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Step 5.3: Creating Effective Learning Experiences

Whatever your work experience is, take time to reflect. Write your thoughts in a journal to keep a permanent record. Work provides excellent opportunities to learn. To motivate learning while you are engaged in work, set learning objectives. Writing your objectives provides a reminder of what you wish to accomplish.

Before going to your job, and during the first week, set general objectives based on your current knowledge. As knowledge of the job increases, your learning objectives can become more specific. Once you set specific objectives, monitor your progress. Be prepared to explain why these objectives were achieved or need to be modified. At the end of your work experience, assess your success and discuss the results with your supervisor.

When you have completed a particular assignment or project, review it. Consider the following questions:

Data:

  • When you think about your experiences, are there any particular events, days or activities that you recall as significant?

  • What specifically were you involved in at these times?

  • Are there any metaphors or images that stand out in your mind?

Feelings:

  • When you reflect about these events, days or activities, when were you excited or frustrated?

  • What parts did you laugh at?

  • What parts did you find scary?

  • What surprised you?

  • What intrigued you?

Thoughts:

  • What are the most important ideas / things you learned from this information?

  • Which of these areas / ideas is most important to you?

  • How does what you have learned compare to your initial insights gained from the self-assessment process in Step 1?

  • What are the implications of this for your professional development?

  • What are the implications of this for team development?

  • Where else have you experienced something like this in your life?

Actions:

  • What does this information mean for your work?

  • What are the implications / impact of this information for you?

  • What will you do differently as a result of this experience?

  • What does this tell you about who you are now and where you need to go in the future?

Applying Your Experiential Learning

During your work, discuss your learning with your supervisor and review the objectives you have set out. Write down main tasks, responsibilities, assignments, supervisory experience, and any other pertinent information. This provides a valuable work record. Recognizing a pattern may help you plan your career goals. Your work record is also an excellent reference and can aid discussion of your skills during interviews in your future career efforts.

With a complete analysis of your experiential learning, you will have data and examples for your next resume, portfolio and job interview.

To continue with Step 6, click here.