REFLECTIVE STATEMENT EXAMPLE

Explaining the factors that determine demand and supply of houses in the UK during the above period

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents...............................................................................2 REFLECTIVE STATEMENT.....................................................................3 1. Introduction.................................................................................................... 3 2. Self Awareness............................................................................................... 4 3. Opportunity Awareness.................................................................................. 5 4. Decision Making.............................................................................................. 6 5. Opportunity Search......................................................................................... 7 6. Application and CV......................................................................................... 7 7. Selection......................................................................................................... 8 8. Conclusion...................................................................................................... 8 REFERENCES....................................................................................10 APPENDICES.....................................................................................12 Appendix A: Solent Career Box.........................................................................12 Appendix B John Holland Career Choice Test.................................................13 Appendix C: VAK Learning Style Self-assessment Questionnaire.....................14 Appendix D: Jung MBTI Test .............................................................................20 .......................................................................................................20 Appendix E: Tables........................................................................................... 21 Appendix F: Pathfinder..................................................................................... 23 Appendix G: Job Advertisements......................................................................24 Appendix H: New Curriculum Vitae...................................................................26 Appendix I: Mock Job Interview Feedback.........................................................28

REFLECTIVE STATEMENT
1. Introduction
Reflection is an important part of the study and reflective statement in this regard gives an opportunity to students to evaluate themselves and also to think about what they have learned from their experiences in the past. Boud et al. (1985) defined reflection in relation to learning as a generic term for those intellectual and affective activities in which individuals engage to explore their experiences in order to lead to new understandings and appreciations (p. 19). Based on the definition, it can be said that reflection helps to review the past experiences for the purpose of describing, analysing, and evaluating best learning practices. The Southampton Solent University always in search for providing excellent opportunities to graduate students for starting their careers by developing new skills and abilities and recognising, enhancing, and critically assessing their existing talent and competencies. In order to do so, the university has introduced career and CV building unit where students learn how to develop portfolios consisting of various significant elements such as reflective statement, curriculum vitae, skills profile, job application, and feedback for the mock interview. For this purpose, the university provides Career Box where students can get many options for self-awareness, opportunities, course focus, and self-promotion to develop new knowledge and skills. A snapshot of Solents Career Box can be seen in appendix A. By going through this innovative and critical process, students become capable of deciding about their right career paths successfully. My experience is also excellent with the university. During the studies and especially during this unit, I learned many things which are mentioned throughout the statement and concluded in the conclusion section. This reflective statement aims to uncover the fact that how I developed self awareness, new skills, capabilities whilst studying career and CV building unit. Also, how these newly developed skills and abilities will reflect my career-related decisions? A number of theorists developed several models which support reflective learning and writing. Three foremost reflective models include: Kolbs model of reflection (Kolb, 1984), Gibbs reflective cycle (Gibbs, 1988), and Driscoll model of reflection (Driscoll, 2000). I have selected Driscoll (2000) model to describe incidents, problems, choices, and action plans about my future
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options. In this regard, the whole discussion surrounds three constituents of the model such as what, so what, and now what. In following the order, I first explained key incidents and problems at what stage and analysed and evaluated the significance of those events and issues at the next stage namely so what. Lastly, I elucidated the proposed necessary actions that I need to take to secure my career.

