Immerse Yourself

Team M-S-H-A

Over the past two weeks, I have been immersed (pun intended) in work with the MSHA team and in meeting and learning from Mike Rutledge (State Dept. of WV) and Will Peretino and Courtney Cox of Workforce Connections. On Monday, all of us learned some valuable research skills at a workshop we attended in the library. I feel like there is a lot being thrown at us, a lot of different things, but it's keeping things stimulating and interesting.

Last week Neeta Catterton tested our team using Myers-Briggs. This was the first time I'd undertaken such an evaluation; turns out I'm an ENFJ (Extravert iNtuitive Feeling Judging) type. It shows just how far I've grown over the past 6 or 7 years...when I was a kid, I was shy and introverted and kept quiet. (Not that all introverts are shy...but I exhibited characteristics of someone both shy and introverted.) Now...well, people have to tell me to shut up! But I definitely exhibit some of the introverted "characteristics," such as the fact that I NEED quiet to concentrate on my work. But for the most part the test was pretty on the mark, especially the Judging type -- I follow a schedule and thrive on structure in my life. I create lists for everything, and am (unless times are super busy!) extremely organized with my school work. It was neat to get our team's profile and discuss our team dynamics -- I feel that everyone is getting along well and has great ideas, but there is just so much to this project and we keep thinking of new things to add/change/question/think about. The past 5 Immersion days have delivered the skills and inspiration to do what we need to get done. The next 12 weeks will include a little of that, and a lot of mining research, thinking, implementing, and web development. And we're ready.

posted by Allison @ 12:11 PM