MSP100: Self-Reflection on Career Aspirations - Murdoch University

This assignment is a self-reflection paper by a science student enrolled in a cyber security and forensic science program at Murdoch University. The student identifies observation, analytical skills, and computational skills as their most important qualities, essential for their chosen field. They discuss the importance of these skills in the context of cyber security, emphasizing detail orientation and problem-solving capabilities. The STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is used to assess their strongest skills in a professional context. The student reflects on their career aspirations, aiming for expertise in forensic and cyber security to combat cybercrimes. They also address the importance of work-life balance and strategies to achieve it. The paper concludes with a critical reflection on their career development, current status, and future goals in the field of forensic and cyber security, highlighting their passion for challenges and their confidence in their abilities.

Running head: SELF REFLECTION
SELF REFLECTION
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

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Assessment 1
As a science student, I believe that the most important qualities that I possess are
observation, analytical skills and computational skills. Being an undergraduate student of science
in cyber security and forensic, I believe that observational, analytical and computational skills in
me would help me become efficient in my field. Cyber security professionals need to have good
computational skills apart from analytical skills as they have to compute and analyze security
system logs, security tools and data. Cyber-security professional needs to be detail oriented as
he/she has to detect any kind of changes (minor or major) or forseeing any potential problem.
Detail orientation is brought up by sharp and distinct analytical skills that would help the
professional to detect the correct aspect and take appropriate actions for it. Studying the
computer system, assessing potential risks and considering possible solutions are some of the
tasks that a forensic cyber security professional has to carry out. In order to carry out my tasks
appropriately, I would be requiring observational, analytical and computational skills and
updating my skills along with time is another important aspect that is needed to be done.
However, I have selected the study of forensic and cyber security in order to enhance my
observational, calculating and analytical skills. I am always awestruck with computer
programming languages and forensic anthropological science. The respective academic course
would help me enhance my skills in these areas for future.
Provided hereafter is the STAR model which would assess the capability of my strongest or best
skill in my professional arena.

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S- Situation: According to the situation provided to me in my workplace, I would rather like
to volunteer in any analytical situation or calculating task. Apart from that, in any situation, my
analytical skill has always ensured me the best possible ways to decipher a solution.
T- Task: The task that would be given to me at my workplace which would determine my
abilities, skills and competency that I possess and see to it whether I am eligible for carrying out
such scientific task or not would be carried out by me with diligence and patience. Apart from
my other hard skills, the soft skills that I possess, which are patience and perseverance would
help me achieve the highest goal in my career. Through patience and restraint and self reliance, I
would be able to carry out my tasks successfully in an organization.
A- Action: I am a pragmatic person apart from being a little theoretical in nature. I am a
science student and I have always been fascinated with pragmatism and practicality of
life. I am always overwhelmed with actions and reactions. With my analytical and
observational qualities, I have been able to understand what is wrong and what is right. In
an organizational setting, for me, action will be the highest priority. Instead of beating
around the bush with theoretical perspectives and approaches, action or pragmatic
utilization of such resources would ensure that I deliver my work properly in the
organization and excel in my field1. (importance of pragmatic skills)
R- Result: Being a science student, I have always been skeptic about coming into any kind of
concrete or water tight conclusion regarding everything or every aspect in the universe. I
believe that one should never come into a complete conclusion because nothing is permanent
except change. Therefore, I am skeptic about the results of my action but I am also particular
1 Drapeau, Patti. Sparking student creativity: Practical ways to promote innovative thinking and
problem solving. ASCD, 2014.

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about the results. I always see to the fact that whatever input I have given will provide me
with an expected output or not. Even if the output is not what is expected, I try to carry out
my best efforts to provide an expected result. I am a freethinker in nature who is an
unprejudiced observer. Therefore, for me, observation, analysis and evaluation leads to a
liberal way of conclusion. Also, I am open to all kinds of new ideas that might be proposed to
me within an organizational setting.
As academics are important for a student, personal life and gratification is also important2
(highlighting the importance of work- life balance). Being a science student, I have always
tried to understand the importance of study- life balance. The strategy that I have taken to
have a study- life balance is “avoiding multitasking and procrastination in order to save
time”. Multitasking is a proven management fad and it drains energy from our system.
Focusing on a particular task enhances our productivity. Delaying, on the other hand, makes
a student’s life more complicated with unnecessary workload and project deadlines.
Therefore, such strategy would benefit me in my study and personal life as well.
My career aspiration would be having an expertise in forensic and cyber security disciplines so
that I am able to help the society with my excellent scientific, observational and analytical skills
in detecting and finding out cyber crimes/ fraud.
Critical reflection
2 Jones, Fiona, Ronald J. Burke, and Mina Westman. Work-life balance: A psychological
perspective. Psychology Press, 2013.

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Critical reflection of my career development phase encompasses my career aspirations, the
current status of my career and the personal, professional and careerist development in the near
future. My career aspiration would be having an expertise in forensic and cyber security
disciplines so that I am able to help the society with my excellent scientific, observational and
analytical skills in detecting and finding out cyber crimes/ fraud. In the current situation, I am
pursuing Bachelor of Science in cyber security and forensic from Murdoch University. I believe
that I would be able to serve society and the state well after I complete my certified graduation
course. The course would help me build customary idea and knowledge in the respective areas.
After Bachelors, I have plans to pursue Masters or postgraduate degree course on the same
subject. It would allow me to build expertise in my respective field. The subject that I chose to
study in Murdoch University, which is Forensic and Cyber Security, would allow me to develop
observational and analytical skills that would make me smarter in my personal as well as
professional life. As a forensic scientist, through the career path I have chosen, I would be able to
contribute to, and also increase public safety by detecting, tracking and capturing criminals. As a
forensic scientist, I would be able to provide justice to the victims who have fallen prey to
different kinds of gruesome cyber crimes by utilizing a range of different techniques that are
intellectually and cognitively challenging as well. The particular degree that I am pursuing would
help me brush up my cognitive, calculative and analytical skills, make me smarter and increase
my intelligence quotient. A job in forensic and cyber security would be exciting and interesting
at the same time as I am always fascinated by challenges and danger. As I am also proactive
when it comes to problem solving skills, I think such profession/ career would be the most
suitable for me. Dealing with forensic would require evidence collection, interpretation and
solving complicated cases. I believe that, since childhood, I am good at solving puzzles, hard

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mathematical problems and other logical problems. The respective career would give me a
separate edge in my problem solving skills. It would help me deal with multidimensional and
multifaceted cases which would be interesting on one hand, challenging and demanding on the
other. Through my sharp intelligence and active observation, I am confident that I would reach
the zenith of my career in Forensic. I believe that I have selected Forensic as the correct and
most appropriate career for me. Leaving aside the security concerns, forensic and cyber security
profession is adventurous, challenging and it would also help me transform myself from a
common fellow to a victorious fellow through the rich experiences I would gather in my
professional life. With the help of the respective degree, I would be able to reach the pinnacle of
my career as a cyber crime investigator or a forensic officer, which has always been my dream
and aspiration.

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