2. Self Awareness
Self-awareness is an important and versatile phenomenon which is comprehensively defined by Reis (2010) as recognising self abilities, personality type, and preferences and knowing the strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and hot buttons (p. 207). Over the years, many self awareness tools and techniques have been developed to explore and analyse skills, preferences, personality traits, beliefs, values, and preferred learning styles. However, these tools and techniques are reluctant to provide exact results and are just designed to narrow down the existing possibilities (Ferrari and Sternberg, 1998). During this course, I attempted many self-awareness tests through Career Box of Solent University to develop self awareness but found three tools useful in terms of providing excellent results in the context of personality, learning style, and decision making. Firstly, John Hollands personality types theory was used to determine my type of personality as well as my behaviour at work. Hollands test is based on six personality types such as artistic, conventional, enterprising, investigative, realistic, and social (Holland et al. 1993). Hollands test results are available in appendix B where I am assigned a RICASE personality code which predicts my personality type as more realistic, followed by investigative, and conventional. These results are the outcomes of 15 personality questions based on my likings and disliking regarding work activities. I believe that these results match my personality type as I am more realistic in doing machinery and tool-oriented works in electrical, mechanical, and technical aspects (Lock, 2004). In addition, I like to be investigative by engaging myself in clerical works and then analysing the situation to devise the solution of the problem in a conventional way. However, unfortunately I am less appealing towards artistic (e.g. drawing, creative arts, graphics) and social works (coaching and assisting others). The Holland test also suggests me a list of appropriate occupations according to my personality type which also comply with my aspirations where I am more attracted towards professions related to engineering works. The second test was performed to know about my learning style and for this purpose I chose VAK learning style questionnaire to identify and evaluate my learning abilities. The VAK
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learning style theory consists of three kinds of learning abilities such as auditory learners, kinaesthetic learners, and visual learners (Evans, 2006). The results of VAK assessment are available in appendix C which uncover the fact that I am a kinaesthetic learner and likes to experience things myself rather than learning from and listening to others. It is also true about me that I like to learn by performing actions or physically experiencing things. In my opinion, this skill is very important for me which will support me in my future aspirations as I belong to electrical engineering field where physical experiences are more important rather than listening or visualising things. In order to identify skills to dealing with information processes, people, and decision making, I conducted Jung personality test using the MBTI tool (Myers et al., 1995). The MBTI tool helps me to identify my psychological preferences that fit my career in engineering domain. On the basis of options I have chosen during the Jung test, the MBTI tool gives me ISTP code which suggests my personality type as extrovert, sensor, thinker, and judger (see appendix D). The results of the Jung test match with my personality as I am reluctant to be extrovert or social and rely more on my abilities of completing assigned tasks. In addition, I like to resolve problems on own my own by thinking first and then taking actions. These three self-awareness tests allow me to conduct a SWOT analysis based on my career which is available in appendix E. The outcome of SWOT analysis reveals my major strengths (exploratory, analytical thinker, flexible, compatible, and focused minded), weaknesses (reluctant to support others, aggregative, and over conscious), threats (job competition and lack of resources), opportunities (foreign qualification, foreign job experience, research work, or self-employment).

3. Opportunity Awareness
After gathering the knowledge about myself in the context of my personality, learning style, and decision making, it was crucial to decide among various available opportunities after graduation. A number of options were obtainable; for instance, research work, admission in postgraduate study, graduate jobs, self-employment, or charity jobs to gain some practical experience. To evaluate these options, I looked at the positive and negative aspects of each alternative. For example, the research work option was not considered because it requires lots knowledge about the topic and also needs plenty of time and resources to conduct experiments. More importantly, it was not a suitable choice after graduation because research results in the electrical engineering domain must be accurately recorded and published
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(Basden and Klein, 2008). In case of any mistake in the findings, it may not rectifiable or requires additional time and resources to reconcile the outcomes. The MSc Electrical Engineering course offered by Southampton Solent University attracted me a lot as it is fully relevant to my study background, but I dropped this option for the time being because of extremely high fee i.e. 15,000+ for international students. Another foremost reason for not taking admission in postgraduate study was to consider the opinions of various experts who focused on obtaining one or two years practical experience before doing an MSc particularly in the science and engineering fields (Boschi, 1999). The UK government specifically HMRC encourages graduates to start a new business but in fact it requires ample capital and widespread knowledge and information about the UK market. Therefore, self-employment option was also dropped. Finally, two options i.e. graduate employment and voluntary work were adequate for me but I was confused which one to prefer to secure my future. In this regard, I critically evaluated both options by comparing them with each other on the basis of their similarities and differences. These similarities and differences are illustrated in table 2 in appendix E. By comparing these two ultimate options, I felt that graduate job is an adequate for me after graduation especially in terms of learning practical things as well as enhancing my skills, knowledge, and abilities. In addition, by doing graduation job I will be able to save money to support myself during postgraduate studies as well. I will try to focus on doing electronic technician or trainee engineering job because I guess I will get more opportunities to learn whilst working at operational level along with senior engineers and technicians.

4. Decision Making
Prior to evaluating different available alternatives after graduation, I was unsure which one to choose to secure my future and also to best use of my skills learned during graduation. But comparing different alternatives with each other gave me a clear direction and therefore I preferred graduate employment because during the job I will be able to utilise my knowledge and skills that I developed during graduate studies. In addition, the practical experience in the electrical engineering domain will also help me during my postgraduate studies in the future. Now the question was which particular jobs I can apply for. In order to resolve this matter and also to clarify my career path for applying graduate jobs, I used career pathfinder tool provided by workbc.ca. The pathfinder provided me 10 adequate job suggestions that match with my background study (see appendix F). Using this tool it was clear about the jobs I can
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apply for because ultimately all are relevant and I can achieve my personal long-term goals and short-term objectives by working with senior electrical or electronic engineers during my jobs.

