1.
Which part-time job did you enjoy the most and why?
Working
for PM Environmental was most enjoyable to me, since I felt like I
was significantly contributing to the company, and I enjoyed learning
on my own.
2.What are your Interests?
Some of my interests
include dogs, hiking, snow-shoeing, water sports, writing, reading
(especially Charles Dickens' novels), skiing, drawing, crafts, and
computers.
3. What are your strengths?
My
strongest strength is the ability to teach myself difficult material,
regardless of the subject (with the exception of theater and drawing
blood from dogs, which I have no talent for). Additionally, I have
always excelled verbally and look forward to writing opportunities.
4. What are your weaknesses?
I tend to try to
do too many things, leaving little time for myself. I have worked on
balancing myself for the last several months. I am also working on
improving my public speaking skills.
5.
What sort of serious problems have you experienced, and how have you
handled them?
My apartment building burned down at the end
of January during one of my semesters at MSU. Before the fire got too
bad, I was able to rescue my pets and the neighbor's dog, as well as
my textbooks and backpack, but I lost most of my mementos and
possessions. While the firemen were preparing their hoses, I drove to
school (with the animals in the car) to meet my lab partners, who
were waiting for me. I explained the situation, emailed my
professors, and rushed back to the apartment.
Fortunately, I had
renter's insurance. I missed about a week of school to deal with the
insurance matters and find a new place to live. In order to salvage
my grades and sanity, I dropped a course and honored my existing
student group and research commitments. Staying active socially and
keeping myself well-rounded were the best healing tools for me.
Within a few weeks, I was caught up and had recovered reasonably from
the loss of sentimental items.
6. Do you or have you in
the past experimented with illegal drugs?
No. My only
addictions are caffeine and sugar.
7. Would you be willing
to take a drug test?
Of course.
8. Do you drink
alcohol socially?
No, but I enjoy Shirley Temples quite a
bit.
9. If you had your whole life to live over, what
would you do differently and why?
I was always good in
math, but I wish that I would have focused on math more. I feel that
mathematics can lead one anywhere, and is the basis of most
disciplines.
On a personal level, I would have ensured that,
despite pre-teen angst and insecurity, I would have been nice to
everyone, even on especially bad days.
10. Which is more
important to you, your salary or your job?
Salary is
important, but I couldn't stay with a job that brought me misery when
I could support myself doing something else; hence, my job is more
important.
11. What have you found to be the biggest
source of motivation in your life?
Taking advantage of my
strengths so that they are not wasted. Since nobody is lucky enough
to be strong in every area, I think it is important to make good use
of one's strengths.
12. What sorts of things cause you
stress, and how do you deal with them?
Lack of
organization throws me off. To deal with this, I come up with some
kind of system to organize things, even if it is only in my head, in
the case when chaos is desirable.
13. What is your
definition of success?
Being a good person by improving
the quality of the lives of others, whether it be through work, doing
sweet things, improving the environment/community, taking care of
one's family, etc. Superficially, I tend to measure success by level
of education and abilities within one's career; however, I try to
remind myself of the things that are more important.
14.
What qualities should a successful supervisorpossess in regard to job
requirements and those who report to him/her?
A successful
supervisor should be able to tactfully give criticism, guide,
motivate, encourage and foster a positive work environment.
15.
How would you develop team spirit among the people that you
supervise?
My experience in student groups has taught me
that people work best when their friends (teammates) are counting on
them to do well; therefore, I believe that bonding motivates people.
I would also foster team pride by promoting our team's assets.
16.
Do you like to work independently or as a team?
I like to
work independently towards a team goal.
17. What kind of
work environment do you like the best?I enjoy working
with friendly co-workers who can share a laugh while working hard and
overachieving.
18. How would you resolve conflicts with
employees, coworkers, and supervisors?
If possible, I
would refresh my memory on what I've learned about conflict
communication, and then I would discuss things, honestly and
tactfully. I am a big fan of kind sincerity and honesty, as well as
humility (when appropriate).
19. In what ways have you
learned from your mistakes?
Upon getting myself
overwhelmed with involvement in too many projects, I changed my
approach. When possible, I now start with less than I can handle and
add more only as time allows, and in small increments.
20.
In what areas do you need to improve your skills?
I would
like to improve my public speaking skills.
