Introduction

If you have ever seen ants hard at work, you might have noticed howefficiently and effectively they get a job done. Whether building a newnest or carrying food to the colony, ants inherently understand how tomanage their priorities, resources, and time. In the human world, thisskill is called productivity, and when it comes to your life and career,productivity is absolutely essential for your success. Productivity isabout working in the best way possible to get the job done. If you are aproductive employee, you can manage tasks to meet deadlines and shareproject plans, schedules, and task lists with others so that everyoneknows how the work you do fits into your team’s vision. If somethingdoesn’t go as you hoped, you can easily create a new plan to fulfillyour changing needs.

Productivity is wonderful to adopt on its own, butit doesn’t actually stand alone. Improving your productivity skill willhelp you hone your other essential employability skills, too. Beingproductive and prioritizing your time helps you communicate the rightinformation at the right moment. It helps you be more agile in theworkplace by responding to change with a plan forward. It helps you be amore results-driven employee by giving you the order of tasks to focuson. (Be sure to look out for other connections between the skills as youcontinue through your Capella education and beyond.) In thisassessment, you will make these connections by reflecting on your skillsand accomplishments and identifying employability skills that havehelped you achieve those accomplishments. You will also begin to thinkabout the skills that you would like to develop and refine going forwardin your academic and professional career.v

Overview

In this assessment, you will reflect on the qualities, values,strengths, areas of improvement, and accomplishments that capture whoyou are, and how they connect to the 10 essential employability skillsand your personal, academic, and professional goals. You’ll thenpractice your communication skill by writing about what you’veidentified in ways appropriate for a CV or resume. You’ll use thisinformation later in in the Skill Development Plan assessment to createan action plan for developing skills that will help you reach yourfuture goals. After completing this assessment, you will have a documentyou can bring to the Career Center where counselors can help youfurther develop your career strategy.

Preparation

Review the work you have done thus far in the course, including thecourse readings and your discussion contributions. Download the Reflecting on Your Goals, Skills, and Accomplishments Template [DOCX]and review the list of Accomplishment Categories at the end of thetemplate for ideas. You will use the template for your assessment.

Instructions

Use the Reflecting on Your Goals, Skills, and Accomplishments Template [DOCX] to complete the following steps:

• Step 1: Describe personal and professional values and goals.
  • Respond to questions 1 and 2 in Part 1: About Me, reflecting on your values, aspirations, goals, strengths, and areas of growth.
• Step 2: Identify skills that are strengths and skills that need improvement.
  • Respond to questions 3 and 4 in Part 1: About Me, noting skills that are strengths and those that are weaknesses.
• Step 3: Analyze previous accomplishments that demonstrate professional skills.
  • Complete the three steps in Part 2: Accomplishment Statements,by reflecting on your past accomplishments, using the template toidentify the challenge, actions, results, and details, and then writingtwo concise stories using the accomplishments formula provided.
• Step 4: Explain the benefits of self-reflection.
  • Complete the four-question reflection in Part 3: Reflect on Your Experiences, considering Parts 1 and 2 of this assessment, and the connections you have made to the 10 employability skills.
• Step 5: Write coherently with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Write in complete sentences free from errors that detract from the overall message.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.Because tech is continually evolving, practicing your technologyskill starts with having the right mindset. When you adopt a techmindset, it means you believe you can grow your technology skillthroughout your life and career to achieve your personal andprofessional goals. It’s also important to note that developing yourtechnology skill doesn’t mean you’ll become a tech expert overnight.Instead, when you encounter new technological tools in the workplace,you can figure out how to use those tools by researching them andrelying on what you already know. Be confident in yourself, and in theknowledge that you can use your technology skill to help get any jobdone, whether it’s watching a YouTube video that shows you how to changea tire, accessing Capella on your phone, completing this course with anew laptop, or using a mindfulness app to meditate.If you need help, remember to check out Capella Technical Support for information on courseroom navigation and computer requirements, and Computer & Software Tutorials to help you learn how to use ePortfolio, SafeAssign, Microsoft Office, and more.Below are a few tips for maintaining the right mindset when you’re learning new tech:
• Remember, confidence takes practice. You have an opportunity to build your tech mindset every time you face a challenge and a new technology.
• Take a slow, deep breath if you feel stuck. It’s hard to learn new tech if we don’t feel calm.
• Reboot when all else fails. Sometimes, a simple reset can solve all sorts of problems—and that goes for your mindset, too.
• Understand that technology is not static. Just as the courseroomwill integrate new technologies, so, too will you be exposed to new andevolving technologies in your workplace. Approach those changes with apositive mindset and a willingness to learn.
• Developing your technology skill will keep you current in a worldwhere things constantly evolve. And it gives you an edge over others whoresist change. Think back to the first time you sent a text message. Itprobably felt strange typing on such a tiny keyboard. But before long,it became second nature. That will happen with any new technology as youspend more time using it. The key is that you are open to learning it.In this course and throughout your Capella experience, you willcontinue to utilize technology as you complete assessments, research onthe Internet, participate in global discussion boards, and more. In thenext assessment, you will use technology in the form of Microsoft Wordto reflect on your goals, skills, and accomplishments. These activitieswill make you a more successful student and a more competent employee.While there’s a growing demand for developer, engineering, and datascience jobs, those aren’t the only kind of technology skills employersare seeking. A willingness to adapt to new technology has becomeessential in modern workplaces. And when it comes to starting yourcareer, technology can also help you stand out. You can apply this skillto creating a targeted and stylish résumé, a well-crafted LinkedInpage, and an effective strategy for finding the right position using avariety of online resources. When you’re able to confidently use whatyou already know to learn new technology, you become a more marketablejob applicant.Remember that different people will have different comfort levelswith new digital tools, and that is okay. You may feel like a novicecompared to one person, but you’re probably an expert compared tosomeone else. Instead of wishing you were as savvy as someone with moreexperience, focus on what you are comfortable doing and use that to leaninto new areas where you can further develop your skills. (Hint: This might require you to apply your self and social awareness skill.
  

