it wouldn't be at the top of my job list. At this point, I'm still eliminating jobs along the way, as I figure out that they aren't right for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope to find a job that will be fulfilling and enjoyable. Everyone aspires for this but it seems like few people achieve it. I think it would benefit me to keep trying different things and possibly attend a few club meetings - possibly the Sport Business Club or Advertising Club. These are things that interest me although I haven't explored them fully yet. I also think it would be beneficial to join a service club such as Habitat for Humanity or UKnighted for a Cure. Although these aren't directly related to finding a job, it would assist in networking.
Mary,
DeleteI hope that you find a career that makes you happy one day! Have you tried going to any of the career workshops UCF holds on campus? Maybe that could be a resource to help you decide what you would like to do in the future. You could also join a service club like you mentioned or go out and volunteer on your own. Not only would these opportunities assist in networking, but they will also be able to gain a hands on experience in whatever field you decide to volunteer in without having the hassle of trying to find a job. Volunteering can help you open up so many opportunities to find out what career fields are out there all the while you can help the community.
Kasey-Marie Pike
Mary,
DeleteI would recommend going to UCF Career Services. A friend of mine did this, she made an appointment and then went and took a survey/exam type of assessment and based on the assessment they gave her a list of careers that would interest her. She took that list and began exploring her options and is now doing her graduate studies in Social Work and is very happy. It helped her to find her path, maybe it can help you find your direction or at least give you options in what would be best for you. Career Services can also help you find internships and jobs in those fields so you can explore them.
Good Luck,
Ashley
Mary, I think there is value in pruning away careers that aren't right for you until you find something that motivates you. It is all lessons learned. Sounds like you are gaining a variety of skills along the way.
DeleteMary, you are on the right track. Keep trying different jobs until you find the right one. Life is full of opportunities and you just have to keep trying until you know what the best job is for you. Only you can decide what makes you happy. Live a life full of happiness. Find out what your passion is and let that guide your career.
DeleteI agree with Christine and Maegan you have to follow your dreams and sometimes they are not clear at first but then something snaps into place and you find your path. The great thing is being able to have the opportunity to change your profession and try different ones, because later in life you do no know what each experience you can use in your future career.
DeleteLisette Cintron
Mary, I know exactly how you're feeling. For me, when I first started in school, I had no idea what exactly I wanted to do. My family pressured me to major in business, and I hated it. I worked an office job that was absolutely memorable and while I was working there, I made a list of jobs I could never, EVER do if I wanted to maintain my sanity (sitting in a cubicle for seven hours a day surrounded by white walls was killing me!). So for me, like you, along the way I have eliminated jobs I don't want to do and now I know what exactly I plan on doing. I wish you the best of luck!
DeleteBrianna Gonzalez
Mary,
DeleteDo not feel like you are alone in this scenario. There are so many students that are still unsure of their ultimate goal and future. You being in school is the main part of the puzzle, and you just need that one piece that is missing that will finish the entire puzzle. You will find that piece and so much more. As long as you find something you do have interest in, everything else seems to fall in place. Being an Interdisciplinary major is perfect in that we have more choices and more options to work with. I know sometimes it seems overwhelming, but not to worry that it all works out in the end. You will be graduating from UCF, now that will be a great accomplishment. You might even decide to continue to grad school as I am. I am sure you will do great things. I really admire your commitment for staying true to your path, than just grabbing any degree.
Oh and by the way, I do suggest trying out Habitat for Humanity or something similar. I volunteered at A Grateful Mind International, and it was amazing! This organization feeds the homeless, clothing, shelter, educational programs, and so forth. I want to continue to vulunteer for them in the future. Great people!
Suzanne Sanchez
Since the moment I started college, even before that I knew what I have wanted to do. My goal to one day become a dentist has not changed. In order to achieve that goal I have gotten involved in a pre-health professional co-ed fraternity. Involvement in this fraternity has greatly increased my professional skills. As a professional fraternity we are expected to build our professional skill not only interacting with each other, but also with the community. Throughout this experience I’ve noticed that my strongest professional skills are being organized and resilient. My weakest skill is initial communication with authoritative figures. I’ve gotten better at speaking with officials, but I still have room for improvement.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to my professional life, I believe that respect and tenacity is key. Professionals should know how to be polite yet stern in their decisions and not to be afraid to do what is needed to get a task done. I believe that my philosophy is interdisciplinary because I draw my view from many different sources. My personal philosophy has stemmed from my experience with professionalism as well as my values and beliefs.
Kasey-Marie Pike
Kasey-Marie,
DeleteWhat are your personal values and beliefs? Do you find it hard to separate them from your professional life? I find it difficult in some situations to separate them, especially when I am in the classroom. I care so much for the kids I have worked with and as a teacher you have to be so careful on how you show you care. Many of my beliefs are driven by my faith and it can make it really difficult to separate that from professional and personal.
