Past, Present and Future Essay Example for Free

Past, Present and Future Essay As I was preparing to write this personal assessment paper, I cannot help but be reminded of an age-old adage which goes, â€Å"an unexamined life is not worth living† – a wisdom saying claimed to have been coined by the philosopher Socrates. Specifically in view of my stay here at the University of Phoenix, I have many good reasons to suppose that looking back at my personal and professional growth in this learning institution is indeed an aspect worth examining. Not only does it afford me of a chance to chart the progress of my learning journey, it also gives me a rare opportunity to reflect on how my life has significantly changed over the years. In many ways, I believe that what stands to be of paramount importance in examining one’s life lies in being able to learn from the experiences of the past. And I find this especially true for myself since I am coming from a kind of University experience that opened many windows for the acquisition of many learning skills, and the nurturance of lasting relationships as well. With these in mind, I shall reflect on study program that I took at the University of Phoenix with eyes fixed on charting my personal and professional growth relative to the whole study process. As required, this personal assessment paper shall be divided into three distinct but related parts: starting the program, undergoing the program, and the impact of the program on my future life. Recounting experiences at the start of University program Early on in life, I was already introduced to the idea that academic learning is exceedingly important not only because it can become a sure ticket for a rewarding professional life later on, but also because it is a noble endeavor in itself. My parents have constantly reminded me of this almost sacred teaching. Which is why, I consider learning to be an issue of no little importance in my personal growth and development. In ways more than one, this is the reason why I decided to pursue my studies at the University of Phoenix. Specifically, I was moved by a desire to finish my studies so as to later on pursue a greater life-defining goal – to land a career in the field of management. I have to admit that starting a University life is not as easy and sweet as many people would have thought it. At least for myself, I have had a fair amount of anxieties, biases, fears and hesitations that I had to firstly wrestle with before finding myself comfortably abreast with the whole school system. Even if I had the courage to pursue an inner belief on the importance of learning, I should say that my first steps at the University were indeed nerve-wracking, since I had to let go of my little comfort zones and expand my horizon for the sake of learning. But while these memorable days were an initially rocky path, I think that I fared relatively well in handling myself successfully, with a little push and support from my family, friends and peers. I started out my studies at the University as a student at the beginner’s level. In many ways, my problem solving and communication skills definitely needed some serious reinforcements. I knew I had the basic knowledge and skill to pull through though; but surely, they need to be further improved if only I could succeed in my University journey. I was able to pass academic requirements in a manner rather fair and prompt. But I must admit that I was able to accomplish many things not without difficulties. For instance, I discovered that doing analysis and assessments involving critical thinking were not that easy. I did also encounter difficulties in terms of information retrieval, inasmuch as I had to joggle up a number of subjects requiring memorizations, retentions, and practical ways of applying formulas and principles in many assignments and projects. And while I believe that my social and relational skills were aspects that have served me well in the past, my University studies was to even more teach me how to use these skills in a manner distinctly practical, so I can effectively collaborate with my co-students and professors. After years of pursuing an academic learning here in the University though, I honestly think that I have improved a lot in almost all these aspects; as I now possess, all things considered, a competence level of an intermediate student. Assessing personal growth during my University studies A multi-faceted learning approach is what in essence the University of Phoenix afforded me over the years. I have little doubts that the subjects which I took at the University contributed a lot to my growth. Specifically, I have to mention that I was helped enormously in my writing skills. I know right from the onset that I could not write well. And perhaps, this weakness shows even now. In fact, I have encountered difficulties in completing many assignments or projects that needed a fair amount of effective writing skills. It was, to say the least, difficult to get myself staying motivated in matters or subjects where I know I am are not adequately adept with. With much patience and practice though, I think that I was able to improve myself quite significantly in this area. My University studies have enabled me to gather vital insights that I can use in the future. In particular, I feel that certain general education courses may prove to be critical in view of my potential management career in the future. The first one concerns Human Motivation subject, as offered by Psychology 320 course. This is, I believe, chiefly important for any career in management, as it gives students necessary insights and skills to know what motivates people. The management profession entails a lot of handling human resources; i. e. , the people themselves. By studying Human Motivation, I am able to gain necessary knowledge that would not only make me know the factors that motivate people, but also learn appropriate approaches or methods to effectively motivate them. Second, I feel that ISCOM 476, otherwise known as the â€Å"Integrated Supply Chain Application†, is another important course as well. If only to explain, what this course did for me was to make me distinguish between the things that I have honestly learned and those that I have unfortunately missed. The subject was in many ways an eye opener for myself. It gave me insights into the areas that I need to brush up in relation to the previous courses that I have taken. Ultimately, though, I feel that I can use this course to help an organization become successful in what they are trying to achieve in the business. Besides, the course is chiefly about understanding logistics; and, in a career that oversees not only the proper handling of human resources but also key company transactions, the course shall definitely help me improve my management skills later on in my professional life. As for my personal recommendation, I would propose developing a more personal rapport between student and teachers. I do wish to imply that the University professors barely care for the individual performances of their students. Far from it. On the contrary, what I would suggest is to promote healthy student-teacher relations that could bring into the fore individual difficulties encountered by students, as they go about learning the subjects they are currently into. When properly assessed, students can surely address what needs to be done if there are some learning skills or subjects that they find difficult to put up with. I have personally encountered having to put up with the demands of a current subject while brushing up the knowledge I have learned from the previous courses. In many ways, this can be avoided. Developing an effective individual colloquium approach to learning shall, I believe, make students more adjusted into the demands of the current subjects that they are undertaking. Analyzing the impact of University learning on later life Completing a University bachelor’s program in many ways gives me an overwhelming feeling of contentment, pride, and most notably, joy. But perhaps, more than giving me a reason to be proud of myself, I feel that the finishing the University program of my choice has a role to fulfill in my life long learning later on. Finishing the program is surely not an end as it is more like another beginning for my life. It is an accepted knowledge that learning is a process that never stops; i. e. , for as long as a human person lives, he or she needs to learn until death. In many ways, this is how I view life as well. I feel that lifelong learning is something that one needs to achieve in life. And as such, it is something that should not stop. I take root from my personal experience here at the University of Phoenix. Honestly, I think that that I many reasons to quit from the program. The difficulties of having to put up with the intense learning processes of this school system are really one bulk of problem to solve, to say the least. But I did not allow discouraging results, nor pieces of advice of other people (against finishing the degree) get in the way of my desire to finish my studies. In life, this too applies. A person should not let no one stop him or her from finishing something that one truly takes interest in. Far more critical, I am of the firm believe that lifelong learning needs all the support one can get from people who care. Since learning has to be life long, and that it need not to stop after University schooling, I have set forth certain plans in view of acquiring further knowledge. In the years to come, I plan to reinforce the fundamental learning I received from the University by following it up though an array of available study learning programs. Firstly, I intend to attend logistics seminars in the next few months. Realizing that this is critical area for my prospective job, I feel that I need to reinforce my learning to further increase my competence in such a field. Moreover, I plan to further develop my communications and management skills. Communications skills, specifically writing (as I mentioned), were really a weakness that I was able to adequately address. But that does not mean I was able to achieve an expertise or mastery of it. I know that, at the end of the day, I need to improve this aspect more and more. Being a professional entails that one has achieved a certain level of competence in both what one knows, and how one effectively expresses what one knows. In my case, I am pretty aware I need to effectively express myself in both the oral and written manner of communication, in order to better convey and practice the management skills that I have acquired. As indeed, I am aware that I need to be very aware of any new approaches to management strategies as the years go by. What the University has afforded me is a fundamental knowledge about management; but surely, in the years to come, new innovations and challenges that the University studies were not able to address shall inevitably emerge. I know that when that time comes, I need to handle myself successfully as I did so during my student stint at the University. Thus, in order to keep with the pace of ever changing needs of the companies, I plan on improving my management skills by attending seminars and short courses as well. Right now though, I have neither pondered nor decided over the specific company or organization to join with. Suffice it to say that for the time being, I am contemplating on attending a master’s program on management. In this way, not only I am going to be able to address my specific learning needs, I shall also in the process further improve my competence level to that of an expert, ready to take on anything that life has to eventually offer.

