What is challenging about self-reflection?
Self-reflection takes time and turning a critical eye on yourself in a constructive way which is something we don't often make time for in our day to day lives. Self-relection is a practice. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
How can you continue to build the habit of self-reflection at Turing?
I often reflect back on the day or if I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed I will reflect at lunch about the morning and make assessments of my self in smaller increments. I try to reflect on each day and what went well and what didn't, but some days are more full than others! I have to check in with my self and my feelings, and be good at acknowledging them as they are happening, before I can then move onto steps of reflection and consequently the action steps to moving forward or fixing things.
First, create you own social identity map on a piece of paper (or print this out):
Outer ring: write words that describe your given identity
Middle ring: list aspects of your chosen identity
Center: write your core attributes—traits, behaviors, beliefs, values, characteristics, and skills that you think make you >unique as an individual. Select things that are enduring and key to who you are.
After you complete your map:
Underline the items that are important to you
Put a + beside the items that you believe clearly demonstrate that you fit into the tech industry
Put a - beside the items that you believe do not demonstrate that you fit into the tech industry
Put a ? beside the items that you’re unsure how they could show your ability to contribute to the tech industry
What does your social identity tell you about what you already bring to the tech industry?
I already possess many qualities that are valued in tech/the workforce in general. I have a lot of the soft skills that are commonly sought after in professional spaces.
What would it look like for some of your minuses or question marks to turn into pluses? In other words, how could some of these traits be assets for the tech industry?
It would be amazing if all of my listed traits became pluses, it would make me feel so much more confident going into the tech industry after this process. I think that there are ways I can leverage all of my traits into plus signs, its just going to be about figuring out how those traits can support my strength as a developer. I think the answer of how these things will become pluses is going to take some time to figure out.
Pull out 5 values for each bullet below from this list: Always valued: Being in control, Creativity, Humor, Helping Others, Problem Solving Often valued: Accomplishment, Advendutre, Commitment, Independence, Impacting People Sometimes valued: Perfection, Silence, Simplicity, Winning, Affiliation Seldom valued: Faith, Marriage, Perfection, Patriotism, Purity
What do these values tell you about yourself?
Going through the list some things were much easier to sort than others. There are definitely things that I value more than others but also things I value more strongly in each section. A lot of these things I already knew about myself but there was definitely a lot of things I hadn't considered. I had to spend some time really assessing whether or not certain things mattered to me!
Summarize what good, worthwhile work means to you (Tip: this is NOT about what work you want to do but about why work matters to you):
Work first and foremost will be to create financial stability in my life. But in doing that I want to find a way to be making a change. I want my work to be bettering or simplifying life for others, helping others, and leaving a lasting impact on the world.
Lifeview: summarize what you value in life; what matters to you?
In life I value kindness, supporting others, connecting with people, and celebrating moments of shared experience. I want to create a life for myself that is fullfilling and full of joy.
Where do your views on work and life complement each other?
There are a lot of compliments in my work and lifeview. I want to help people and create a kinder, more inclusive world. I want to effect change both with strangers/others(work) and with my friends/family(life).
Where do they clash?
I think the clash comes in not building in time for myself and my self care. I don't want my job to take away from my personal relationships. I want to have the freedom to explore things outside of work and expand on my own experessions of happiness.
Does one drive the other? How?
Not at the moment, I would say. I think I am pursuing a workview that will greatly support and compliment my idea lifeview.
@kristenmb, Thank you for making time to complete the journals for weeks 1 and 2. I know that Week 3 is A LOT - so be sure to continue setting aside time to complete journals for the rest of the inning. Super pumped to hear that you recognize the value in asking questions. The most valuable skill that a new dev brings to a team IS their questions. I'll be curious to hear how that's been going in the M1 class!