Communication Skill
Effective communication is the cornerstone of collaboration and innovation, especially in the dynamic field of dentistry. In my second-year chemistry class, we were assigned an engaging experiment to investigate the varying evaporation rates of different liquids. As the appointed group leader, I recognized that clear and concise communication would be crucial for our success. During our initial brainstorming session, I clearly outlined the goals of the experiment and encouraged my teammates to share their ideas. Our group consisted of diverse individuals with varying levels of understanding, so I facilitated discussions to ensure that everyone felt comfortable voicing their thoughts.
As we set up the experiment, I communicated the procedures step by step, breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. When we encountered discrepancies in our results, I initiated a collaborative troubleshooting session, encouraging each member to share their observations and hypotheses. This open dialogue allowed us to identify an uncontrolled variable in our experiment. By actively listening to my teammates and fostering an inclusive environment, we not only corrected our approach but also deepened our understanding of the scientific principles involved. Ultimately, our successful presentation of findings underscored the vital role of clear communication in overcoming challenges and achieving our objectives—skills that are directly transferable to the collaborative nature of dental practice, where effective patient interactions and teamwork are paramount.
Leadership
Leadership in a collaborative environment is essential for success, particularly in fields that require teamwork and precision, such as dentistry. During my sophomore year of college, I had the opportunity to lead my group in a series of physical challenges against other teams from the baseball program. This competition not only provided a chance to secure bragging rights but also aimed to enhance our training opportunities for the season. As the team captain, I took on the responsibility of organizing practices and strategy sessions. After a particularly challenging week filled with losses, I recognized that team morale was low. To address this, I hosted an informal gathering at my home, where we could openly discuss our goals and brainstorm improvements. This initiative fostered an inspiring dialogue among team members
On the day of the competition, I implemented a rotation system for the various physical challenges to ensure that every participant felt involved and valued. I emphasized the importance of mutual support, highlighting that our success depended on teamwork rather than individual performance. During the relay race, when one teammate fell behind, I encouraged the team to rally around him, reinforcing our collective spirit. This support not only motivated him to finish strong but also helped us achieve a higher placement than anticipated. This experience not only showcased my leadership capabilities but also left a lasting impact on our team’s unity, reinforcing the importance of collaboration—skills that are crucial in the field of dentistry, where effective teamwork enhances patient care.
Technology
What?
At the start of this semester, my understanding of AI was limited to its use for simple, time-saving tasks, such as generating ideas or quickly finding information. I hadn’t considered its potential as a tool for deeper, more creative work. However, as the course progressed, I began integrating AI into various aspects of my portfolio development. This included drafting sections of writing, organizing content, and even generating visual concepts. What initially seemed like a supplementary tool gradually transformed into an essential part of my creative process.
Through the course, I learned how AI could enhance the quality of my work. For example, it helped refine the structure of my writing, suggested alternative phrasings, and assisted with grammar, consistency, and style. I also discovered how AI could act as an effective brainstorming partner, generating fresh ideas and offering new directions when I felt creatively blocked. This exposure allowed me to see AI not just as a means of efficiency, but as a collaborative tool capable of adding value to the creative process.
I also recognized that AI works most effectively when provided with clear context and instructions. By fine-tuning my inputs, I was able to generate more tailored, relevant results. One of the most important lessons was understanding that while AI could produce drafts and content quickly, it was still crucial to maintain my unique voice and perspective in order to ensure the authenticity of my work.
So What?
The impact of integrating AI into my writing process was profound. It helped me overcome writer’s block and generate fresh ideas, allowing me to produce drafts more efficiently. By automating some of the more mechanical aspects of writing, AI freed up valuable time for me to focus on refining my ideas and improving the overall quality of my work. This shift enabled me to think more creatively, exploring new angles I might not have considered without the AI’s suggestions.
However, the integration of AI also presented challenges. The primary difficulty was ensuring that AI-generated content retained a personal and original touch. While the AI was capable of producing technically sound writing, I had to remain vigilant to avoid producing generic or uninspired content. This required constant revision and a critical eye to ensure that the final product reflected my personal voice and ideas, not just AI’s capabilities.
Overall, the benefits of using AI were clear: it enhanced my workflow, streamlined the drafting process, and expanded my creative possibilities. Through this process, I found that AI helped me develop as a writer by pushing me to experiment with new styles and approaches to content creation. It became clear that AI was not just a shortcut, but a genuine tool for creative growth.
Now What?
Looking ahead, I plan to continue using AI in a more deliberate and strategic way as part of my creative process. I will use AI for tasks such as idea generation, content structuring, and drafting, but always with the intent of maintaining my own voice and ensuring that my work remains authentic. I’ve developed a set of personal ethics around the use of AI, prioritizing transparency and responsibility. I view AI as an enhancement to my creative work, not as a replacement for critical thinking or personal input. Moving forward, I will be mindful to avoid using AI in ways that might undermine originality or lead to ethical concerns such as plagiarism.
In terms of my professional development, this experience has reshaped my approach to AI as a collaborator. I now see it as a tool that can increase productivity, allowing me to focus more on refining and elevating my ideas. By leveraging AI responsibly, I believe I can produce more thoughtful, innovative work that aligns with my values and artistic vision. As I continue to develop my portfolio and enter future projects, I will keep these lessons in mind to ensure that my work remains both efficient and true to my creative identity.
Programs I Know How To Use
- Claude Ai– Artificial intelligence program used as a brainstorming tool and as an editor.
- ChatGPT – 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.
- WordPress – Block editor used for building websites such as my ePortfolio.
- Microsoft Word: A word processing program used for creating, editing, and formatting text documents.
- Microsoft Excel: A spreadsheet application used for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data with formulas, charts, and tables.
- Microsoft PowerPoint: A presentation software used to create slideshows composed of text, images, and multimedia for business or educational purposes.
- Adobe Photoshop: A powerful image editing software used for creating, manipulating, and enhancing digital images and graphics.
- Adobe Illustrator: A vector graphic design software used for creating logos, illustrations, and scalable designs.