  Real Talk: Mastering New Technology

  New technology can be intimidating—even to a mountain climber! View Real Talk: Mastering New Technology to learn how Brian Sweeney, manager of BaseCamp gym, mastered new kinds of technology to get his business off the ground.

Developing your technology skill will keep you current in a worldwhere things constantly evolve. And it gives you an edge over others whoresist change. Think back to the first time you sent a text message. Itprobably felt strange typing on such a tiny keyboard. But before long,it became second nature. That will happen with any new technology as youspend more time using it. The key is that you are open to learning it.

In this course and throughout your Capella experience, you willcontinue to utilize technology as you complete assessments, research onthe Internet, participate in global discussion boards, and more. In thenext assessment, you will use technology in the form of Microsoft Wordto reflect on your goals, skills, and accomplishments. These activitieswill make you a more successful student and a more competent employee.

While there’s a growing demand for developer, engineering, and datascience jobs, those aren’t the only kind of technology skills employersare seeking. A willingness to adapt to new technology has becomeessential in modern workplaces. And when it comes to starting yourcareer, technology can also help you stand out. You can apply this skillto creating a targeted and stylish résumé, a well-crafted LinkedInpage, and an effective strategy for finding the right position using avariety of online resources. When you’re able to confidently use whatyou already know to learn new technology, you become a more marketablejob applicant.

Remember that different people will have different comfort levelswith new digital tools, and that is okay. You may feel like a novicecompared to one person, but you’re probably an expert compared tosomeone else. Instead of wishing you were as savvy as someone with moreexperience, focus on what you are comfortable doing and use that to leaninto new areas where you can further develop your skills. (Hint: This might require you to apply your self and social awareness skill.

Real Talk: Mastering New Technology

New technology can be intimidating—even to a mountain climber! View Real Talk: Mastering New Technology to learn how Brian Sweeney, manager of BaseCamp gym, mastered new kinds of technology to get his business off the ground.

Content

• Print
• Technology is not only reshaping the work many people do, but it’sactually changing how we work. You may have heard that automation and AIis taking the place of certain roles. However, the 10 skills you’relearning throughout this course are skills that AI can’t replace. That’sespecially true of your technology skill.In the last few decades, the number of employees working remotely,whether part-time or full-time, has grown significantly. Thanks to newtech tools, it’s easy for colleagues to share documents and talk to oneanother and collaborate, even if they are thousands of miles apart. Tobe an effective employee in the 21st century, you have to be comfortableusing these technologies to complete your tasks.As you become more familiar with new technological advances, you’llwant to apply your technology skill to consider not only using whateverapps or software your company requires, but going one step further andseeking out new tools. By being the person in your workplace who iswilling to adapt and learn new technology, you’ll give yourself acompetitive advantage. You don’t have to be a tech expert to succeed inyour life and career. You just have to embrace your technology skill andride the wave of change.
  

