Final Reflection Questions

in complete sentences
The following should also be expounded upon

1. While writing your paper, what did you learn about the research process?
- Throughout the research process, I learned that I ended up needing many more
sources than I thought. The topic I selected was broad and the myriad of sources
that I chose all related to the topic in different ways with different angles. When I
started researching, I also found that credible sources with relevant material were
very difficult to find. Many of the sources on NC WiseOwl were very short and
irrelevant. I also learned how to write the paper with a process and not all in one
sitting. Keeping track of sources was also very tough for me

2. How was the research related to your mentor hours?

- The research I conducted during the Pride paper was directly related to the mentor
hours I completed. The majority of my research was completed in the field of
management and logistics. My mentor fit directly as he is a manager currently and
deals with logistics on a daily basis. When I was briefed on my mentors
responsibilities and roles in the company he was using vocabulary I was already
familiar with because of the research I conducted. My mentor was very impressed
with my familiarity concerning the subject. Without the research, I would have
been lost in the workplace and we would have had to spend an abundant amount
of time explaining material I should have already known.

3. Summarize the mentor hours that you completed.

- After meeting at 8:00 AM, I was brought up to his office and was immediately
briefed on the history of the company. He then explained his day to day
responsibilities which includes analyzing and understanding reports from
coworkers. We then discussed the premise of the project and reviewed which
direction I was headed for the product. When our discussion ended I was passed
to a peer of my mentor, Tim Brady. He explained his role in the company which
was to manage domestic fraud cases that sprang from credit card usage.
Throughout our next meeting, we planned to work on the product and find ways
that his experience could help me best. He showed me key components and
inputs to create a successful staffing plan. After laying the foundation for my
product, we broke for lunch. During lunch we discussed how he got his start in
the industry and how stress affected the job.

4. How did working with your mentor affect your understanding of the topic area and /or the
professional world?
b. If your mentor contributed to the development of the product, how were they involved?
- My mentor was heavily involved in the development of my product. He was
the one that suggested my product idea and provided me with the initial
details to get me started. He also described the inputs that were necessary
to creating a successful staffing plan. He walked me through the process of
creating a successful staffing plan. He taught me almost everything I know
in the subject of capacity planning and management of capital. My mentor
was very influential in the installation of my product and how flexible it is.
5. How did creating a product and completing the hours challenge you personally?
- The completion of the mentor hours and product challenged me personally in
many ways. It was nerve wracking for me to present my product to my mentor
because I was worried I had completed the entire product the wrong way. If I did
not spend time on my product it would make me look bad and send a message to
my mentor that I wasnt engaged or that I did not care that he spent time with me
to help me graduate. I felt that if I made a good impression during these hours
then I could maybe come back to him later for help either finding a job or as a
reference. I was also challenged since my mentor and my Father are friends if I
were to slack off and not finish the product or not be engaged it would make my
dad look inadequate as a parent.

6. Do you feel prepared academically and emotionally for the presentation?a. If not, why? What
challenges do you still face to feel prepared?
- I feel prepared for the pride presentation for many factors. I took Public Speaking
first semester and when I presented my presentation the first time I did not receive
a good grade, which scared me. I then took time to revamp my presentation and
add detail in certain aspects. The first run through hopefully got rid of some of the
initial fears and nerves of the enormity of the project. I also feel prepared for the
presentation because of my mentors influence on the project. He helped me in
various ways filling me in with vital information that will be useful when
presenting to the judges.

7. How did the entire process stretch you as a learner and as an individual?
- The process of the entire project stretched me in multiple ways as a person. I had
never been in an office as an employee and learned multiple things when in that
environment. I learned how to talk with office goers and interact with people of all
backgrounds. I feel that I was mainly stretched in the area of public speaking, I
had very few encounters with public speaking and when I did, it was very rough.
This project helped me in that area dramatically, when I began, I was fidgety and
quiet and did not expand on any topics not written down. The more and more I
practiced, the more comfortable I became which will definitely help me on
presentation day.

8. Other than time management, describe an obstacle you encountered and how you overcame
it.
- The main obstacle with this project for me was finding a mentor. Knowing that I
needed a mentor by the beginning of school in the fall I reached out to a
employees at all types of corporations. WIth no avail, I was frustrated that no one
responded to my emails. As a last result I turned to my Dad, who I felt put me in
this mess and asked him to help me find a mentor. Surprisingly enough he
referred me to a couple of candidates, which I emailed a couple days later.
Fortunately enough one responded and was willing to help me, I immediately
thanked him and set up times for us to meet and complete the mentor hours.

9. What life skills did you acquire and how will they help you in the future?
 - I acquired many life skills during the process of my Pride Project. The aspect of
the project where I learned the most, was in the section of mentor hours. I learned
how to dress professionally and talk professionally in the workplace. This was
gained through experience in the workplace and talking with many employees. I
will use this skill anytime in a professional environment or an interview for a job. I
also learned how to speak publically through the Pride Presentation. It taught me
that preparation can tame nerves, especially if you are presenting a Powerpoint or
a speech.

10. If you had to go back and do parts of the project again, what would you do differently?
- Firstly, I would choose a new topic from the start. The main reason I landed on the
topic that I did was because of my dad suggesting me to try something with
managing people. I also wish I could have conducted an interview during the
process of writing my Pride Paper. The advice and counseling that i could have
gained from the interview would have lengthened my paper and backed the
research that I completed. One of the reasons I could not conduct an interview
was because of the narrow topic and the lack of mentor options. I would also
choose not to cram the night before every major deadline, this could prevent
minor mistakes in my work and prevent a lot of stress that came with the
deadlines.

11. Based on the entire Pride Project experience, do you plan to pursue this field as a career or
college area of study? If so, why? If not, why? Please be specific
- I do not plan to pursue a career in the field of management and logistics. Although
job growth in this area is on the rise and median salaries are very high, it was just
not a good fit for me. I did not enjoy my mentor hours and the heavy stress that
comes with the myriad of responsibilities that are attached with the job. Also the
hours that come with this job are not flexible at all, workers show up at 9 and
leave at 5 every weekday. The subject is also just flat out boring, and I hated the
task of managing people and numbers. I did like the aspect of working with a
group of people toward a common goal and will look to find this in my career of
choice. I would like to pursue a career in the field of politics because of the team
goal and it is an area of interest for me.