Day 1 Technology Failure

Day 1 Lead Introduction Module 14th March 2011

Hi,

As the Profile indicates I am a final year Undergraduate Student in Spatial Planning and Environmental Management, DIT, Bolton Street. Currently Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Society, DIT, Bolton Street.

It is a novelty to take part in this LEAD Module, well I would say learning experience with such an enthusiastic bunch of people!
The day started well with an Icebreaker Session. Ground Rules were set one of which was Confidentiality so no names will be given to the interesting people I met on the Course! The Module selected a diverse range of people from all backgrounds some with interesting stories boxing for a Charity event, Working with the All Blacks, Adventure Racing, Organic Farmer and a Fashion enthusiast!

Everyone was aloof at the beginning, although as the Talks continued the topic on Employability Skills
What they are? Why they are important? and How might they be developed? triggered awareness of current skills and ones we could develop during the Module. It was about stepping back and evaluating your successes and failures with regards Job Interviews. The aim was to realise what skills and attributes I can bring to my desired Job. Reflect and acknowledge on the skills I have, which I can apply to the jobs I am interested in. This is learning, reflecting and following through on an action which could be done differently to maximise success.

The term Employability is defined as what knowledge, skills and attributes someone gains throughout extra-Curricular activities, Degree, Work Experience, transferable skills and from many other sources. (Hunt Report, 2010). Throughout the Session the one I was thinking of was Motivation and Passion which I have in studying Spatial Planning. If you are interested in something for example a particular subject area you are more likely to succeed, similiarly with the Career path you choose. Therefore, it is important to reflect on your skill set, evidence them, assess how I can use them and what I can do differently. 

Break Time was another chance to mingle and have a much needed Tea or coffee ....

We were divided into Groups In my group there was a mixed bag of Juggling, Ski and Mental Planners Soc.
The group discussed Initiative/Enterprise and an insight into other Societies was useful. People talked about what they had achieved and their desired future goals for their Societies. I learnt the importance of reflection to realise for example a member had problem-solved without him even knowing that he had done so until we talked about overcoming problems. The email system had gone down and he Messaged members instead and took the initiative to set up a database as the number of people in his Society exceeded the number of texts that could be sent on a daily basis.

I shared with the group my experience in the Mental Planners Soc of handing over the Society in relation to the skill of innovation. The personal goal was to involve new people, generate new ideas, organise lunch time meetings to ensure all members have a say in their Planning Society. During the meetings I listened, recorded interests and ideas of events we could pursue. The Learning experience would be through asking the Members for Feedback on their hopes for the Societies future, what they would like to see or any changes they may have. The Society has collaborated moreso this year with other Societies in organising events which has proved to be successful. The Circus Rave was organised in partnership with numerous Societies and due to our effort in PR and 'putting the word out there' we are in talks with the Engineering Society in helping them organise their Engineering Ball Event. Networking during Clubs and Socs training at the start of the year facilitated this get to know atmosphere and this is crucial to any Socs success! The domino-effect organising one event leading onto more events will grow the society further by this coming May.

Anita gave a talk on Reflective thinking and strongly noted to be honest and objective in your thinking. This is a personal journey an assessment of what I can achieve through utilising my planning and organisation skills. This reflective diary assisted with notes and the process of personal development planning can guide my own personal journey which is critical to the Learning Agreement. The main point is not just to look at achievements but to learn from failures, reflect on them and realise a path of change to move forward and be more successful next time.

After the generous lunch vouchers we rambled up to the Labs to attend a tutorial on 'How to set up a Blog Account'? and a youtube video assisted us in this regard. It was a simple procedure as our demonstrator advised us on privacy settings, title of our blog and our commitment of writing 2,000 words a week to be posted on our Blog site. As my close friends and family would know me well for mislaying my mobile recently it was no surprise when my Blog wouldn't set up unlike like everyone elses. I decided I would set it up that evening as the exercise was easy to follow. When this task was complete we marched downstairs to schedule a group meeting with our Mentors. We discussed what we would do for the next meeting which we scheduled for the 1st April so we were all on the same wavelength. The meeting concluded

1) What we will be doing in the future in relation to a Time plan?
2) Reflect on three skills and through evidence draw on where they were experienced?
3) Draw on what you learnt in these experiences the successes and failures?
(Refer to LEAD Handbook pg, 4)

Finally, the Session ended with thanks to the Academic Staff, Speakers and Students that attended the first ever Pilot LEAD Programme in Cathal Brugha Street, DIT.
Questions and Answers summed up the evening and we all made our merry way home to start blogging!

Sincere thanks to all the Speakers and colleagues that attended it was an enjoyable first day on the LEAD Team.