5. Opportunity Search
After the decision, I started to find and apply for graduate work schemes in the engineering sector. By some means I was mystified about which source is best for me for applying graduate jobs. For example, I was supposed to select one or two sources such as newspapers, internet, or recruitment agencies. In these days, online job search is popular due to its underlying benefits (e.g. quick, cost effective, effortless, and convenient) over conventional methods (Brown, 2008). In addition, various websites are particularly designed for jobs in specific domains. For example, Hays.co.uk and Reed.co.uk provide an opportunity to engineering students to find particular jobs in specified areas as convenient to them. Although, Career Box allows students to find employers adequately but priority was given to Reed and Hays due to their popularity for the availability of variety of jobs especially for fresh graduates. Through these recruitment websites, I applied for 10 jobs in engineering companies and received interview calls from two companies. The both copies of job advertisements are placed in appendix G where job title, description, salary, and other requirements are mentioned in detail. My first preference is to work in the UK for at least 2 years and then take admission in MSc in Electrical Engineering. In the meanwhile, I have also developed my profile on LinkedIn to develop relationships with professionals in my field. This strategy is the part of my long-term planning because ultimately after finishing my MSc. I will go back to KSA for obtain greater opportunities.

6. Application and CV
According to Corfield (2006), the Curriculum Vitae (CV) has a critical role for a candidate to bring him on the interview seat. Similarly, a well-ordered and regimented CV also impresses employers and let them understand the education and experience levels of the candidate. Before studying Career and CV building unit my CV was not impressive and standardised. But the unit helps me to develop an attractive CV with meaningful updated information regarding my career objective, education, experience, new knowledge and skills, and capabilities. Overall, I am satisfied with the unit in assisting me to develop a new CV replacing my old tedious resume. The major changes I made in my CV are: adding career objective, adding skills and abilities section, and updating my educational and qualification
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details more professionally. I am confident that these changes will allow me to confidently apply for graduate employment schemes.

7. Selection
The mock interview was the last element of the career search process. The mock interview before real interview gives confidence to interviewee especially when the interviewer pinpoints strong and weak points of the interviewee by providing timely and detailed feedback. The mock interview was arranged for me to lessen interview nervousness during the real interviews with two companies from where I received interview calls. These two interviews will be held for electronic technician and trainee engineer posts respectively. But I was supposed to select one post for the mock interview and thus I gave a mock interview for Electronics Technician. The feedback for mock interview is available in appendix I. The overall feedback was positive as the interviewer, Judith Hanley, indicates some positive points about my interview such as regularity, stable eye contact, excellence of cover letter, professionalism of CV, and polite and friendly communication throughout the interview. Apart from these positive aspects, the following key areas for improvement are also highlighted: Wear tie and suit in the real interview; Add more detail to my CV particularly about topics studied at the university that are relevant to the job applied for; The information in cover letter should be reflected in my CV; Give proper and detailed answers of the questions asked by the interviewer Above stated areas for improvement provide me the opportunity to prepare myself for the real interview.

8. Conclusion
I must say that overall I acquired excess new knowledge and developed valuable skills over the duration of career and CV building unit. Furthermore, I learned about: o the paramount significance of developing a comprehensive portfolio and understanding how it can assist me in my career growth
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o the significance of building self-awareness using various tools and techniques in order to recognise my abilities, personality type, and preferences and also knowing the strengths and weaknesses o the consequence of opportunity awareness and decision making in my professional career to foresee opportunities o developing eye catching CV to apply online jobs through recruitment websites o the significance of preparation before the real interview to achieve considerable success o how to develop various transferable skills and abilities that can help me at work o last but not least, writing an effective reflective statement On the basis of the above, I can be said that it is vital for a student to obtain quality education from a reputable institution as it will have deep impact on its entire career.

