Building skills to get the job I want in 5 Years

 

This week I learned what soft skills are required to work in IT. As mentioned in this week's video (what are soft skills) "Soft skills will get you promoted as long as there is consistency". As I learn more skills during this program I can see myself pursuing an education in software coding. My soft skills are in good standing due to developing them through many other jobs I have had prior. I need to work on my hard technical skills in order to get the job I want. While I attend Seattle central I think my teamwork and communication skills will develop more as I have learned that in order to get some assignments done I need to work in groups. 

Personally, I think my conflict management skill needs a little improvement. I will work on this by utilizing my present job and using feedback from management to learn how to improve on this skill. I am working on taking some online courses in order to get the entry skills needed to apply for jobs I am interested in. I hope that 5 years from now, I am working in the job I want and also be happy enjoying life with family and close friends. Regardless of where I find myself in 5 years, the path to get there will be a fun experience. 

citations:

Lyon, A. (2021, April 22). What are soft skills? top 8. YouTube. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://youtu.be/hZSARM4VaVs Doyle, A. (2021, February 24). Top it soft skills that employers look for. LiveAbout. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.liveabout.com/top-information-technology-it-soft-skills-2063781

Human Center design is a great way to include everyone

 

In this week's learning videos, I have understood that there are creations specially designed to include everyone. I think is great that with these designs everyone is able to feel included or just to be able to have a convenient life. I think about what I learned and I can see around my household and find things that were designated with human needs in mind, also not only at my house but on our streets as well.

I think is great how it on the video it breaks down the concept and the phases it takes before it begans.I like how it involves multiple people at different phases so the outcome product is guided towards to people to make life easier. As i learn more my mind has started to see and think differently from before starting this program. I can say that I hope one day i can contribute to this project by either working for a company that is working on this Human center designs.  

Citations:

org, ideo. (2015, November 12). What is human centered design? YouTube. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://youtu.be/musmgKEPY2o  Devexplains: What is human-centered design - and why does it matter? YouTube. (2016, November 18). Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://youtu.be/0bxtEqM2TQU  Inclusive design: From the pixel to the city. YouTube. (2014, July 28). Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://youtu.be/U5hRXwPE5a4

Eventually the Gap of the digital divide will Close

 This week I have learned a little more about the Digital Divide. It's interesting how big the Digital divide really is. I had an idea of what it was but needed to determine the extent of what it really meant. While watching one of this week's videos "The Digital Divide by Arjun Linglala"  I learned that hundreds of thousands of people still don't have a device to use the internet or even have access to the internet. 

Not only is difficult for these people to have the same advantages to succeed as we do, but since we do have all this access sometimes we take it for granted. Although, I do think part of not having this access boils down to financial status. I mean that some people like us living in the USA can have a smartphone and phone service and internet access with a laptop or home desktop even if we work minimum jobs just because there are many ways to get them. While on the other hand, other countries do not facilitate people to get these devices and access to the internet. 

I do like the idea that contributing a little bit can make a change in closing the Digital Divide. I think learning what we can do or reaching out to people in organizations who are already working to close this Gap can help start our own contribution. It can be as simple as recycling and donating old devices to people in need. 

Citations:

Linglala, A. (2022, April 5). The digital divide: Arjun Linglala: Tedxchelmsfordhs. YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://youtu.be/IZe4AoZ2Pv8 youngmoo, kim. (2019, June 24). Getting woke to the digital divide: Youngmoo Kim: Tedxphiladelphia. YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://youtu.be/9d5R5ZjRzsc

Technology is helpful but what is really the cost

 

Every day technology is advancing at such a high speed that it is hard to keep up with it. By the time we use an app or find out about some appliance that has technology integrated sometimes is too late since a new version of it has already come out. During this week's learning video I was able to understand that sometimes having too much technology is not such a great thing even though it might make our daily life easier. While we do utilize apps and appliances to make life easier is our privacy safe? I never really gave a thought before about how safe my online data is, to be honest, but as I learn more from this course I can see how it can affect me later in life. 

I got to start reading the fine print of apps I use so I know how my information is been used. Even doing all this sometimes is not enough to be protected on the internet. I do think that no matter how hard we try safety is sometimes the last of our concerns as long as our life is a little bit easier. I know using the internet nowadays is just crucial in our life but is the cost of our privacy really worth it?

