SIT752FL1:

BECOMING CAREER SMART

Step 2.6 Video Transcript

Hey, guys. It's Adam Lee here. I know we're all being encouraged more and more to
write reflections, but we don't really know how or why. So I thought I'd share how
I've used reflection as part of developing my portfolio, and show you a few practical
steps that you can use as a guide.

Reflecting helps me take a step back and realise what I'm actually learning, not only
during this study at Uni, but through all the other stuff going on in my life, too. I only
just realised that reflection isn't just about looking inwards. It's also about what you
want to reflect outwards to the world about yourself. Anyone who checks out my
portfolio can say what I've done and what I've learned from my experiences. And
they can also say that I've thought about my learning and the skills I'm developing.

Let's have a look at this diagram, My selection, My learning, My self. The examples
and evidence that I select for my portfolio help me to highlight what I've learned.
And reflecting helps me to take a good, hard look at what I'm learning and recognise
the significance of it. One of the language and learning advisors summed this process
up nicely by saying, "What you select to reflect on tells you about your learning and
yourself."

My selection, I want to select artefacts that demonstrate different areas of learning

while making sure that the content is appropriate for a professional setting. So
demonstrating that you've developed your communication and teamwork skills
through hours upon hours of online gaming might not be the best idea.

My learning: A written assignment would showcase my academic learning. Some of

my practical work, like my web design, would demonstrate my technical ability. And
evidence of my volunteer work with my local footy club would illustrate my people
skills. The biggest tip is to remember that it's not just in lecture theaters and
classrooms that you can learn. When you are travelling, volunteering, on work
placements, or even during social activities, you're developing skills. Reflecting is
about realising which ones.

My self: This section mainly refers to my professional self. The artefacts that I choose
and how I reflect on them define the projection of myself that is seen by the world.
It's also helping me to develop a sense of what I can do, and what I have that I can
offer an employer.

OK, enough theory. Here's three practical steps that will help you with your
reflections. Just ask yourself these three questions. What? So what? Now what? The

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first step is simple, what? What did I achieve today? Identify something that you've
done recently that involves some kind of learning or skill development. My group
and I gave a presentation for Uni on a project we've just completed.

So what? Now think about what that achievement means, and what key concepts we
learned in doing it. So what did I actually learn from doing this, and how does that
relate to what I already know not only from this unit, but from other units as well?
How can I apply what I've learned to other units I'm studying? Or looking longer
term, how would this be of use to me in the future?

Does it relate to any of the professional skills you need to develop, say knowledge?

I learned a lot about the topic we chose. Hmm, communication?

I thought our presentation was good, but my delivery may have been affected by my
nerves.

Digital literacy?

We used library databases and Creative Commons images to create our

presentation.

What about critical thinking?

The whole project was an exercise in critical thinking, to be honest. We needed to

look at the complexities of our issue, analyse information in depth so that we could
come up with our suggested solution, and back it up with evidence.

Problem solving, or team work?

One of our team members got sick, so we had to adapt and really work together to
ensure the project was completed on time.

OK. Self-management?

As we really needed to work from our strengths, I realised I like doing research, and
nominated myself for the task. I don't always want to take the lead role, but I'd like
to be more assertive.

And global citizenship?

We had to communicate with clients of differing cultural backgrounds.

Hmm.

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Now what? The really important step is thinking about what I could do next. What
could I do to improve? I've identified a couple of areas I'd like to work on next time.
I'd like to learn how to use the library databases more effectively, and work on my
oral presentation skills. By simply writing these goals down, I can have something
practical to focus on and work towards, which really helps to make sure I get there.

Looking over what I've done, acknowledging what I've learned and how it applies to
my professional development, helps me to touch base with the bigger picture, and
remember what I'm essentially trying to get out of Uni. Which means taking that
moment to reflect is totally worthwhile.

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