Academic Paper Subject

There were a lot of choices to make for the subject of the Academic Paper, deciding to do something based on the topic of engineering was a good start for the researcher, but as you may or may not know there are a wide range of sub categories of engineering. Therefore the decision was made to do something to do with the defence industry, as the company that he works for is a defence based company. This lead to the choice of the Trident project and the nuclear threat to the UK; This is a wide subject choice on its own, however it is a very controversial choice and one that will raise a lot of reading material and a good response from research. 

(P.S. I had an attempt at writing in the 3rd person, not as easy as it sounds! Maybe you could give me some comments if I am on the right track?) 

VARK Questionnaire

Vark Score 

Visual - 6

Aural - 7

Read/Write - 4

Kinesthetic - 7

As you can see from my VARK score, it appears that I am a multimodal learner as my score is quite evenly spread across the 4 types of learning styles. This score is quite accurate in determining my learning style, as I personally feel that I have to use different methods to learn different things. Sometimes I find it easier if I actually do something and try it out, this is usually when relating to doing a task which involves learning a skill such as machining at work for instance, however I take in a lot of information and facts easier if someone speaks them to me; making my learning style also aural. Then there are many occasions where I find it easier to understand things if I can picture them and visualise, data for example in the form of a graph, or if I am trying to remember a list of things in my head I relate the things to images to remember. The one learning style which I appear to be lower on is read write, I think this is relatively true as I do find it harder to learn things by reading through a long passage of information, I also do not take brilliant notes as I don’t like writing a lot of things down. This is one area of my learning which I agree does need improving, and I will take steps to do so by taking more notes in class, and by learning to re write long passages of texts into just the important facts for me to remember. 

MBTI Results

My result for the Myers Briggs Type Indicator was INTJ, and this is what my personality type is like according to myersbriggs.org

“Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Sceptical and independent have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others.”

This description does sound very similar to what I am like which is odd to think that my presonality can be put into a group based on my answers to just 4 different dimensions.

My Mentor

As part of my course I was asked to find a 'significant other', or more commonly known as a mentor. An ideal mentor would be someone from work, as they would be able to give me support and advice that would be relevant to what I am studying. I have chosen my supervisor from work in the hardware department Neil Kempson, I hope to follow a career in hardware and during my placement he was keen to help me to develop my skills. 

Learning Line

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• I am good at dealing with problems and usually take lead on most projects.
• Hard working… but only with topics I am passionate about!
• Quick to learn and am very inquisitive.
• Good at applying logical thinking to a plethora of situations.
• I have experience within the workplace, helping me in my field of study.
• If I do not know something or have a challenge to overcome, I’ll use all of my resources to ensure I do so. 

Weaknesses

• I can be disorganised at times.
• Find it difficult to balance my social/work life, I am the type or person to put 100% into one thing rather than spread myself.
• Although I’m experienced, I have a lot more to learn about applying my knowledge.
• Lack confidence at times and sometimes doubt myself.
• I easily forget things unless the knowledge is used or noted down so I can go back to it (I am a fan of lists!)

Opportunities

• University will help me to organise myself, especially since my course is part time and will involve a lot of home study
• It will give me the knowledge to improve myself and also the qualifications to get a better job
• The chance to a fresh start within a new environment.

Threats

• The university worries me; I foresee problems that may require a great deal more effort from myself.
• My ability to adapt to university style learning.
• How I will overcome my weakness of not being very organised. 

About Me

Hi

My names Dan and I'm 18 years old, I currently work for a company called Selex Galileo in Basildon as a technical apprentice. I have been there 2 years already and have another 2 to go, we make sensors and cameras for the military as well as some guidance systems for missiles such as the Javelin missile system.

My current position in the company sees me working in all the areas such as hardware engineering, test engineering, mechanical design as well as many other departments. I hope to eventually become a full time hardware engineering or operations manager. At the moment I am doing my HNC in engineering part time at Anglia Ruskin and hope to carry on to do my full degree in engineering.