Cooperative Education Reflection Report

This assignment is a reflective report on a cooperative education experience. It details the challenges faced during the process, particularly in understanding new referencing methods. The report also emphasizes the positive impact of the experience on analytical skills and outlines future career goals, including further training in cost calculation and statistical data analysis.

Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Food Costing
(Reflective Journal)
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Host Organization......................................................................................................................2
2.0 Situation Reflection...................................................................................................................3
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................3
2.2 First Critical Learning Experience.............................................................................................3
2.3 Second Critical Learning Experience........................................................................................3
2.4 Third Critical Learning Experience...........................................................................................4
3.0 Personal Growth........................................................................................................................5
3.1 Feedback from the Academic Supervisors................................................................................5
3.2 Future Career Direction and Future Preparation.......................................................................5
4.0 Work Ready Curriculum Vitae..................................................................................................6

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
1.0 Introduction
The reflective journal would provide the insightful ideas of the entire research process
journey that I have passed through to gather the relevant data. In this section of the study, I shall
highlight the positive and challenging aspects I have faced. The benefits and the difficult
consequences faced in this process would also be discussed in this study. The information
derived from the research process will be scrutinized to ensure the lessons I have learnt.
1.1 Host Organization
The research is based on the case scenario of The Spicy Traders, which is a renowned
Indian cuisine located in the reputed areas of New Zealand. The organization is a sole trader and
has the branches in different location of the nation. The restaurant chain has almost 13 branches
around New Zealand across Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. The brand positioning of this
restaurant is quite strong in New Zealand. The restaurant is located in the most popular shopping
malls in New Zealand and it has a number of the full restaurants in the mix. Almost 115
members are associated including the service staffs, chefs, and managers. The restaurant
maintains the high quality foods and effective hospitality services for retaining the customers and
establishing the reputed entity.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
2.0 Situation Reflection
2.1 Introduction
The journey has been much promising for me. I needed to gather the adequate ideas about
the concept of food costing in the restaurant industry. I have gained knowledge about both the
positive and negative impact of food costing on the customers’ intentions. In order to gather this
information, I faced several difficulties as well. I needed to communicate with the employees and
the managers, which was quite difficult. I have observed that the managers were quite unwilling
to discuss the organizational strategies. On the other hand, I had to deal with some of the difficult
customers who responded in a very biased manner. I faced challenges in such cases. It was quite
complicated for me to derive the findings from the biased responses. However, the journey
increased my own self-esteem and analytical power. Therefore, I can opt for the similar kind of
research in future without any fear.
2.2 First Critical Learning Experience
The first challenge I faced in identifying the updated information about the current
situation based on the food costing structure of the restaurant. Maintaining the ethical
considerations is my prime responsibility due to which I faced a little difficulty in searching for
the authentic ideas about the current situation.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
2.3 Second Critical Learning Experience
In one situation, I needed to consult with the employees and managers of the restaurant to
discuss about the pricing strategy. However, they were unwilling to discuss the strategic
perspectives, which lead me towards much difficulty in gathering the adequate knowledge.
2.4 Third Critical Learning Experience
During this journey, I needed to speak with the consumers who often visit the restaurants.
It is important for me to mention that some of the customers were quite cooperative while
sharing their experiences with me. However, some of the difficult customers made this process
much complex for me. The biasness on their responses made me confused to analyze the actual
data. Hence, it is quite challenging for me to understand the actual scenario.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
3.0 Personal Growth
This research process has provided me enormous help in gathering the adequate ideas
about the food industry and the costing process. I have learnt that the food costing has the
considerable impact on the consumers’ intention. More luxurious restaurant chain charges more
costs. I have learnt that comparing the prices with the competitors help in structuring the pricing
strategy more tactfully. These conceptual ideas would help me in conducting the further research
studies based on the similar subject matter.
3.1 Feedback from the Academic Supervisors
The supports and help received from my academic supervisors are much appreciable. I
have faced the considerable difficulties in understanding the concepts related to the food costing.
My supervisors helped me by introducing some of the accounting terms. Moreover, when I faced
issues with the referencing process, they helped me in understanding the method. I did not use
these methods previously in my life. Hence, I faced many challenges to implement these new
ideas.
3.2 Future Career Direction and Future Preparation
This cooperative education has influenced my analytical skills in a positive way. I can
use such methods in future as well. I can expect that learning these skills would ensure my
betterment in future. If I receive the proper training and development session on cost calculation
and statistical data analysis for understanding the result much adequately. Working on these
areas would improve my career path in future.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
4.0 Work Ready Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
Personal details
Name: Steven O’Brian
Address 31 Crescent St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 5671
Phone [phone]
Mobile [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Personal statement
I am Hard working and cooperative person, looking for the work in the administrative
department. I am focusing on developing my career towards the managerial post in
future. It would help me in reflecting on greater enthusiasm towards my works.
Relevant skills and experience
Communication skills
 Excellent communication skills,
 Strong skills in helping others with problem solving in both work and non-work
situations.
 Has the ability to guide and lead the team members
 Able to communicate well in writing.
Organisational ability
 Strong attention to detail and ability to help others improve their performance.
 Effective in delegating tasks and making sure they are done well.
 Track record in planning and organising events, including social functions at
work and fundraising for a local sports club.
Numeracy skills
 Ability to develop and monitor budgets, through experience as sports club
treasurer.
 Responsible for handling money, banking and keeping accounts on other
people’s behalf.
 Assist others with managing their money, including working out a budget for
personal spending and balancing cheque books.
Work history
Feb 2012–Oct 2015 Assistant checkout operator – General Food Supermarket
Mar 2009–Dec 2012 Checkout duties – Food World Supermarket

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Aug 2006–Feb 2009 Temporary and casual positions, including fruit picking, planting,
childcare and bar work
Education and training
2006 Effective Communication Skills – three hours a week for 20 weeks at local
Technical Institute
2001–2005 Four years secondary education
Interests and hobbies
I enjoy running and movies. I spend quite a bit of my spare time with my nieces.
Referees
Mrs Julia O’Brian Mr Samuel Baxter
Checkout Supervisor Sports Co-ordinator
General Food Supermarket Sports Foundation
email: [e-mail] email: [e-mail]..nz
Work phone [phone] Work phone [phone]
Home phone [phone] Home phone [phone]