Wrap It Up

Dec. 14th, 2020

Over the past week in ISM, I delivered a 10 minute speech about the research I’ve completed and experiences I’ve been through in ISM, came up with my Original Work proposal, and wrote a self-evaluation on that speech I delivered. I was able to successfully deliver my presentation, although I was stressed and anxious about it. My Original Work proposal took some time to come up with, but I’m confident that my idea makes sense and is something that will help not only future accountants, but business owners and everyone in between as well. My self-evaluation was a good way for me to look at the content of my speech, and see what I did well, as well as what can be improved on for future presentations and speeches.

As a result of what I’ve learned about delivering presentations and how to best prepare for them, my only question is how I can take this same motivation and determination and apply it to my other classes. Oftentimes, I find myself feeling more enthusiastic about my ISM work in comparison to my other classes. I think part of the reason is because in ISM, I’m working towards the career I want to pursue in the future, and it’s something that’s really going to help me in the long run. In contrast, my other classes are being taken for the credit, and although I can apply what I learn to my future, it’s just not the same.

Some challenges that I’ve faced during the past week were keeping myself from getting overwhelmed about delivering my presentation, as well as brainstorming and coming up with my Original Work proposal. We’ve done speeches and presentations before in ISM, but this one was a lot more stressful and nerve wracking because I had to talk for 10 minutes, and that too about the research I’ve completed and experiences I’ve gone through in ISM. To limit this feeling of uneasiness, I created an outline for the points I want to touch on and explain when talking, as well as chose a variety of visuals to compliment what I was saying. This made me feel more confident because I had a basis on what I would be saying, and knew that as long as I had the general ideas down, I could elaborate on them as necessary. In terms of coming up with an idea for my Original Work proposal, it was nerve wracking as well because I had to do additional research and dig a little deeper to find out what could really help accountants in the real world. The good thing is that we had been introduced to this assignment about 1.5 weeks prior to its due date, so it gave me time to sit down and really think about what I want to do. I ended up going with a software template for a program similar to Quickbooks Online, but in contrast would be much more cost-efficient, compatible across all devices, and would eliminate the error of syncing one’s credit card or bank account to the program.

In terms of my ISM presentation, I was able to successfully deliver it in the required time frame, while also hitting the points I wanted to discuss, and not only touched on them, but elaborated on them as well. In regards to my Original Work proposal, I was able to be successful in coming up with an idea for what I want to do, and can now start working on how I want it to look and function. Lastly, in regards to my self-evaluation, I was able to successfully my speech performance, and know what I need to improve on for the future, as well as what to keep doing.

Since we’ll be on winter break for the next 2 weeks, I’m going to work on taking some time to work on my Original Work. I know that if I can get some time in for that, it will help me later so I don’t have to rush the process. However, I also want to take some time to spend with my family and focus on myself. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to sit down and relax, and do the things that make me happy, so I definitely look forward to doing that over break.

To conclude this, I would like to say that I’m excited that I’m finally wrapping up the interviews I’ve done, and am on my way to finalizing who I want to be my mentor. I’ve already sent an email to the professional I want to have a second meeting with, to ask deeper level questions and to ask about being my mentor. If they say yes, then I’ll have found someone to guide me through my journey in ISM, and career path.