BLOG
BLOG
REFLECTING ON THE UC CAREERS SESSION
The lecture delivered by a representative from the University of Canberra Careers during the Professional Orientation unit left me with a very good impression and understanding of the relationship between academic goals and real-world opportunities. The lecture elaborated on the extensive support the university offers to students seeking internships while pursuing their degrees and navigating the challenging world of post-graduation employment.
The speaker specifically outlined the multifaceted ways in which the University of Canberra can be an important resource in their student's professional journey. The possibility of having our CV reviewed by university professionals, who possess an in depth understanding of industry requirements, was particularly worth to consider. The personalized guidance on improving resumes to align with specific job positions made me feel like UC is really committed on ensuring students are well-equipped for being a part of the workforce.
The lecture allowed for an environment where relevant questions were asked and appropriately addressed. Discussions went from short-term career goals to long-term aspirations, providing a broad perspective on the evolving professional environment of design. The speaker's insights into potential challenges brought attention to the need for proactive career planning, emphasizing the importance of being able to adapt and be resilientin the face of an constantly evolving job market.
The topic about internships served as a highlight between theoretical knowledge and practice, understandingthe university's dedication to student development. The lecture not only revealed the various resources available but also motivated students to actively engage in shaping their professional trajectories.
As I reflect on this session, I am inspired by the University of Canberra's commitment to shape professionals. This lecture not only lessen my anxiety on the post-graduation journey but also gave me a sense of confidence in using the university's support to navigate the complexities of finding internships and securing meaningful employment in the near and long term.
Role Objective and Messaging of Portfolio
Welcome to my digital portfolio, where you can learn about me and my evolving skills as a design student at The University of Canberra. As a mixed media designer with an inclination for collage art, my portfolio encapsulates a diverse range of projects that blend traditional and digital elements. The primary objective is to captivate and engage, showcasing the balanced combination of different mediums into a cohesive visual narrative.
Navigating through my portfolio, visitors can witness the outcome of my academic goals, where the constant practice serves as the key for my creative evolution. Each project is a blend of learned skills, from conceptualization to execution.
The messaging of my portfolio is clear - innovation through the blend of the styles I am interested in pursuing as a designer. It invites viewers to appreciate the beauty in diversity, urging them to see beyond conventional boundaries. This portfolio aims to show the dynamic and transformative power of mixed media design.
Unit Reflection
Being able to engage in the Professional Orientation unit has been a journey that allowed me to enhance my reflective writing and critical thinking skills along with the unit of Academic English, as I made sure to integrate the skills I learned throughout the different units within my course. Professional Orientation made me realize how multifaceted the design industry is, throughout its various niches, terminologies, and career trajectories. Understanding design terms provided me with a more accurate vocabulary to express and articulate my creative concepts.
The unit's emphasis on career and goal planning, including SWOT analysis and networking, was highly valuable. Creating a SWOT analysis allowed me to spot my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, helping me to identify a possible strategic path for my professional journey. The insight that I gained into emotional intelligence and personality types through the Myers Briggs test that was made in class as well as engaging with my classmates and appreciating their work and feedback was useful when it came to navigating the potential challenges at the workplace, growing my self-awareness and interpersonal skills.
Moreover, the exploration of employability skills, ethical design practices, and the skill of pitching practiced through presentations broadened my perspective. I now approach my design aspirations with a higher sense of responsibility and a commitment to ethical practices in society. The unit not only provided theoretical knowledge but also offered practical examples that brought light to potential career paths.
This new sense of understanding has sparked a deep awareness of the various possibilities and goals that I want to pursue both personally and professionally. Professional Orientation has helped me understand what I want for my design career, growing my confidence and purpose as I navigate the dynamic world of the creative industry.
Academic Literature Review
This academic literature review will delve into the key aspects and personal takeaways from three of the readings that I consider were the most relevant for me, done during the Professional orientation unit.
The New Yorker's article by Thomas Levenson (2020), professor at science at M.I.T “The truth about Isaac Newton’s productive plague”, reveals the reality behind the narrative of Isaac Newton's legendary productivity during the plague. Newton's seclusion in Woolsthorpe amid the bubonic plague outbreak in 1665 is often romanticized, with contemporary articles during the COVID-19 pandemic depicting his achievements as a standard for extreme productivity. The article reveals the idea that the plague unlocked Newton's brilliance, challenging the fairytale of genius associated with random bursts of inspiration during isolation. While Newton did make significant discoveries in Lincolnshire's solitude, his definitive biographer, Richard Westfall, revealed that his groundbreaking ideas had come up earlier, during college exams at Trinity College.
The article resonates with the resistance against blindly idealizing isolation productivity. The author's ideashighlight the danger of imposing an unattainable standard during times of crisis, as observed in the pandemic. The pressure to showcase productivity on social media creates unrealistic expectations and created guilt when individual goals don't align with perceived standards in society. The lesson I learned in with this article is that rather than succumbing to external pressure, individuals should reconnect with their own passions, being resilient regardless of external circumstances.
In the article “To pitch or not to pitch” Designer Paul Woods (2019), author of “How to do Great Work without being an Asshole” delves into the practice of free pitching, also known as "spec work," commonly known in freelancing and agency-client interactions. The article focuses on the controversy surrounding free pitching due to its nature of unpaid labor. It highlights the industry practice where creative teams, in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP), generate solutions within tight timelines to showcase their skills. The author questions the effectiveness of free pitching as an evaluation process, stating that it creates a false impression of creative work and devalues designers. The article highlights the dilemma faced by smaller agencies and freelancers, questioning between adhering to ethical standards and securing business opportunities.
The article resonates with the recent awareness of the ethical implications of free pitching. Labeling the exploitative nature of the practice makes a reconsideration of how work is showcased in the future. Mypersonal takeaway is to emphasize the need for a more aware decision-making, to align with the responsibility of designers and agencies to educate clients about the important impact of unpaid work on both creativity and business.
In the article “Is this the time to be productive?” Lufkin (2018) explores the main times for productivity based on information from a California-based project management platform, Redbooth. The data suggests that Mondays at 11 am are the peak productive time across various industries. This aligns with research by John Trougakos, an associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of Toronto, indicating that around 75% of individuals experience heightened mental alertness between 9 am and 11 am, which align with circadian rhythms. The article highlights the importance of aligning work schedules with these natural rhythms to enhance productivity and reduce fatigue.
Additionally, the discussion delves into the energy fluctuations throughout the day, noting a low point at 2-3 pm, reinforcing come cultural inclinations for afternoon naps. Seasonal variations are also considered, with autumn identified as a high-productivity period after summer holidays. The reflection on this information highlights the potential for companies to optimize productivity by encouraging creative tasks early in the week and morning, instead of scheduling demanding meetings during energy lows. The article reevaluates work scheduling practices, emphasizing the value of working smarter, not harder.
To conclude, I consider that these three readings contain relevant information to the design industry, given that they touch the subjects of productivity and ethical practices within the workplace and practices that a designer could implement in their personal life in order to improve and balance more positively these two areas.
References
Levenson, T. (2020, April 6). The Truth About Isaac Newton’s Productive Plague. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-truth-about-isaac-newtons-productive-plague
Lufkin (text), V. D. (charts) / B. (2018, January 3). Is this the best time to be productive? Www.bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180102-is-this-the-best-time-for-productivity
Woods, P. (2019, March 13). To pitch, or not to pitch. Creative Review. https://www.creativereview.co.uk/should-you-pitch-for-free/