How do you collaborate in a group setting?
Group settings are an opportunity for me to share my ideas while also building upon others. I collaborate by helping others in my group expand their ideas and provide insight into possible shortcomings or failures. The last group project that I worked on was a presentation, for that I helped find information that my peers could use in their slides. I also helped think of ways to lay out information so that it's not too crowded but not bland either. This has made me a better problem solver because it has allowed me to think about how I can enable others' abilities and thoughts to create a better product.
How do you solve problems in creative "outside of the box" ways?
I solve problems creatively by trying to apprehend the root cause while making improvements to ensure the problem won't reoccur. I think that if there is a way to make sure a problem never happens again, I will always take that option. If there was a pothole, I would fill in the pothole but also add more material that won't hold much water to ensure that the road won't crack again. This makes me a better problem-solver because I strive to solve and prevent rather than just solve.
How do you persevere (keep trying to achieve something despite difficulties), adapt, and follow through to complete difficult tasks or other challenges in school or the workplace?
I persevere through difficult tasks by monitoring my pace while also making sure I provide a quality product. If I need to take a step back and think through what I'm doing, I'd use that time to talk to someone else for insight on what the best direction would be. I prefer being able to own my project from start to finish, but having help in finding a sense of direction is always good.
I adapt by using whatever I learn from others to make my process more efficient. Sometimes making a model with just Boss Extrudes and Cut Extrudes won't cut it. If I need to use a Loft or a Spline, I'll search for guides on how to use the interface and then use that information and apply it to my work.
I follow through on tasks by making sure I finish whatever I start. I am a firm believer in "finishing a job before starting a new one." I also make use of time sheets to track my progress to ensure I don't fall behind and can stay productive.
This makes me a better problem-solver because I can use what I learn to make my processes more efficient and with higher quality.
How do you try to find root causes of issues in the workplace or in school?
I find the root causes of issues in my workplace or around the school by asking for more information. Any problem can be reverse-engineered to prevent it from happening again. So, I would collect information about the issue such as, why it is a problem, how it is impeding performance, and how much of a problem it is. Then I would use that information to find the root issue, if that's not possible then I would rework how things are done to avoid the problem and make work more efficient.
How do you identify multiple possible methods/solutions and select the most sensible approach to resolve problems or conflicts?
To identify multiple possible methods/solutions to resolve problems or conflicts, I start by considering the topic. Is the discussion controversial enough to enable such emotions from the people? Then I consider the conflict itself, are the people yelling? Are they fighting? Or are they just going back and forth in a debate? The level of conflict is what dictates my response to resolve the conflict, such as if they are fighting, trying to calmly talk to them would probably not work because their adrenaline levels are high so they are in a flight or fight mode. If they are yelling I would start by getting them to lower their volume and then talk sensibly to them so they can understand each other and their opinions.