Portia in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice and Abigail of Marlowes

Portia in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and Abigail of Marlowe's the Jew of Malta Portia and Abigail are two characters with very different values. Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice remained true to her religion, and her father’s wishes throughout the play. Abigail, on the other hand, changed religions and disobeyed her father. However, the writers used these two women to make similar statements about religion. Portia represented the quintessential Christian. Abigail of Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta, was more of an ethically ambiguous character, but it can still be argued that she was the most principled character in the play. Both Shakespeare and Marlowe used the daughter character to represent the ideal human being. In The Merchant of Venice the ideal human being is the perfect Christian. In The Jew of Malta the ideal is more of a Machiavellian that can still display some love and loyalty. Regardless of the principles Shakespeare and Marlowe wish to convey in their plays, they both chose young, females to express them. Portia was defined by her obedience. She remained strictly obedient to the law and to her father’s wishes without ever wavering. She did complain a little but did not consider breaking either the rules of the law or her father. Portia first showed her law-abiding nature when she remained true to her father’s wishes despite her desire to do otherwise. In Portia’s first scene she is quite upset about the terms of her father’s will. â€Å"I may neither choose who I would, nor/ refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter/ curb’d be the will of a dead father. Is it not hard,/ Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, now refuse none?† (Merchant of Venice, I.ii.23-26). ... ...conform with her father’s religion, unlike Portia who wanted only a Christian like her father. Abigail was so upset by Mathias’ death caused by Barabas, that she converts to Christianity and becomes a nun. Abigail’s conversion was the ultimate betrayal of her father. It was not the law of Malta that governed Abigail’s actions before Mathias’ death, but the rules of her father. She stayed loyal to her father’s laws in everything but loving Mathias. When Barabas’ demands of her caused the death of her lover, Abigail decided to defy him. To Abigail, love was more important than her duty to her family. Regardless of whether Abigail was governed more by her love for Mathias or her duty to Barabas, what set her apart from the other characters in The Jew of Malta was that she was governed less by Machiavellian principles and more by Christian-like motives.

How Would You Advise Your Management Staff to Successfully?

