Post-Interview Reflection

I thought the interview went really well. I felt ready and confident going into it. The feedback I received was positive and encouraging, which reassured myself that I was prepared and did well. For preparation for this interview, I utilized the resources that were available through BlackBoard and practiced answering interview questions. During the interview, everything went as expected. If I were to go through this process again or were to do something differently in a real-life interview situation, would be to limit my movement with my hands and body. I tend to talk with my hands a lot and shift in my seat. I believe I use this as a regulating and calming strategy to ease my nerves, but this can become distracting. Something I learned during this process that is going to be helpful when I am preparing to enter the workforce as an OT practitioner are the types of questions that interviewers are liable to ask and work on answering those types of questions that will help set myself apart from the other candidates. It is also important to do research and know the position for which you are interviewing for. I am glad I had the opportunity to do an assignment like this because it helped me get an idea of what an interview could potentially be like for an entry-level OT practitioner. It was very relevant and beneficial for my learning and for the future. 

Internal Locus of Control

As a future OT practitioner, it is important that I know and understand locus of control. After completing the worksheet and totaling the points, I am located closer to the internal locus of control continuum side. What this means is that I am able to be positive, yet realistic about what I can and cannot control. I may not be able to control external factors, so for that I do not worry, and in turn I am able to make an internal decision about how I handle and respond to challenging events or "bumps in the road." Also, I believe the type of effort and work I put into something will result in a good or bad outcome. If I only partake in a task half-heartedly, then the outcome will reflect that by being a negative response or seen as a fail. However, if I give my best effort and have a hard work ethic, then the results will present such outcomes that are successful and positive.

Understanding and knowing the importance of locus of control will influence and impact how I approach work everyday personally, as well as when collaborating and interacting with future clients and their caregivers as a clinician. If I portray an internal locus of control that is built on, "I can recover from setbacks," or "I can make things happen," then this could potentially influence or help a client who may have had a stroke or orthopedic injury, for example, think and say the same expressions because of how I represented locus of control. If the client exudes an attitude and approach that is positive, and controlling what they can, then progress and improvements can be made due to how they responded to their challenges and present circumstances. Putting my best foot forward as a clinician can potentially result in my future clients putting their best foot forward, too. How we approach everyday life and the barriers and challenges it can present, is how life is going to go. We can only control so much, so what we can control, take what you can get, make an effective internal decision on how to respond, and use it as an advantage.

A Glyph on Leadership

Instructions:

Glyph Key for Drawing A Self-Portrait of a Leader

Face Shape: If you believe that leadership is an inborn trait, draw a triangle-shaped head.  If you think that leadership stems from nurture over nature, draw a square-shaped head.

Eyes: If you think the vast majority of OTs are leaders, make big circles for the eyes.  If you think there is a fairly equal mixture of leaders and non-leaders in the field of OT, draw small circles for the eyes.  Fill in the pupils.  Add glasses if you feel that you have had more experience in leadership roles than most other people your age at this point in life.

Eyelashes: Draw one eyelash on each of the eyes for each of the five themes you can name based on your personal Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment from earlier in the curriculum.

Eyebrows: If you like to take the role of the leader in an out-in-front way, make curved eyebrows.  If your leadership style is more behind the scenes, make pointy eyebrows.

Nose: Draw a triangle nose if you think that seeing yourself as a leader is necessary to being a leader.  Draw a rounded nose if you believe that a person can be a leader without seeing himself or herself as a leader.

Skin:  Add a freckle anywhere on the skin of the face if you believe that self-awareness is vital to effective leadership.  Leave the skin clear if you don’t think it’s an essential trait.

Mouth: Draw a smiling mouth if you can think of at least one leader who has had a positive impact on you.  Draw a frown if you can’t think of a good example of a leader.

Ears: Draw round ears if you think technology is an important part of effective leadership in many situations. Draw pointy ears if don’t think so.

Hair: Draw the hair based on a continuum, based on your personal viewpoint in two areas:

What’s more important in leadership:             Curly hair  <------------------------->  Straight hair 

          creativity or organization?                       Creativity  <-------------------------->  Organization

                              AND

Can an introvert be an effective leader?         Short hair <-------------------------> Long hair

                                                                           No way  <------ I’m unsure -----> Definitely yes

Accessories: Add at least one accessory (example: a piece of jewelry) if you see yourself as a leader.  Add a hat if the way you think about or approach leadership has changed as a result of what you have learned since beginning in OT school.

Finishing Touch: Label your paper with your name, writing in cursive if you have a written plan or goal about to serving in leadership roles in the future; write in print if you do not yet have a written plan.

My drawing: 

Self-reflection:

My perspective has changed since I started OT school in regards to leadership and the items listed within the instructions provided. My eyebrows are pointy instead of being in between and my eyes are bigger. Also, my hair is longer and there is a mixture between straight. In addition, my nose is rounded instead of being a triangle. Finally, something that was added that wasn't there the first time I did this activity, was a freckle and an accessory. With all these changes in perspectives, I have learned that leadership encompasses many traits, opportunities, styles and approaches. Anyone and everyone can be a leader. We all have something to offer and contribute to the OT profession and the healthcare professional workforce. Each person may lead differently and uniquely, however as long as it is genuine, effective, and successful, then that is a win in my book.