Journal-Liberal Arts

REFLECTION 4

Job Skills Refection’s

Tasha Smith

LIB495: Capstone - Advanced Research Project

Justin Brumit

05/31/2017

The Liberal Arts degree has prepared me for many career fields for my future, one I have not chosen yet. I have been working in the medical field for almost 10 years and am undecided if I will pursue a Management position or move to a different career field. A major in the Liberal Studies gives an academic foundation and provides me with the opportunity to develop the skills employers value in employees. These include: oral and written communication, interpersonal, teamwork, technical, analytical, critical thinking, organizational, and problem solving skills. Acquiring these skills will make a big difference in my career and boost my employability within the Veterans Affairs if I chose to stay within the Career field.

There have been many changes in my thinking and in my maturity since beginning this journey of college and transitioning over to Liberal Arts. I began college as a Nursing Student 5 years ago, but soon realized that was not the career for me because I could not be on my feet all day because of an old War injury. I felt very defeated and depressed and it took me six months of being out of school to realize that all I had to do was just stick with the medical field and hopefully just become management or some other area of the workforce in the hospital that needed me. So I then decided that the Liberal Arts field was the way to go. Ashford University allowed me to work and study online. It has been challenging but not impossible considering I have a traumatic brain injury. I realize anybody can accomplish anything as long as they put their minds to it.

I will apply what I have learned by being adaptable as a job candidate in today’s economy as a recent graduate. I feel that Ashford has prepared me to deliver almost any project my future employers gives me. Ashford has taught me great Research methods and in-depth critical thinking skills which employers across many fields seek out in candidates. Liberal Arts has challenged my view on history, creativity, and the Arts. I have become more vocal of a person and have been able to have more meaningful conversations with my adult friends about topics I never thought possible. Applying my entire education towards my daily life has been a very rewarding and positive factor. I have achieved more respect from colleagues, my children are very proud of me and that is the exact type of example I want to be leading by for them.

Acquiring new skills is very important to me and I am always looking to improve myself further. Since beginning and now coming to an end of my degree my communication skills have become stronger and my writing abilities have improved. My reading comprehension has improved and is a plus for the reports I must interpret for doctors and revise. My analytical abilities at work have helped a lot in meeting coming up with ideas and putting those ideas on paper and graphs to show my bosses. This can defiantly give me a head up with leaders. I have also become much better at handling more complex job tasks and giving reports how to fix those tasks.

At the current time, I do not have any current job prospect’s. I am currently trying to become management the Veteran Affairs Office in Florida. That process is a very long process to be relocated and a phone interview is a difficult one. If I cannot continue with the Veteran Affairs Office in the next few months and relocate then I will consider another company to move to. I do plan on continuing with my Master’s Degree I just am not exactly sure when. I plan on taking the summer off and taking a cruise and getting married in July. I have truly enjoyed my time with Ashford and I am considering continuing my education with Ashford if I can take the time and figure out what exactly I want to pursue in my future. I just 40 and it’s all a bit confusing, I feel at a bit of a standstill in my current job. It has been a wonderful ride and I love to learn so who knows I may be right back here in just a few short months furthering my education even more.