List and describe at least 3 people or experiences that you are grateful for over the past 4 weeks. Why was this meaningful for you?:
I'm going to list two people and one experience. I would like to thank David, my boss, who gave me the chance to work at Walter Andersens in the first place. I would also like to thank Tony, my coworker and who I shadowed on my first day (and ever since). Thank you for teaching me everything I know about the store (and for teaching me about the wonderful art of bonsai). An experience I really appreciated was when I was helping thiis elderly couple find a plant the other day. They came in looking for an Indian Hawthorne. A plant I know well enough. However when it came to finding it, it took some time. they waited patiently, and thanked me for my help once I did finally find it. Then the husband came back later and asked me to help them lift the bush they liked. After I helped them again, the husband made a joke about my muscles. We all laughed a bit, and they thanked me for my help again. Anyways, the point is, they could of been very rude and impatient with me. They were very nice, and brightened my day. It's a little thing, but it made ,me happy. Write a thank you note of some sort to someone who helped you over the past 4 weeks, and send it to them.: Dear Tony, Thank you for letting me follow you around for most of this past month. you have truly taught mew many things about this job,. and nurseries in general. I would also like to thank you for helping me make my first bonsai (especially since you were scolded on that day for taking too long on your break). I've enjoyed your stories about Italy, and your grandfather whom I can tell you love very much. Thank you for letting me work with you.
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Describe how a specific skill you acquired in high school was valuable in your externship. How did you learn that skill? How were you able to use it? Or perhaps was there is a skill you needed but didn't have. How did you deal with that?
Something I have learned (not perfected, but learned) Is how to speak professionally, and in front of groups of people.. whether it was for projects, presentations, etc. During my externship I've had to tap into that skill when speaking to customers. It has always been hard for me to have a strong voice in front of those in front of those I am not comfortable around, and I know that this mind set held me back with helping customers at first. But, I eventually willed through it, and now I help customers every day (or to the best of my abilities). How has your externship been similar to AND different from projects you've done in high school? Well it's similar because of the skills I have to use (as mentioned in the answer above), but it's also very different..When I go to my internship, it's work. In the most literal way. The atmosphere is different, the way your coworkers and boss treat you is different from students and teachers. Also, dealing with customers is different. They expect you to know everything if you have a sun hat and a pair of plant trimmers in your hand.. I have been called an "expert" on plants many times just because I am working there, which I am most certainly not. Even people who have been working there awhile don't like to call themselves professionals. My point is, because I am working there people expect me to be able to answer all their questions, which is not likely. Not just because this is an externship, and I'm suppose to be learning myself. I'm sure even if i had worked there for awhile, there would still be many things I don't know yet. But everyday is a learning experience. Every time I can't help a customer, I learn how to from another employee, so that I may be ready for it next time. What are some challenges that you have encountered and what are the steps you have taken to address and overcome those challenges?:
At first I was was really nervous about having the customers ask me questions, and using the work walkie-talkies to ask my coworkers questions. It's gotten easier as I've come to know my coworkers better, and have had time to remember the layout, and common questions people ask. How have your mentor and your co-workers supported you in your growth in skills and knowledge?: Yes! My coworkers are constantly teaching me new things as we work, and even allow me to sit in on the classes they teach every Saturday. They have been nothing but supportive since the day I arrived, Prompt #1: Describe your project or internship. What are you excited about? Nervous about?
My job at my internship is to shadow different employees so I can learn about the work needed to efficiently run a nursery. I'm excited to be able to work around plants all day, and be able to familiarize myself with the different plants we work with. This internship is also very special to me, because not only did my mother and father meet working at Walter Andersen Rosecrans, but my mom later transferred to Walter Andersen Poway (where I am working currently) when it was brand new, and help set it up. I'm nervous about not being knowledgeable enough to help customers effectively, or that my clumsiness shows in my work. Prompt #2: Describe a new skill or new knowledge that you acquired this week while in externship. Since I have only been to my internship once this week (I do not work Monday or Wednesdays due to my college courses) I haven't really picked up a new skill yet. However, I have been learning since I've shown up. I've mostly learned where we keep our different plants (vegetables, native plants, trees, shrubs, etc.) but I'm also starting to learn about the different diseases that affect plants, and how to treat them. Because Walter Andersen offers such great help with all questions customers have about their plants, I feel like I can learn things just by being around my coworkers. I am confident that as time goes on, I will continue to learn a lot from my internship. I will be working at Walter Andersen Nursery. There I will be learning about plants, helping customers, general care and maintenance of the plants, and hopefully i'll get to take care of the store's chickens.. My mentor is David Wallace, a friend and previous co-worker of my mother.
I'm excited about getting to be surrounded by plants, being around the chickens, and working in the place my mom was at twenty years ago I'm worried about messing up when I first start out, or not being able to really help customers with anything. |
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