ow How would you advise your management staff to successfully manage this large scale change of the organization? I would enlighten them that managing organizational change can be for the better or worst sometimes. Many organizations create a partnership to build a centralize complex to recognize the organization differences. When change is implemented a formal strategy need to be put in place, This will allow the organization to identify the impact of forthcoming changes and make organizational or functional changes to ensure service levels are not reduced.Change management entails thoughtful planning and sensitive implementation, and above all, consultation with, and involvement of, the people affected by the changes. If you force change on people normally problems arise. Change must be realistic, achievable and measurable. When first starting to prepare for this change Senior MGMT thought-out; what do we want to achieve with this change, why, and how will we know that the change h as been achieved? Who is affected by this change, and how will they react to it? How much of this change can we achieve ourselves, and what parts of the change do we need help with?These aspects also relate strongly to the management of personal as well as organizational change. I think that it’s important for my staff to know the benefits of partnering with the other organization, with there funds and our resources we can build a stronger organization, which can aid, finance, and help our growing organization in a given industry that will grow rapidly without having to create another business entity. Senior MGMT of both organizations has discussed best practices and the issues that are the perceived potential benefits behind the merger openly and frankly. EX. ) If organization A's strength is sales and they are absorbing organization B in part because of B's distribution capabilities, make sure A's distribution people know to listen to B's distribution people and B's sales f orce understands the opportunity to learn from A’s. My plans are to express to them that the changes will be better for the organization and make us more successful. So I will focus on trying to sell the benefits of the changes and then get staff to participate so they feel as if they are a part of the changes.When people contribute to changes that affect them they are more adapted to accept them. I would express that we have the full support of senior management so things will move rapidly. I plan to emphasize a team-oriented approach in providing the right mix of strategic guidance, hands-on leadership and deep industry domain expertise in helping the individuals and their teams to become market-leading organizations. 1. What are the organizational crisis issues that need to be addressed? One of the problems mention is that the staff in the different areas is using stove piped systems.That makes it harder for an organization to be efficient which is why the new partner is s uggesting creating the new system. To eliminate the concerns of staff that the new partner doesn't understand their business, they should be made part of the team that works on the requirements for the new system. That way they can make sure it will support the way we do business and meet their needs at the same time. Each function is important to the success of a merger. Consider the way a merger will affect the other organization and then use those lessons to minimize the same effects of our organization.Another problem is that employees are worried about whether there jobs are changing and weather they will have the skills need to work on the new system. If employees are fully involved with the new implementation then have the skills to work with the new systems will be a given, when the organizations partner training and workshops we be apart of the reconciling. Recognize the pros and cons of the organizations becoming partner: Pros: ? More resource for future growth ? Take adva ntage of economic of scale Cons: ? Might loss competitive advantages Might bear the risk of not successfully integrate A rational decision making model provides a structured and sequenced approach to decision making. Using such an approach can help to ensure discipline and consistency is built into your decision making process. The fact that the Bill Gates foundation wants to change the culture of the organization because of the $20 Million dollar donation can cause a lot of conflict and have the employees who have created and build the old organization think that what was built is not effective enough to keep the organizationB functioning.If senior management takes to long to make timely decisions then the organization can’t really move forward and manufacture like a top organization. When the problems are identified use the employees to create a new way of functioning, identify the most probable causes for the current system and improbable causes and use those results to wo rk with the other organization to build your new effective system. Some potential problems that organization should be aware of when they must make decisions during a crisis is Cultural disconnect, Culture change management is not indulgent; it is a critical aspect of any transaction.However, simply acknowledging the issue or handing it off to specialists is not enough. Management must set a vision, align leadership around it, and hold substantive events to give employees a chance to participate. Detailed actions and well articulated expectations of behavior connect the culture plan to the organizations goals. Also, keeping information too close is a natural hesitancy that the organization should avoid; I know that current regulations put pressure on what management can tell the organization without going to public disclosure.However, absent real facts, the rumor mill will fill the void. Tell employees what you can. Also, tell them what you can't tell them at the moment, why, and wh en you will be able to do so. What are some steps that the organization can take to avoid those problems or to minimize their negative impact? ? Choose the right conversion team; the organization will need employees who demonstrate excellent people skills and the ability to â€Å"finesse† any situation to the benefit of the organization.Make sure the transition team is appropriate for the area or department they talk to and can easily relate to people in various departments. ? Be in constant, honest communication with employees; All employees want accurate information from management, and they want to know the truth, even if it’s difficult. No matter what the news is, good or bad, your employees want to hear it, so always be totally open and honest about what is to come.If your employees feel out of the loop, they’ll assume the worst, and you can expect a negative effect on efficiency. Both partnering entities need to be consistently communicators with employees and ensure that whatever they’re communicating is 100% accurate. ? Give assurance about change; Help your employees to deal with change, even if that change seems minor to you it might be big to them . People fear change so Executives need to do everything they can to help minimize the anxiety that people naturally have.

The Effects Of Movies On Child Psychology - 930 Words

Detrimental effects of movies on child psychology After the advent of first motion picture cameras in 1890s, movies have become one of our best ways to alleviate stress and manifest feelings and concepts. Movies are the mirror of a society that reflects social practices, incidents and imperfections. Movies are one of the effective means to sow the seeds of aspirations, ideas for making the utopian fantasy to reality. However, in recent years, in order to allure more viewers, movies have followed a disturbing inclination towards violent and sexually explicit storylines. The issue of movies instigating violence in the society is a difficult social conundrum. Number crunching shows that there is an increase of crimes based on violent plots. However, the most unsettling impact of violent plots is on the minds of children and adolescents. Children are vulnerable to accepting the fabrication of the movies as a reality. Many psychological researches have shown that, the exposure of the viol ent scenes has increased the physical and verbal aggression amongst children. Eliminating all violence from media fades away the reality. As parental control of these matters is impracticable, policy makers and broadcasters should censor upon the violent scenes based on the level and usage of violence. Many researches have shown that aggression can be a result of physiological arousal. The excitation transfer theory (Zillmann, 1983) states ‘Arousal elicited by external sources (e.g.,Show MoreRelatedChildren Who View Media Violence1133 Words   |  5 Pages1) In 1999 a study was done stating that fifty-two percent of children who watched horror movies/TV shows, would wake up in the middle of the night with night terrors. Another study was conducted in 2003, this time it was based off of psychology. 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