Citations:

Duffy, J. (2016, May 21). The internet of things: Jordan Duffy: TEDxSouthBank. YouTube. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://youtu.be/mzy84Vb_Gxk Barker, R. (2018, April 5). Internet of things: Are smart devices helping or harming?: Rose Barker: TEDxSalem. YouTube. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://youtu.be/ipdTLJcIkWI

It's Great to see how far Universal Desing Learning has progress

 

I had an idea of what UDL was, but I never really thought about who and how it was created. In this week's learning, I got the answer to both questions. It amazes me that sometimes all it takes is one person to create something that can change the whole world. This concept is so great because everyone benefits from it. This can be observed in our everyday life. For example, while crossing the street, nowadays most crossings make either a noise, phrase or a countdown in order to notify you is safe to cross. 

It's interesting how this concept has also been applied to our learning path. By giving the students the power to choose, it is easier now to include everyone in the learning. Not only does it become easier to learn but it empowers the students to follow what best benefits them. In this short span of time, I have come to realize that I have taken Ownership of my life to a degree that was not there before. Taking the opportunity to really take the time to do my own research and learn besides what is been taught in class has not only helped me grow as a person but also has taught me ideas/information that I would not come across if not taking this learning opportunity. 

Citations:

Spencer, J. (2021, August 24). What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)? YouTube. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://youtu.be/NL2xPwDrGqQ Wolske, M. (2020). Person-centered guide to demystifying technology: Working together to observe/ question/ design/ prototype/ and implement/reject technology in support of people's valued beings and doings. Windsor & Downs Press.

Balancing my life while I try to Own it!

 

This week's learning videos and reading material hit close to home. Honestly, saying "There's never enough time" sometimes is true but on certain occasions is just a lack of poor planning or a case of procrastination. I liked both videos because they show the perspective of two different individuals pursuing different careers yet still trying their best. One is balancing their life to enjoy it as much as possible, while still trying to learn and the other is sharing their perspective that education is not just from an institution but around us in our everyday life. 

As I write this week's reflection, I sit back and try to think about how I am balancing and trying to Own my life. As I compare myself to what others normally do, it seems to me that I don't fit into the category. For Instance, I am writing this blog at around 3am. While most people are asleep I am utilizing the time and tranquility in order to focus and finish work that during the day I would not be able to get done.

I have also found that effective planning helps when trying to balance life, school, and work. I need to practice this skill more because it's easy to plan but staying consistent in checking and sticking to the planning is indeed hard, especially when other things come up that might require immediate attention. Well when all is said and done, I think I am on a good path in order to Owning my life.

Citation:

 Yip, A. (2020, December 28). Finding balance at medical school: Getting your life sorted 😵. YouTube. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://youtu.be/c6gQj_Bl2-U. Kyerewaa. (2022, October 17). What it means to own your education. YouTube. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://youtu.be/n1N4t4wz0aw

Tech World

 

This week has been very busy, but very informative. While doing the reading "Critical Thinking: How do you own it?" I found it exciting the way how it showed what task would a person be able to perform if they have Critical thinking skills. I also liked this week's video regarding how to choose a tech career. I did like how in the video it was explained that working in Tech can be categorized as either working individually or working in teams and what positions would get you there. Although the video was a little vague I also understood that there are sometimes growth and salary caps for some tech positions. 

I also found it very informative that some of the Tech positions required higher educational degrees or certain experience years in order to even apply. I did like though how it was also explained that in Tech what really matters is having the right skills and when choosing a job making sure the skill you learn are transferable to the new position one is applying. All said and done, This week was a good one because not only did I learn new skills, but I learned about what positions I might be interested in pursuing a tech job and also what really Critical Thinking is, and how it will benefit me moving forward when choosing a new job opportunity or even in my everyday life.

Citations: Stone, M. (2014). Own your education!: A student's guide to greater success in school (and life). Pearson.

Sandra. (2022, April 10). Choosing the best tech career for you: How to choose a career in Tech, what to consider, pay, skills. YouTube. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://youtu.be/D9ah6jXoO7M