Self Assessment.

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Self Assessment and Reflection Paper

Abstract

The amount of one's success can best be determined simply by understanding their style. By style, I am not speaking of a particular hairstyle or way of dress, but of a learning style. Learning styles are different approaches to learning. Just as one's personality can be as unique as that individual, so can one's learning style. Properly identifying an individual's learning style can help to facilitate effective learning. I believe that one never stops learning. We have the opportunity to learn every moment of our lives, be in the time of day or the secret to growing old gracefully. Therefore, I am committed to being a lifelong learner. With that, I accept the fact that I may face many challenges and opportunities for growth.

Personal Learning Style

The amount of one's success can best be determined simply by understanding their style. By style, I am not speaking of a particular hairstyle or way of dress, but of a learning style.

Learning styles are different approaches to learning. And just as one's personality can be as unique as that individual, so can one's learning style. Properly identifying an individual's learning style can help to facilitate effective learning.

Learning styles are broken down into three components: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. Visual learners learn through seeing. Auditory learners learn through listening. Kinesthetic learners learn through moving, doing or touching.

Visual learners utilize visualized information as a picture to aid in memory. They

tend to prefer face-to-face conversations, as they need to see body language and facial expressions to fully understand the content of a conversation. In a classroom setting, they learn best when pictures, charts and maps, are used as opposed to written material. Visual learners often take detailed notes filled with diagrams and illustrations.

Auditory learners learn best through listening to verbal communication. Auditory

learners are able to identify underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. They prefer to participate in classroom discussions and debates.

Kinesthetic learners learn best through a hands-on approach. They tend to learn best by physically experiencing the lesson being taught. Kinesthetic learners prefer to stay active and may become distracted by their need for exploration, if sitting for long periods.

After utilizing the learning styles chart taken from Colin Rose's Accelerated Learning (1987), I was able to determine that I am a visual learner. Which upon reflection makes sense, as I am often that person in the first row at school straining my neck to see the professor as he delivers his lecture. I prefer face-to face conversation, as opposed to speaking over the telephone. And as I review my colorfully highlighted notes that document every detail of the professor's lecture, my learning style is confirmed.

Strengths & Opportunities

The fact that I am a visual learner is evident in my everyday interactions. I believe that my learning style not only enhances my strengths but may also contribute to some of my areas cited for growth.

Upon assessing my strengths the most prominent strength is my strong inter-personal skills. My ability to interact with diverse individuals has been a key factor in the advancement of my career goals. When holding a conversation with another individual, I prefer to keep eye contact and observe facial expressions to determine the success of the conversation. This behavior exhibits not only a trait of confidence, it also acknowledges my good listening skills, which are two key factors when networking.

I am also very detail oriented. I fear that this strength may also be seen as a weakness. My learning team may testify to this, as my ability to call attention to the finer, sometimes missed details of class assignments became a common trait in our conference calls. However, being detail oriented is key within my everyday life activities. Like most professionals, I face the daily challenge of squeezing a twenty eight hour workday into twenty four hours, the ability to be detail oriented is key.

Opportunities for Growth and Strategies

I believe that one never stops learning. We have opportunity to learn every moment of our lives, be in the time of day or the secret to growing old gracefully. Therefore, I am committed to being a lifelong learner. With that, I accept the fact that I may face many challenges and opportunities for growth.

I believe that my decision to pursue a Master's degree speaks to my dedication to lifelong learning. Further, I believe that the attainment of a graduate degree will not only allow for a competitive advantage in career advancement, it will also allow for an increase in salary requirement, and offer an enhancement of professional and personal growth as it pertains to the advancement of my career goals.

Another opportunity for growth is in the area of my communication skills. Often considered a strong speaker, I believe that there are areas that do call for improvement, such as public speaking, vocabulary and language articulation. I feel that as the opportunities for me to speak publicly continue to grow, I become more comfortable with it. I think that my true challenge is facing the nervousness that often comes over me as I face a new crowd of faces. Prior to a speaking engagement I practice in front of a mirror and ultimately in front of a group of friends. This has proven to be a beneficial activity, as it allows me to get constructive criticism. I am confident about how I speak to others in a professional environment, however at times I find myself at a loss for words. At first, I thought that maybe it was age starting to take affect. However, I soon realized that my vocabulary was not as advanced as it is required to be in a professional environment.

Finally, I believe that the knowledge of a second language is not only necessary but also imperative, in order to stay competitive in the current job market. Ultimately, I would like to pursue an international assignment within my employer's global network.

I feel very fortunate that I am an employee for General Motors Corporation. General Motors offers its employees many learning resources. I have had the opportunity to participate in different classes, lectures and professional workshops conducted by various organizations throughout General Motors.

I feel that the most beneficial learning resource is General Motor's Mentorship Program. Upon hiring into General Motors I have been assigned a mentor. My mentor is an upper level executive, that I am able to utilize to help enhance my personal and professional growth. My mentor has enabled me with priceless information and learning opportunities.

Another way of improvement is by keeping myself updated on news and current events. I read daily newspapers and utilize the internet to gain access to other knowledge based resources.

I am confident that use of all of these tools will allow me to continue to remain competitive in today's job market. They will also open the door for enhancement both personally and professionally, allowing for ultimate attainment of my career goals.

References

Rose, Colin (1987). Accelerated Learning. Retrieved September 5, 2003, from

http://www.chaminade.org/inspire/learnstyle.htm

The Vancouver Island Invisible Disability Association's (VIDA). Learning Styles and

Multiple Intelligence. Retrieved September 5, 2003, from

http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.mi.htm