REFERENCES
Basden, A. and Klein, H.K. (2008). New research directions for data and knowledge engineering: A philosophy of language approach. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 67(2), pp. 260-285. Boschi, N. (1999). Education and training in indoor air science. Springer Boud, D., Keogh, R. and Walker, R. (1985). Reflection: Turning Experience into Learning. London: Kogan Page. Brown, L.E. (2008). Job seekers on the internet: An empirical analysis. ProQuest Corfield, R. (2006). Preparing the perfect CV: How to make a great impression and get the job you want. 4th edition, Kogan Page Publishers Driscoll, M. P. (1994). Psychology of learning for instruction. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon Driscoll, J. (2000). Practising Clinical Supervision. Edinburgh: Balliere-Tindall Evans, C. (2006). Learning styles in education and training. Emerald Group Publishing Ferrari, M.D. and Sternberg, R.J. (1998). Self-awareness: its nature and development . Guilford Press Gibbs G. (1988). Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford: Further Education Unit Greener, S., Bourner, T. and Rospigliosi, A. (2011). Graduate employment. Bookboon Holland, J. L., Johnston, J. A., & Asama, N. F. (1993). The Identity Scale: A diagnostic and treatment tool. Journal of Career Assessment, 1, pp. 112 Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Lock, R.D. (2004). Taking charge of your career direction: career planning guide. 5th edition, Cengage Learning Myers, Isabel Briggs with Peter B. Myers (1980, 1995). Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. Reis, M. (2010). A managers guide to human behaviour. 5th edition, AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn
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Online Links BC Student Outcomes (2013). Career Pathfinder. [online]. Available from: http://www.workbc.ca/Jobs/JobSeekers/CareerExplorer.aspx [Accessed: 11 February 2013] John Holland Career Choice Test http://www.123test.com/career-test/ Jung MBTI Test http://www.123test.com/jung-personality-test/ Solent CareerBox http://solent.ac.uk/careerbox VAK Learning Style Self-assessment Questionnaire http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Solent Career Box

Source: http://solent.ac.uk/careerbox

Appendix B John Holland Career Choice Test

Test source: http://www.123test.com/career-test/

Appendix C: VAK Learning Style Self-assessment Questionnaire

Bold and Italicized options are my selection 1. When I operate new equipment I generally: a) b) c) read the instructions first listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it

2. When I need directions for travelling I usually: a) b) c) look at a map ask for spoken directions follow my nose and maybe use a compass

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to: a) b) c) follow a written recipe call a friend for an explanation follow my instincts, testing as I cook

4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to: a) b) c) write instructions down for them give them a verbal explanation demonstrate first and then let them have a go

5. I tend to say: a) b) c) watch how I do it listen to me explain you have a go

6. During my free time I most enjoy: a) going to museums and galleries

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b) c)

listening to music and talking to my friends playing sport or doing DIY

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to: a) b) c) imagine what they would look like on discuss them with the shop staff try them on and test them out

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually: a) b) c) read lots of brochures listen to recommendations from friends imagine what it would be like to be there

9. If I was buying a new car, I would: a) b) c) read reviews in newspapers and magazines discuss what I need with my friends test-drive lots of different types

10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable: a) b) c) watching what the teacher is doing talking through with the teacher exactly what Im supposed to do giving it a try myself and work it out as I go

11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to: a) b) c) imagine what the food will look like talk through the options in my head or with my partner imagine what the food will taste like

12. When I listen to a band, I cant help: a) watching the band members and other people in the audience
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b) c)

listening to the lyrics and the beats moving in time with the music

13. When I concentrate, I most often: a) b) c) focus on the words or the pictures in front of me discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things

14. I choose household furnishings because I like: a) b) c) their colours and how they look the descriptions the sales-people give me their textures and what it feels like to touch them

15. My first memory is of: a) b) c) looking at something being spoken to doing something

16. When I am anxious, I: a) b) c) visualise the worst-case scenarios talk over in my head what worries me most cant sit still, fiddle and move around constantly

17. I feel especially connected to other people because of: a) b) c) how they look what they say to me how they make me feel

18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally: a) write lots of revision notes and diagrams
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b) c)

talk over my notes, alone or with other people imagine making the movement or creating the formula

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to: a) b) c) show them what I mean explain to them in different ways until they understand encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it

20. I really love: a) b) c) watching films, photography, looking at art or people watching listening to music, the radio or talking to friends taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing

21. Most of my free time is spent: a) b) c) watching television talking to friends doing physical activity or making things

22. When I first contact a new person, I usually: a) b) c) arrange a face to face meeting talk to them on the telephone try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal

23. I first notice how people: a) b) c) look and dress sound and speak stand and move

24. If I am angry, I tend to: a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me
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b) c)

raise my voice and tell people how I feel stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

25. I find it easiest to remember: a) b) c) faces names things I have done

26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if: a) b) c) they avoid looking at you their voices changes they give me funny vibes

27. When I meet an old friend: a) b) c) I say its great to see you! I say its great to hear from you! I give them a hug or a handshake

28. I remember things best by: a) b) c) writing notes or keeping printed details saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done

29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable: a) b) c) writing a letter complaining over the phone taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office

