This has not changed from the first draft of this plan but I suspect as we go further down the bootcamp wormhole this section may change significantly.
I think my biggest strength is going to be my ability to connect with people. I do like to be around other people and I do settle into new environments fairly quickly and do not have a problem introducing myself to new people and getting involved with them in whatever tasks are at hand.
My biggest limitations will probably be myself. I can self depreciate and second guess myself in terms of how much I understand or feel like I can contribute. This self doubt can then get onto of me and i build obstacles for myself that if I am honest probably do not exist and I can struggle to get round them so I will need to be aware of this and remind myself that it is my internal self sabotaging and not to let it hold me back.
Finding time to stop, breath and be kind to myself. Linked to above I think I can let myself get carried away in the hype of the frantic nature of things and then let that overwhelm me to my detriment. I need to be more focused on being in the present, dealing with problems in small, almost bite-size pieces and then moving forward.
I have been really impressed with the foundations team and I have no doubt this support will continue. I suppose my biggest thing would be having facilitators in the team recognize when I am at a block and struggling to grapple with a concept and helping me to see ways to overcome it that I may be missing or maybe helping me re-phrase a concept so as to better understand it.
Basically just to recognize when the person may be in over their head and offer a hand at that time.
I need to take it up a level again - recognising when I am struggling early on and seeking to right the ship straight away. I also need to make sure that when something is not clicking with me I put in the extra time at home etc to make sure I crack it and can move with the cohort and not fall behind.
In terms of my non-technical/human skills and what or how I would like to see these develop; again there is no change yet to the documented desires below, however I think over the course of this bootcamp this may change as well.
My goal is to secure employment in the IT world as a web developer. In terms of the long term goal I want to use this course to help me understand the different pathways one can take in this role as I can imagine they are wide and varied. I would then like to use my new skills plus those life and work place skills I already have to help me on that pathway
I would like to develop good strategies to deal with stress and workplace pressures. I feel that in past jobs I have had I have not done a very good job of taking care of My mental and inner well being. I would like to develop that skill set here as well as continue to work on relationship building within a workplace environment.
As I have alluded to in other areas on this blog I believe I am strong at following process and tend to pick up new ideas/systems relatively quickly. I also wok well with other people and enjoy that type of interaction
In terms of limitations I have what I would possibly describe as “imposter syndrome” at times where I doubt my own ability and skill levels. This can at times lead to me feeling overwhelmed and thinking I am in over my head.
Most importantly will be understanding what is required on a weekly basis so as to be able to plan out how to approach the week and then deliver on any deadlines without impacting negatively on any other parties be they cohort members or facilitators
Seeking help will involve two main things. Firstly trying to find solutions myself or as a group (if the task dictates group work) and if that is unsuccessful then approaching cohort mates of facilitators keeping in mind any deadlines and making sure it is not being left to the last minute.
Essentially not looking to learn how to swim when you are starting to drown.
I would hope that they provide direction in a way that is not revealing the answer straight out but rather challenging me to recognise that I have knowledge and skills which are being added to and that I will in all likely hood be able to discover the answer myself.
In saying the above I would also hope that facilitators would recognise when a particular problem may be outside my current wheelhouse and intervene if the need arises in a more direct fashion rather than suggestively.
I find this aspect or question interesting as I have been lead to believe that once bootcamp starts it requires 100% focus from myself. If there is at all anyway I would be able to work in doing the pick ups of my daughter from kindy that would be wonderful as these are activities that are extremely important to me on many levels not least helping my partner. If it were to mean starting my days really early and doing extra work post dinner that would not be an issue for me and something I have done time and again with various jobs I have had so to be able to discuss and refine this more would be brilliant.