Journal Entry: Reflection and Future Career Integration

by | Aug 12, 2024 | ENGLISH

Write a journal entry of approximately 3 pages (approximately 750 words) reflecting on what you’ve learned in this course and how you plan to integrate your skills and self-understanding in a career plan.
Make sure your reflection addresses all of the following:
• Begin by doing some critical self-reflection: What are your key areas of strength and why? How will these strengths aid you in your career plan? What are your key areas for improvement and why? How do you intend to improve? What do you value most? How do you intend to incorporate those values in a career plan?
• Then, reflect on this capstone course and the program outcomes: What have you learned through this course, particularly the team project and the research project? How do you plan to incorporate these ideas and skills into your career plan? As a reminder, the Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts program outcomes are:
o PO1: Articulate complex concepts to a targeted audience in written and oral form.
o PO2: Analyze the influence of cultural diversity when addressing global issues.
o PO3: Collaborate within a team to solve interdisciplinary problems or achieve a common goal.
o PO4: Evaluate perspectives of an ethical dilemma and present evidence-based solutions.
o PO5: Develop a plan that integrates academic and professional experiences for achieving career goals.
• Then, consider your future and articulate a career plan: Imagine that in 10 years you are being interviewed by Excelsior’s Marketing department for a Life at ExcelsiorLinks to an external site. article like those you read in the Module 8 Presentation Part II. What will your article be about? Understanding your own strengths, abilities, and values, where do you plan to be in 5 or 10 years and how do you plan to get there? How did your degree and Excelsior help you get there? Incorporate at least 2 Excelsior resources from the links below that you have explored throughout these Roadmap Journals that can help you in your career plan:

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Journal Entry: Reflection and Future Career Integration

Self-Reflection

As I reflect on my journey through this course, I find it essential to recognize my key areas of strength. One of my most prominent strengths is my ability to communicate effectively. Throughout the course, I have honed my skills in articulating complex concepts in both written and oral forms, enabling me to convey ideas clearly and persuasively. This skill will serve me well in my career, particularly in roles that require collaboration with diverse teams or engagement with various stakeholders. Effective communication is fundamental in any profession, and I plan to leverage this strength to build relationships and foster understanding in my future workplace.

Another strength I possess is my adaptability. The dynamic nature of the projects we undertook during this course, particularly the team project, required flexibility and open-mindedness. I have learned to navigate challenges while remaining focused on our objectives, and this adaptability will be invaluable as I enter the workforce, where change is often the only constant. My ability to adjust to new situations will help me thrive in diverse environments and contribute positively to team dynamics.

However, I also recognize areas for improvement. One key area is my tendency to procrastinate when faced with large projects. This course has highlighted the importance of time management, particularly during the research project, where effective planning was crucial. To address this, I intend to implement structured timelines for tasks in my future work. By breaking projects into smaller, manageable segments and setting specific deadlines, I can reduce the overwhelm and enhance my productivity.

In terms of values, I place a high importance on integrity and empathy. These values shape how I interact with others and approach challenges. In my career plan, I intend to incorporate these values by seeking roles that align with my ethical beliefs and allow me to make a positive impact on individuals or communities. Whether working in a corporate setting or a nonprofit organization, I aim to uphold integrity in all dealings and practice empathy by understanding the perspectives and needs of others.

Insights from the Capstone Course

This capstone course has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration and the application of theoretical concepts to practical challenges. The team project was particularly valuable, allowing me to experience firsthand the importance of leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve a common goal. Collaborating with peers from different academic backgrounds enriched our discussions and broadened our approaches to problem-solving. This experience has reinforced my belief that teamwork is essential in addressing complex issues, a skill that I plan to carry forward into my career.

The research project further developed my skills in critical analysis and ethical evaluation. Through this project, I learned how to assess different perspectives on ethical dilemmas and present evidence-based solutions. This experience aligns with Program Outcome 4 (PO4), where evaluating ethical dilemmas is crucial in many professional settings. I now feel better equipped to navigate challenging scenarios in the workplace by analyzing situations critically and proposing thoughtful solutions.

Overall, this course has reinforced the importance of articulating complex concepts (PO1), analyzing cultural diversity (PO2), collaborating effectively (PO3), evaluating ethical perspectives (PO4), and developing a career plan (PO5). These outcomes will undoubtedly play significant roles in my future endeavors.

Future Career Plan

Looking ahead, I envision myself working in a role that combines communication, project management, and social impact—perhaps in a marketing or outreach capacity within a nonprofit organization dedicated to education or community development. In 10 years, during an interview with Excelsior’s Marketing department for a “Life at Excelsior” article, I would share how my degree and the experiences gained at Excelsior have shaped my career trajectory.

I would describe how my ability to articulate complex ideas enabled me to develop compelling campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Additionally, I would highlight how my understanding of cultural diversity has informed my approach to outreach, ensuring that programs are inclusive and accessible to all community members. My adaptability would be underscored as a key factor in navigating the ever-changing landscape of nonprofit work.

To achieve these goals, I plan to utilize resources available at Excelsior. For instance, I will take advantage of the Career Services offered by Excelsior, which can provide guidance on job searches, resume building, and interview preparation. Additionally, I intend to engage with alumni networks to establish connections within the field of nonprofit work, gaining insights and mentorship from those who have successfully navigated similar paths.

In summary, this course has equipped me with valuable skills and insights that will inform my career plan moving forward. By recognizing my strengths, addressing areas for improvement, and aligning my values with my professional goals, I am confident that I can create a meaningful impact in my chosen field. As I integrate these lessons into my career journey, I remain committed to lifelong learning and professional growth while honoring the diverse perspectives of those around me.

 

 

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