Ashley
Hi Kasey-Marie,
DeleteIt's great that you have goals that are focused and that you're working hard to pursue them. It's also great that you're in a fraternity that is helping you achieve those career goals. I'm an older student and never considered joining a sorority or fraternity and I guess one too many bad '80s movies made me forget what they were actually there for.
It's good that you recognize that you have some issues with authority figures because it gives you time to learn how to address it now, rather than on the job. Being a dentist will likely put you in control a lot of the time, but of course you'll have to deal with partners as well as patients and you don't want to burn bridges by being impatient with them when they have a request or complaint. Of course you should always be true to yourself but sometimes you have to know that you're right while you respectfully allow the other person to have their say. That will give you a chance to think and respond, rather than to just react and say something you might regret.
Ashley, I agree as a future (possibly)it is hard to show you care. I know that I had to do observational hours observing classes and one thing that all the teachers say is that youhave to be so careful how you interact with the kids because it can be an issue.
DeleteLisette Cintron
I think it's admirable that you've always known what you wanted to do (which is be a dentist). I wish I was like that! I've always struggled with trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I've wanted to be just about everything, from a movie producer to a veterinarian to an interior designer. I think your involvement in that fraternity is really great, and will really prove to be helpful to you in the long run.
DeleteBrianna Gonzalez
Kasey,
DeleteI respect that you are committed to your vision and your career path. You are right respect is very important in professional careers. I also feel that leaders must lead with an open mind.
A book we are reading in class called "Th Art of possibility" is amazing. This book is written by a true leaders. They are humble and open minded. Throughout the book both authors are very insightful about how to effectively communicate. Creating innovative and creative ways to reach their students and also touching lives of all kinds of people throughout their journey. I learned a lot by reading it as well.The book also conveys to us about lightening up in life. I really like that. :)
Suzanne Sanchez
Think about how your career goals have changed since you started college. Are they the same as when you first began or have jobs or classes you’ve had altered them? If you’ve already participated in internships or externships, how have those experiences helped your professional development?
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to your professional life, what is your personal philosophy? Do you let you your values or your beliefs guide you? Is your philosophy interdisciplinary? What has been the driving force of your professional philosophy?
Yes I do let my personal beliefs about life guide me and have done so a lot. My current philosophy is interdisciplinary because I feel I apply many different subjects to where I am in my work force today, as well as my education. The driving force of my professional philosophy has been the urge to want to learn more and know more altogether
In your response, please answer some of the questions presented throughout the post and identify two opportunities to increase and improve your professional skills while you are at UCF.
Two Opportunities to to increase or improve or increase your skills are certain workshops that you can attend, and also when you graduate if you are planning on beginning a business UCF has an incubator program where they basically help you get your business up and running. I think my strongest professional goal is being able to coach and help others, and my weakest professional goal I feel is that sometimes I allow worry to get in the way like if I make one little mistake I may get fired.
Think about how your career goals have changed since you started college. Are they the same as when you first began or have jobs or classes you’ve had altered them? If you’ve already participated in internships or externships, how have those experiences helped your professional development?
DeleteMy jobs are the same since I have began college, although my classes have had a strong impact on what I think I may want to do. I have not participated in any internships or externships.
I did an Internship and I highly recommend everyone do an Internship if you can. It was a wonderful experience and it solidified that I was where I was supposed to be and following the path that I should be. It is better to answer questions you have now while you can still change things then having to start all over again.
DeleteKasey what are your professional beliefs? and do you feel that being a dentist is certain because of money or do you feel you still need to be interdisciplinary and do a little more exploring. Respect is definitely a great aspect to have in the work force and I think many other people lack that, therefore allowing you to be successful. Try going to some seminars and seeing if there is anything else you like.
ReplyDeletePauline
Mary-
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have a good layout of checking other things out. I want to mention something and emphasize on it however, do not stress yourself out too much about not knowing what you want to do with your college career. I am actually a senior here at UCF and I am yet to know 100% what I would like to do, As i mentioned there are many seminars, there are also UCF advisors that may be able to guide you, and a career center. My best advice to you is to also see what your passions are by exploring different opportunities. Also, allow yourself time to go to different places and see what you like and I wish you the best of Luck.
Pauline
Thanks Pauline. I am a senior too - hopefully graduating in December :) It is comforting that the job market is so different now, that most people don't keep one job for their entire life like they used to. That seems so final, and there's so much room for change now.
