My Strengths
Throughout ENGL 301, I have recognized three strengths in my learning process. My first strength is that I am not afraid to ask questions when I am uncertain about something. There have been a few instances throughout the semester where I have been unsure about a particular assignment, and in these situations, I have contacted my ENGL 301 instructor, Dr. Paterson, for clarification. My second strength is that I am always willing to listen to advice from my peers and instructors. Implementing suggestions made from my writing team members during peer reviews of my assignments has not only improved my work, but has also allowed me to recognize flaws and errors in my writing. My third strength is that I am always eager to learn new things. I have enjoyed learning writing techniques such as YOU-attitude and how to professionally write memos, peer reviews, proposals, reports, etc.
Two strengths I believe I have in regards to my assignments are that they are appropriately detailed and that the effort I put into them are clear to see. With each assignment, I do my best to be specific and provide the necessary details. Furthermore, I approach each assignment thoughtfully and complete them to the best of my abilities.
My Weaknesses
During ENGL 301, I have also identified three weaknesses in regards to my learning process and assignments. The first weakness of mine is that I lack strong time management skills. Unfortunately, throughout the semester I have submitted a few assignments past the deadline, as I struggle with starting the assignments at the appropriate time. However, I hope to improve this weakness going forward by breaking down tasks into smaller steps and by setting realistic daily goals. Another weakness of mine is that my assignments can lack conciseness out of fear of not providing an adequate level of detail. I hope to improve this weakness by leaving myself enough time to proofread my assignments for wordy phases and unnecessary words. My third weakness is that I can focus too much on one particular aspect of an assignment. For example, for the Unit 2 peer review assignment, I focused too much on commenting on the form of the document, as opposed to the content. However, I do think I improved at commenting on the overall quality and content in my Unit 3 peer review.
How My Strengths Support My Future Goals
My long-term career goal is to enter the tech industry as a software developer, and I believe my strengths complement a career in software development. Asking lots of questions is essential for developers as it promotes a deeper understanding of the task or project at hand, and clarifying requirements for a particular project will ensure that the end-user is satisfied with the end result. Furthermore, listening to advice is important in any industry, as it opens your mind to new knowledge and different ways to approach a task. Moreover, being eager to learn new things is crucial for developers, as the tech industry is dynamic and developers are constantly learning new technologies. Additionally, being detail-oriented is a key component of software development, as even the simplest syntax typos will cause errors in programs. Lastly, putting forth consistent effort is highly important in any industry, as it allows us to reach our maximum potential.