- What is something you have learned to do well (list a skill)?
I can take effective notes.
- What is something you know about (list some knowledge/expertise you have)?
I know about teaching and learning strategies. I also know about research strategies.
- What is something you have a natural ability to do well (list a talent)?
I am good at remembering information. I have a strong memory.
- How could you combine these to describe a specific strength?
I am good at learning new information.
- In your own words, what do these top 4 qualities tell you about yourself?
I'm careful, in more ways than one. I do things slowly and deliberately. I take my time and pay attention to details. I am thoughtful and analytical. Sometimes I overanalyze to the point of being anxious or self-depricating. I like to have a well-thoughtout plan.
- Do they resonate with you? Why/why not?
In general, yes. I think many aspects of the results resonate with how I think of myself.
- How do they relate to the strength you wrote about in Prompt #1?
Part of how I learn involves taking quality notes, carefully considering which information is most essential, and being thorough. I believe that these qualties have helped me be successful.
- What can make it challenging to recognize your strengths? How can you work through those challenges?
I tend to be self-critical. I am more aware of my flaws than my strengths. I also don't want to come off as arrogant, so I err toward self-depricating comments. I try to work through this by being mindful and deliberate. Sometimes a practice like this, where you are literally sitting and listing/explaining your own strengths, is a great way to recognize them.
- Do you ever see yourself overusing certain strengths? In what circumstances would you want to use them less and amplify other strengths? How could you adjust your approach in those instances?
Sometimes. Sometimes I am so analytical that it gets in the way of action. I sometimes "over think" a situation. There are times when it would be beneficial to just get started and be more action-oriented. This feels like something in which I will simply have to make a conscious decision, as it does not come to me natually.
- Write 1-2 sentences describing how you like to work (i.e., Do you pre-plan? Do you talk through your ideas first? Do you work better with deadlines? How do you stay organized?)
I like to be thoughtful, pro-active, and organized. I really enjoy knowing exactly what it is I need to do, and having an idea of how I will do it. I like clear deadlines, objectives, and to-do lists. I like to plan out how and when I will do each part of something. Checkboxes are useful.
- How could you describe these working preferences to your project teammates? Your mentor? Your instructors?
I would describe them as I did in the previous question. I would let my teammates know that I prefer to break things down, to have a plan, to have deadlines and timeframes. I also understand that I have to be flexible. Sometimes things don't go according to plan, and that's ok, but I work best if I have a well-conceived plan as a starting point. Also, in team situations, it's good for each teammate to have clearly defined responsibilities. It prevents confusion and inefficiency.
- What would you need to be aware of when working with people who have different strengths from you?
Not everyone works the same way I do. Although their different approach my seems frustrating to me, it doesn't mean it's any less useful or valuable. Patience and compromise will go a long way. Asking people to communicate their own strengths and preferences will help.
- How could your Pairin results help you better understand your everyday working preferences?
Reflection exercises, like the one I am currently completing, will help me apply my Pairin results to my everyday work preferences.
- Is there any particular strength you’d like to sharpen while you’re at Turing? Any area you consider a weakness that you’d like to strengthen?
I would like to be more calm and confident. While self-relfection is a strength, I would like to be less critical of my self. I don't always give myself enough credit or confidence.
- What are some steps you could take here?
I hope to accomplish this by being mindful and proactive. The more prepared and thoughtful I am, the calmer and more confident I will feel. As far as mindfulness, this will require regular reminders and focus.
- How could you be aware of progress you’re making?
Keeping and reviewing my career journal will allow me to make my progress more visible and tangible.