  Resources

  To learn more about technological change and the technology skill inthe current and future workforce, review the following resources.

  • Franck, T. (2017). McKinsey: One-third of US workers could be jobless by 2030 due to automation. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/one-third-of-us-wo…
    • Read about automation and its current and future effects on workers in this article.
  • Reynolds, B. W. (2019). 159% increase in remote work since 2005: FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics report. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-gwa-re…
    • Review data on the growth of working remotely in this article.

Content

• Print
• Technology is not only reshaping the work many people do, but it’s actually changing how we work. You may have heard that automation and AI is taking the place of certain roles. However, the 10 skills you’re learning throughout this course are skills that AI can’t replace. That’s especially true of your technology skill. In the last few decades, the number of employees working remotely, whether part-time or full-time, has grown significantly. Thanks to new tech tools, it’s easy for colleagues to share documents and talk to one another and collaborate, even if they are thousands of miles apart. To be an effective employee in the 21st century, you have to be comfortable using these technologies to complete your tasks. As you become more familiar with new technological advances, you’ll want to apply your technology skill to consider not only using whatever apps or software your company requires, but going one step further and seeking out new tools. By being the person in your workplace who is willing to adapt and learn new technology, you’ll give yourself a competitive advantage. You don’t have to be a tech expert to succeed in your life and career. You just have to embrace your technology skill and ride the wave of change.
  

  Resources

  To learn more about technological change and the technology skill in the current and future workforce, review the following resources.

  • Franck, T. (2017). McKinsey: One-third of US workers could be jobless by 2030 due to automation. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/one-third-of-us-wo…
    • Read about automation and its current and future effects on workers in this article.
  • Reynolds, B. W. (2019). 159% increase in remote work since 2005: FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics report. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-gwa-re…
    • Review data on the growth of working remotely in this article.

Success in the workplace requires laser focus on what matters and the

ability to tune out distractions to deliver results. Employers

value—and reward—employees who use their time wisely to get the results a

company desires.

Here are some simple tips for practicing your productivity skill in the workplace:

1. Know when to say “no.” Sometimes, being productive meanseliminating tasks that won’t help you reach your goal. (This applies toyour personal life, too.)
2. Understand that it’s not about the amount of work you do. It’s about doing it efficiently and effectively.
3. Use an organized set of steps to achieve your goals. Breaking down a goal into achievable parts helps you reach it.
4. Determine your priorities and then work to complete them.
5. Understand how to delegate things to coworkers or ask for help when needed.
6. Reassess priorities throughout the day based on what the organization needs.
7. Decide which are key issues and which are distractions.

Once you get used to practicing your productivity skill, you’ll findit easier to make progress professionally and to go above and beyondyour supervisors’ expectations.

• Print
• Productivity is wonderful to adopt on its own, but it doesn’t actually stand alone. Improving your productivity skill will help you hone your other essential employability skills, too. Being productive and prioritizing your time helps you communicate the right information at the right moment. It helps you be more agile in the workplace by responding to change with a plan forward. It helps you be a more results-driven employee by giving you the order of tasks to focus on. (Be sure to look out for other connections between the skills as you continue through your Capella education and beyond.) We live in a world that’s fast-paced and getting faster. No matter where you want to go, productivity will help you do more of the things you do best.
  

  Resources

  To learn more about productivity and how to maximize your daily productivity, review the following resources:

  • Korkki, P. (n.d.). How to make the most of your workday. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/business/how-to-imp…
    • Read this article for daily productivity tips.
  • Klemp, N. (2019). Harvard psychologists reveal the real reason we’re all so distracted. https://www.inc.com/nate-klemp/harvard-psychologis…
    • Read about research on productivity in the face of distraction in this article.
  • PsychologyCompass. (n.d.). A sustainable formula to improve concentration and focus. https://psychologycompass.com/blog/a-proven-formul…
    • Improve your focus by reviewing this article.