30. I tend to say: a) I see what you mean

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b) c)

I hear what you are saying I know how you feel

Explanation: If somebody chosen most As, it means he/she is having VISUAL learning style; If somebody chosen most Bs, it means he/she is having AUDITORY learning style; and If somebody chosen most Cs, it means he/she is having KINAESTHETIC learning style Results: A = 5, B = 5, C = 20

Source: http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm

Appendix D: Jung MBTI Test

Test source: http://www.123test.com/jung-personality-test/

Appendix E: Tables
Table 1: Career SWOT Analysis Strengths o Practical approach of getting things done o Deep thinking, exploratory and analytical nature o Energetic and communicative o Enterprising and conventional o Flexible in personality, easily adjustable o Well-organised o Quality believer o Compatible in team working environment o Focused mind o International study exposure o Rapid problem handling skills o Fluent in English and Arabic Opportunities o Plenty of opportunities in my country due to foreign qualification o Graduate jobs to enrich practical working skills o Self employment o Admission in postgraduate course o Research work Weaknesses o Does not like administrative works o Reluctant to support or guide others o More conventional rather than social or enterprising o Can be aggregative to other o Require sufficient information to complete the project o Over conscious in completing tasks o Lack of intuitive skills o Bored from routine and repeated tasks

Internal

Threats o Increasing fees for postgraduate courses o Job competition in KSA and UK markets o Lack of capital, information, and skills of running own business

External

Table 2: Graduate employment vs. Voluntary work Graduate job Similarities Knowledge and experience Skill development and improvement Succession planning Overcoming self limiting beliefs Goal attainment Contribution to the business Personal satisfaction Differences Remuneration (or financial assistance) Potential opportunities Level of responsibility (legal or ethical) Time consuming Working hours Reliability Employer-employee relationship Routine Sense of social responsibility Trust and loyalty Yes More High No Fixed Strong Strong Yes No High Pocket money Less Low Could be Flexible Weak Weak No Yes Low Sources: Greener et al. (2011) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Voluntary work

Appendix F: Pathfinder

Source: BC Student Outcomes (2013)

Appendix G: Job Advertisements

Appendix H: New Curriculum Vitae

RASHED MOHAMMED ALDAWSARI Personal Detail

Address: 51 Endeavour court, 50 Channel way, Southampton, So14 GD Mob #: 07808501665 Email: rmd.111@hotmail.com Nationality: Saudi DOB: 14/03/1985 Status: Married

Career Objective
Looking for a demanding and reliable position in a progressive firm for professional development and personal growth in order to attain organisational and personal long term goals and short term objectives

Professional Experience
SAAB BANK (Jan06 July-06) Call Center Support Representative Job Description:

Inbound support Outbound calling

Educational Qualification
BSE (HONS) ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING Southampton Solent University UK

THE GENERAL ALSULAYYL SECONDARY SCHOOL 2003 HUTAIN PRIMARY SCHOOL 1997

Skills and Abilities

Problem solving Customer Relationship Presentation Skills Communication Skills Quick learner, Self-directed Team player Computer literate
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Good written, spoken, and listening skills

Appendix I: Mock Job Interview Feedback

Overall summary of performance Name: Rashed Mohammed Aldawsari Position interviewed for: Electronics Technician Interviewer: Judith Hanley A brief summary of positive aspects and any key areas for improvement/development: Positive Aspects You arrived early for your interview and were polite and friendly. During the interview you maintained good eye contact and were leaning forward in your seat. You were not dressed for an interview but were able to say that for a real interview you would wear a suit and tie. Your cover letter was well laid out and contained all the relevant information required, but some of it had been copied and pasted directly from the job advert. Ideally you should use the job advert as a prompt but then put this into your own words. Your CV looked professional, well laid out and included all of the key topics expected from a CV. When answering the interview questions, if you did not fully understand the questions, you had the confidence to ask for it to be clarified before answering. Key areas for improvement Your CV is the perfect length of 1 side of A4, but it could be improved by adding more detail especially around topics studied at university that are relevant to your job application and duties you undertook in your last job. Detail mentioned in your cover letter was not reflected in your CV. If you presented your CV without a cover letter an employer would not see sufficient detail to offer you an interview. Make sure your CV promotes you in the best way possible by adding more detail and examples. When answering the interview questions, your answers were very short and did not always fully answer the question asked. You did not go into any detail or use many examples from your work or studies. You did not really say enough for a judgement to be made on your ability to do the job applied for. Date: 22nd February 2013