DeleteGood advice, Pauline. I'm also going to be a senior after this semester, and I don't know for sure what I want to do after I graduate yet either. I'll definitely be checking out as many campus resources as possible, though. Also, I plan on attending a couple career fairs in the near future as well to see what options are out there.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my career goals have changed since I started working versus starting college. That is one of the reasons that I started to go to college. Being in the workforce made me realize what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be as my career. Starting school and taking some of required courses like observational hours in a classroom environment gave me some experience and some idea of what my profession would entail. Until then I pretty much just doing the daily requirements that my job requires, but I take every opportunity as a learning experience that I could possible look back on and use in the future in my profession. I think that it is a belief that I try to live by because not every situation is a bad situation it can be looked in a different way such as learning situation. That value is something that I believe can be an interdisciplinary philosophy because it's just not one way of thinking and looking at things.
ReplyDeleteLisette Cintron
I completely agree with you. Once I started working, I really realized what I wanted to do and knew what classes I wanted to take in school and what to major in. In my experience, when I first started school I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise, and people were very critical of me. Once I started working, I knew exactly what I wanted to do and what I definitely didn't want to do. Now, like you, I take every opportunity I get as a learning experience.
DeleteBrianna Gonzalez
Lisette, I agree. There is a switch that flips at some point. I guess just growing up :) Going to college and having a job definitely gives you discipline. It's easy to do the bare minimum, but it doesn't get you very far.
DeleteBrianna, I also didn't know what I wanted to do for a career when I first started school. Honestly it felt like it was too far off to seriously think about at the time. Now that I'm a little older and have slightly more knowledge about the world, I wish I would've planned better but at least now I know what I want out of my education and future career.
DeleteWhen I started school, I wanted to be a dancer when I graduated. I was going to dance on a cruise ship. I wanted to be a dancer at a theme park in Japan where I could continue to live abroad and travel. As soon as I was done with my dance career, I was going to have my own dance studio. In my dance studio I was going to work with handicapped students. I had even begun to take Psychology and Special Education classes in addition to my dance classes. I honestly don't know what happened. I went out to do an internship, I had a rough personal experience, and it all slipped away. I still study aspects of Psychology as a focus in my major. I study Business. If I went back to dance classes, I could still follow through with this plan. I used to be very passionate about it too. I designed my website for it and everything!
DeleteNow I'm extremely lost. I don't know what I want to do. I'm technically a senior, and I'm pretty lost. I do know that I don't want to work at a ride for the rest of my life.
Elizabeth Elder
My professional philosophy is driven by values and expectations. I could not do anything that strictly violated my conscience. I have to feel good about what I am doing. I need to believe that what I am doing is good for everyone, that people will benefit from my work, and no one will be hurt. I would never take a promotion that I did not feel I would be able to put my best foot forward in because that would hurt everyone, especially a better qualified candidate who would have excelled in that position. As a general rule of thumb, I feel that one should never act as if they do not have something to prove. I really believe that everyone can get better no matter what their status is. Maybe, I have the operational aspect of my job down pat, but do I have to work on my interpersonal skills? Maybe I have great customer service skills, but do I need to improve my efficiency? I never thought to view my philosophy as interdisciplinary. I don't think that my philosophy is interdisciplinary. I just think it's functional.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Elder
Elizabeth, I completely agree with your statement regarding others benefiting from your work. I have the hope of working with a non-profit to advertise and bring awareness.
DeleteRegarding the promotion situation you mention, I am currently in the process of deciding on whether or not to take a job, if it is offered to me, due to a variety of reasons. I haven't interviewed yet, but am scheduled to this week and am having reservations already. Weighing out the pros and cons has been a challenge.
Part of the reason I had never participated in clubs is because crowds make me nervous. I have always been fairly introverted. I have never been one of those people who could look at a crowd and picture them naked because I'd start to feel naked with them, and it would go downhill from there. When I started school, I got a job, and I made a few friends. I have never participated in a single club. It's a little sad because I showed up to info sessions, and I had a lot of club leaders reach out to try and get me to participate. I just never showed up because of the anxiety. One of the reasons I started working for Disney is because there is such a high guest count. It has made me more comfortable talking to strangers and being around people. It's funny that I have acquired these skills and this comfort level now that I am a senior. Looking back, I regret never really taking the opportunity to join clubs and interact with people outside of my workplace. It would have been so much more enriching.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Elder
I am currently working in my third internship within my field. I have worked previously coordinating events and working for a magazine as the Social Media & Public Relations Director. I currently work at an entertainment label doing a variety of tasks.
ReplyDeleteI believe throughout all of my internships I have been able to use my strongest qualities--communications, organization, creativity and public understanding.
When I first started college I was interested in a communication field, however, just always assumed I would attend nursing school. After taking my first Advertising course, I fell in love. I have taken various courses and have chosen Mass Communications, Business Administration and Sociology.
Throughout my years volunteering, working, interning and attending school I have always been guided by my values and beliefs. I plan to continue that guidance onto my professional career with the sense that I am who I am because of what I have experienced and what I believe. I believe my philosophy could be considered interdisciplinary due to the integration I experience within my academic, professional and spiritual life where the driving force has been a Christian background.