Introduction:
For my senior project, I planned a cycling event, which involved direct and indirect observations, as well as research on successful cycling events. Throughout the process, I learned a lot about myself and my abilities, and I grew both personally and professionally. In this final journal entry, I will reflect on my personal growth and evaluation of my performance, as well as the relationship with my mentor and staff. Additionally, I will discuss what I learned from writing the paper and what I would do differently if I could start over.
Personal Growth:
During this project, I learned that I have strong organizational and planning skills, and that I am good at setting priorities and sticking to them. I also realized that I am comfortable with taking on a leadership role, which was not something I had been aware of before. Through the process of planning this event, I grew in my ability to manage my time and to delegate tasks effectively. Overall, I gained a sense of confidence in my abilities and a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses.
Self-Evaluation:
There were definitely some high points in this project, such as when I successfully finalized the route for the event and identified potential sponsors. However, there were also some challenges, particularly in finding the right balance between promoting the event and keeping it inclusive. In some situations, I handled myself well, such as when I took charge in delegating tasks to my team. In other situations, such as when I became frustrated with a team member, I could have handled myself better by communicating more clearly and calmly.
Relationship with Mentor and Staff:
Throughout the project, I received valuable support from my mentor and the staff. My mentor was especially helpful in guiding me through the research process and in providing feedback on my paper. The staff also provided guidance and support when needed. I appreciated their willingness to listen to my ideas and offer suggestions when necessary.
Learning from Writing the Paper:
In writing the paper, I learned a lot about the various components of planning a cycling event, including the importance of marketing and promotion, route planning, rest stops, and on-site support. One piece of research that I found particularly interesting was the importance of creating a sense of community among cyclists to encourage participation and enjoyment of the event. Additionally, I learned a lot about the process of writing a paper, including the importance of organizing my thoughts and outlining my ideas before starting to write.
Conclusion:
Looking back on this project, I realize that there are some things I would do differently if I could start over. For example, I would have tried to involve more people in the planning process to ensure that everyone felt included and valued. I would also have started planning earlier to allow for more time to research and finalize details. Given more time, I would have added more detailed information about the budget and financial planning for the event. Overall, this project was a valuable learning experience, and I am proud of what I was able to accomplish.