Career and Self Development: Application of Learned Knowledge

Application of financial knowledge is a direct path for financial security and success. As a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, I took Dr. Mara Lynch’s Personal Finance course and it provided me with the foundational knowledge to transform financial concepts into actionable strategies. I learned to budget efficiently for the present as well as develop financial plans for the future and use the different accounts available like certificates of deposit as well as money market and high yield savings accounts to cultivate my savings. Since taking this class, I have applied these lessons by contributing to my Roth IRA account and opening a high yield savings account to set myself up for financial success moving forward into the future. This experience significantly enhanced my career and self-development competency by equipping me with the skills to benefit myself and others.

Teamwork: Clear Communication and Efficient Productivity

Clear communication is required for efficient productivity. As a lifeguard at the University of Arkansas HPER building, I experienced firsthand how critical synchronized action is to achieve a shared goal. The labor intensive work of transitioning the pool from short course (25 yards) to long course (50 meters) requires each guard to exert equal amounts of force on the heavy bulkhead to move it across the pool. This makes it essential to have acute awareness of everyone’s pace and continuous communication to stay in constant, uniform motion. This experience has honed my ability to engage in collaborative environments and promote teamwork, skills I’m confident will translate to any professional setting where clear communication and synchronized effort are essential.

Technology: Using the Tools to Get the Job Done

Programs I Have Experience With

  • WordPress Website Builder – Block editor used for building websites such as my ePortfolio.
  • Canva – Graphic design platform.
  • iMovie – Video editing program.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Bookings, Teams, Authenticator, OneDrive, Outlook, Outlook Calendar
  • Adobe Lightroom – Digital photography editing software.
  • SPSS – Statistical Program for the Social Sciences.
  • Google Calendar, Forms, Sheets, Docs, Drive, Slides, Classroom

Artificial Intelligence Programs I Know How to Use

  • ChatGPT – Artificial intelligence program used as a brainstorming tool and as an editor.
  • Google Gemini – Artificial intelligence program used as a brainstorming tool and as an editor.
  • RIFBot – Artificial intelligence tool designed to help you go deeper with your reflections by asking questions.

My Statement on the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence:

Being encouraged and sometimes required to use AI during my final year of college proved unexpectedly beneficial. Despite my initial hesitations, I learned to develop specific prompts to achieve desired outcomes, and more importantly, to clarify ideas that were initially difficult to articulate. This experience, which I plan to carry into my career, provided it aligns with and is encouraged by employer policy, has shaped my perspective on AI’s usefulness. Ultimately, my hope is to utilize AI to minimize confusion arising from complex ideas, creating a clearer understanding for everyone involved.