Career Competencies

Leadership:

Situation: 8 minutes left in the second half, our team (Dominican Penguins Men's Basketball Team) is down by 10 points to the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs. Hope is slowly slipping away. Someone needs to step up. The team needs a leader. Who's it going to be?

Task: I had to step up and show my team that we could win this game. I needed to make multiple big plays and restore faith in my teammates.

Action: With time winding down I had made 4 great passes all for baskets, 2 steals which both resulted in us scoring, and I had a crucial layup off a great pass from our center.

Result: We ended up forcing the game to overtime and hitting a half court shot to win the game. It started with my willingness to step up and show everyone that we could win the game. In life, winning and especially success, starts with belief. From there it takes action to make those beliefs come true. My leadership was the action needed to make our beliefs come true.

Communication:

Situation: The National Institute of Mental Health reports that public speaking anxiety affects about 40%* of the population. Add on being a 13 year old kid, speaking at your 8th grade graduation, in front of 300 people, I guess you could say I was pretty nervous.

Task: I had the sole responsibility, as acting President for the Ambassador Student Body, to write a compelling speech with a heartfelt message to properly send off myself and all of my fellow graduates to high school.

Action: Looking back, I can definitely say that the whole process taught me so much about communication and its importance. The countless hours I spent preparing and practicing helped boost my confidence. I knew that I had put in the work, and that made all the difference.

Result: When the big day arrived, I remember standing behind the podium, facing a sea of proud parents and friends, I took a deep breath and began my speech. The words flowed naturally, and I felt like I was truly connecting with the audience. Looking back now, I realize how much that experience taught me about the power of communication. It's not just about saying words; it's about connecting with people, sharing stories and ideas, and making a lasting impact. The preparation and practice I went through helped me understand the importance of organizing my thoughts, delivering them effectively, and connecting with my audience.

Professionalism:

Situation: It's 2022 and summer has just rolled around. For athletes, especially basketball players, that means the time to individually train and get better is upon them. As a knowledgeable Division 2 basketball player at Dominican University of California I decided to train and help develop younger aspiring college basketball players.

Task: I was tasked with training, developing, and teaching young basketball players, grades 5th-8th. On top of this, I had to interact with parents in a professional manner.

Action: At least twice a week for the whole summer I trained aspiring young college basketball players the game. Each day I would come in with a different focus for the training. Whether it was shooting, weak hand ball handling, or defense (those are just some to name a few), each session had a purpose. When it came to the parents, I made sure to provide them with updates on how their kid was progressing, talk to them with respect, and treat our relationship with high value.

Result: By me being a professional on and off the court, I helped multiple younger basketball players better develop their skill and mindset, and I helped parents better understand the process of basketball development. Also, I learned the importance of communication, networking, and the power of relationships. It was a summer of growth for not just the players, but myself as well.

Equity & Inclusion:

Situation: During my journey to France and Venice with my family, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in vibrant and diverse cultures. This experience deeply resonated with the principles of equity and inclusion, enabling me to cultivate an awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills necessary to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures.

Task: My task during this trip was to embrace an open-minded attitude, free from preconceived notions and stereotypes. This attitude allowed me to appreciate the richness of cultural diversity and challenged any unconscious biases that I may have held.

Action: Engaging with the local cultures, I enriched myself into their history, language, arts, and traditions. I sought out museums, and historical sites, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of each region. This knowledge not only helped my personal growth but also equipped me with the tools to engage in meaningful cross-cultural dialogues and promote cultural appreciation within my own community.

Result: Through my interactions with locals and fellow travelers, I honed my communication and intercultural skills. I became good in navigating language barriers, adapting to different communication styles, and recognizing nonverbal cues. These skills are crucial for creating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard, understood, and valued.

Numerical Data Paper PDF.pdf

Critical Thinking:

Situation: My second semester of my freshman year I had the opportunity to take Effective Communications 2. Our teacher had given us an assignment which involved us writing a research paper about anything involving numerical data.

Task: I am a lover of basketball, so my choice was to write about the NBA has changed and evolved. By exploring the historical changes, evolution, and developments within the NBA, I applied logical analysis to understand the situational context and respond to the needs of this complex assignment.

Action: To embark on this research, I first identified the need to understand how the NBA has transformed over the years. By examining the league's history, rule changes, player dynamics, and economic factors, I contextualized the significance of the topic. I collected a wide range of relevant information from academic sources, articles, historical records, interviews, and statistical data. This process allowed me to build a comprehensive understanding of the NBA's evolution and provided me with the necessary data to support my thesis.

Result: I engaged in a logical analysis to critically evaluate the data and draw meaningful conclusions. I identified patterns, trends, and key turning points that shaped the NBA's evolution. This experience reinforced the value of critical thinking in academic pursuits, equipping me with valuable skills to analyze information, draw sound conclusions, and engage in meaningful academic inquiry. If you would like to read my full report it is attached to the left.

jake (1).mp4

Blazona_Jake_BusinessPresentation_4-6-2023 PDF.pdf

Career and Self Development:

Situation: As I aspire to build a successful career in the sales industry, I understand the paramount importance of career and self development.

Task: This journey entails continual personal and professional learning, a deep awareness of my strengths and weaknesses, adeptly navigating career opportunities, and building strong relationships through networking. In the dynamic field of sales, staying ahead requires constant learning and adaptation.

Action: I will actively seek out sales-related workshops, webinars, and industry events to expand my knowledge and skill set. To navigate the sales industry successfully, I will set clear and achievable career goals. I am going to outline short-term milestones and long-term aspirations to guide my journey and keep myself motivated. Regularly reviewing my progress will also help me stay focused and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Result: As I embark on my journey in the sales industry, the principles of career and self development form the bedrock of my aspirations. By proactively developing myself through continuous learning, self-awareness, and seizing opportunities, I am confident in my ability to excel in this field. If you want to see a video of a PowerPoint presentation I gave about "The Art of Sales," as well as the powerpoint itself it is attached on the left.

Technology:

Situation: Enrolling in the course BUS 2030, Business Communications and Critical Thinking, at Dominican University has been a transformative experience that significantly contributed to my technological competency. This course not only honed my business writing and presentation skills but also equipped me with the knowledge and strategies to navigate apps like LinkedIn and create efficient, well-detailed presentations.

Task: Every day of class I was tasked with being a sponge, just trying to absorb as much information as possible. BUS 2030 taught me the significance of meticulous planning in business writing and presentations. I learned to organize my ideas logically, ensuring that my message was coherent and easily comprehensible to the audience. Additionally, the course emphasized the importance of composing efficiently, allowing me to communicate complex information concisely without compromising clarity.

Action: The course also emphasized the importance of crafting a compelling and well-structured LinkedIn profile, showcasing my skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers and colleagues. I learned how to strategically build and expand my professional network, connecting with industry professionals and engaging in meaningful conversations to enhance my career opportunities.

Result: Through its focus on business writing, presentation skills, and critical thinking, I gained valuable insights that will directly translate into the business world once I graduate. I can say after completing this course that I am well equipped to navigate the technology-driven landscape of the professional world, where I will need to effectively communicate and connect with others to advance my career and make a positive impact in my chosen field.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse