Reflective Report: Developing Skills Through University Challenges

This reflective report provides a detailed analysis of four compulsory challenges undertaken at the university, aimed at fostering essential skills for academic and professional success. The challenges include the apprentice challenge, which focuses on teamwork and research skills; the presentation challenge, emphasizing visual communication and presentation design; the T-shirt challenge, designed to enhance creativity and business concept development; and the hotel challenge, aimed at improving managerial and interpersonal skills. Each challenge is analyzed, highlighting themes, strengths, weaknesses, and the creation of a SMART action plan for skill improvement. The report underscores the importance of these challenges in building employability and providing a foundation for future career success, emphasizing the application of skills such as teamwork, research, creativity, and interpersonal communication through practical scenarios and strategic planning.

REFLECTIVE
REPORT

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Apprentice challenge..............................................................................................................1
Presentation challenge............................................................................................................3
T-shirt challenge.....................................................................................................................5
Hotel challenge.......................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
In order to excel in a university it is essential gain certain skill. Education institutions
conduct various challenges in order to ensure that students acquire the skills required to gain the
best outcome from their university experience (Koyuncuoglu, 2021). These skills not only
students excel in academia but also provide foundational skills needed to gain success in future
employment. This is reflective report covering four compulsory challenges faced which helped
in development of skills needed to excel at the university. The challenges which are present in
this reflection include apprentice challenge, T-shirt challenge, presentation challenge and Hotel
challenge. The reflective report includes analysis of the challenge, description of themes and
construction of SMART action plan for skills gained through each challenge.
MAIN BODY
Apprentice challenge
Analysis of the challenge
The completion of apprentice challenge required analysis of an educational institution in
a group setting. The educational institution selected for the report was London School of Science
and Technology. As part of the group I was given the task of analysing strengths and weaknesses
of the institution in relation to the British educational industry which gives the establishment
competitive advantage over it’s rivals. Apart from this, identification the growth opportunities
which can be exploited by the establishment were given to me. I was tasked with determining
threats which can hinder progress of the establishment or have negative impact on current
strategic positioning of the institution. I conducted investigation from online sources, books and
journals in order to complete this task.
Description of themes
This was a group task and the primary theme of this task was to enhance teamwork skills
and abilities which assist in ensuring effective coordination and collaboration with the members
of the group. In addition to this another theme was related to research and ability to undertake
various tasks required such as analysis, interpretation and evaluation of sources. It is important to
gain research skills as it helps ginning profound knowledge on various topics (Eshkulovich and
Tashbaevich, 2020).
SMART action plan
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After the completion of this challenge I am able to identify my strengths and skills gaps
associated with conducting various tasks of this challenges.. I believe that my main strength was
that I was able to clearly communicate, my idea and finings to other team members effectively.
Apart from this written communication was another strength which helped me contribute to the
success of my team.
The main skill gap that I recognised after the completion of this challenge was my
ineffective teamwork skills. This skill gap affected my work as I was not able to coordinate my
tasks with my team members in the most effective manner. The lack of teamwork skill
negatively affected my strength of effective verbal communication. This is because a group
setting requires proficiency in communication as well as teamwork skills to gain the best
possible outcome. The second skill gap which negatively impacted on my performance in this
challenge is my research skill. I am not able to quickly find authentic and suitable resources for
assignments. Time taken to find an effective source delays various other tasks and impacts the
outcome (Ponce and et. al., 2021).
Objective Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time bound
To gain
teamwork
skills
This Objective is
specific as it
focuses on
enhancing
collaboration and
coordination in
order to improve
teamwork in
group setting.
This objective
can be
measured by
identification
of level of
improvement
in
coordination
and
collaboration.
This objective
is attainable as
it requires
creation of
systems to
ensure smooth
collaboration
and regular
communication
to ensure
effective
coordination.
The
attainment of
this skill has
positive
impact on
academic or
professional
tasks given in
a group
setting (Majid
and et. al.,
2019).
4 months
To
enhance
research
skill
This is specific
objective as it
focuses on
improvement
This objective
can be
measured by
improved
This skill is
attainable by
usage of
CRAPP Test.
This skill is
relevant as it
increases
speed and
1 month
2

resource
evaluation to
ensure quick
research.
speed in
identification
and
evaluation of
appropriate
sources for
research.
authenticity
of research to
gain
knowledge on
various
topics.
Presentation challenge
Analysis of the challenge
This challenge focuses on creation of a presentation on the subject of changes and present
situation of the retail sector. The business firm selected by my team for this challenge was
British retail giant TESCO. This involved addressing barriers and flaws of the company and
identification of progression opportunities and merits. I was given the task of creating an
effective presentation from my part and other’s of the team. This challenge helped in
development of knowledge related to branding and the angle of promotion. This is because this
challenge was focused on presenting ideas in a way which appeal to the audience. This is
associated with branding as it involves presenting image of the company or product in a way
which appeals to target audience (Noorda, 2019).
Description of themes
The primary theme of this challenge surrounded creation of an effective power point
presentation which covered every factor associated with the British retail sector and
identification of flaws, merits, barriers and progression opportunities for a specific business firm
selected by the group. In addition to this another theme was to build an eye catching presentation
which concisely covers various topics researched by the team. Appealing presentations not only
provide the audience knowledge of the task but also draw their attention to the detailed visual
presentation which helps in gaining desired results from the audience (Ringeisen and et. al.,
2017).
SMART action plan
The main barrier I faced during the completion of this challenge was that I was not able
to create an eye catching presentation. After the completion of this presentation I am able to
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recognise my poor visual communication skill as I faced difficulties in designing presentation
slide and deciding how to present written part developed by my teammates in a visually
appealing manner while ensuring that every part of the challenge is covered. This depicts the
lack of non-verbal communication kills which are communication through visual presentation. I
also recognised flaws in my time management skills during the completion of this task.
Previously I was very confident about my time management skills but after the completion of
this skill I have recognised that I my time management skills are not effective if I am conducting
new task such as visual presentation.
Objective Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time bound
To develop
Non-verbal
communication
skills
This objective
is specific as it
focuses on
visual
communication
improvement.
This
objective is
measured
with the help
of level of
proficiency in
developing
attractive
visual
presentation.
This
objective is
attainable by
learning
about eye
catching
visual aids
and
presentation
structure.
This will help
me develop
effective
presentation
which is
relevant for
producing
quality
assignments
(Bhagra, A.
and Sharma,
D. K., 2018).
2 months
To enhance
time
management
skills
This is specific
objective as it
aims to ensure
effective time
management
skills in every
situation
This skill is
measured by
identification
of effective
time
management
during a new
task.
This skill is
attainable
with the help
of continuous
usage of 4D
time
management
tool.
Time
management
skill is
relevant in
personal,
professional
and academic
development
3 months
4

T-shirt challenge
Analysis of the challenge
This challenge involved development of an original and innovative T-shirt design as a
part of the team. In addition to this, the T-shirt challenge focused on determining financial aspect
of the T-shirt and understanding the most profitable consumer base for the finished design which
has features which help in gaining competitive advantage over business rivals. The knowledge
gained from this challenge is related to financial aspect of a business such as price of a new
product.
Description of themes
The primary theme of this challenge was to induce creativity and process of idea
generation. In addition to this various aspects which are related to development of a business
concept such as pricing policy, identification of the target consumer base and factors which
contribute to competitive advantage.
SMART action plan
The main task in which I faced difficulty was creating intangible aspects of the T-shirt
such as brand symbol for the T-shirt . This task might look easy but involves usage of knowledge
from various fields. This includes creative thinking skills to design attractive brand symbol and
knowledge about social effect of various designs and colours. This along with knowledge about
interests and preferences of target consumer base are used to design a brand symbol to gain
desired reaction from consumers and ensure that it stays in the mind of the consumers while
communicating purpose of the finished design (Bresciani and Del Ponte, 2017).
Objective Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time bound
To increase
Creativity
This objective
is specific as it
focuses on
building
creative
thinking skills
to generate
unconventional
ideas and
This skill is
measured by
determining
the ease with
which new
and original
ideas are
generated in
various
This skill is
attained by
using mind
mapping and
lateral
thinking
techniques.
This skill is
relevant as it
develops
ability to
innovate
which is
essential for
gaining high
success in
5 Months
5

solutions. situations. professional
career (Lee
and Park,
2021).
Hotel challenge
Analysis of the challenge
This challenge focused on developing managerial skills by seeking internship at Hotel.
Description of themes
The main theme was introduction towards operating enterprises and managerial tasks
involved in the enterprises.
SMART action plan
My lack of interpersonal skills created difficulties in this challenge.
Objective Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time bound
To build
Interpersonal
skill
This is
specific
objective
which aims to
build
interpersonal
skills
This skill is
measured by
ability to
form strong
bonds with
new people
This skill is
attained by
learning about
emotional
intelligence
and entering
social
situations.
This skill is
relevant as it
helps in
developing
strong bonds
with others
which is
important for
personal and
professional
goals (Chan,
Zhao and
Luk, 2017)
.
6 months
6

CONCLUSION
From the above report it is determined that the apprentice challenge, presentation
challenge, T-shirt challenge and Hotel challenge play an important role in building skills of the
student which help in attaining success in the university. It is important to participate in such
challenges in order to gain skills which enhance employability and act as foundation for future
success in professional career. The apprentice challenge helps in development of research and
teamwork skills which are useful for improving knowledge and performance in group based
tasks. Similarly the T-Shirt challenge builds skills such as which are necessary for gaining
success in. The presentation challenge and Hotel challenge are helpful in gaining knowledge
about. SMART goals are useful to prepare an action plan for seeking improvement in various
skills.
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REFRENCES
Books and Journals
Bhagra, A. and Sharma, D. K., 2018. Changing paradigm of employability skills in the global
business world: A review. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 12(2). pp.7-24.
Bresciani, S. and Del Ponte, P., 2017. New brand logo design: customers’ preference for brand
name and icon. Journal of Brand Management, 24(5). pp.375-390.
Chan, C. K., Zhao, Y. and Luk, L. Y., 2017. A validated and reliable instrument investigating
engineering students’ perceptions of competency in generic skills. Journal of
Engineering Education, 106(2). pp.299-325.
Eshkulovich, U. D. and Tashbaevich, S. K., 2020. Developing Pupils' Learning and Research
Skills on the Basis of Physical Experiments. International Journal of Psychosocial
Rehabilitation, 24(2).
Koyuncuoglu, D., 2021. An Investigation of Potential Leadership and Innovation Skills of
University Students. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and
Technology, 9(1). pp.103-115.
Lee, I. and Park, J., 2021. Student, Parent And Teacher Perceptions On The Behavioral
Characteristics Of Scientific Creativity And The Implications To Enhance Students'
Scientific Creativity. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 20(1). p.67.
Majid and et. al., 2019. The importance of soft skills for employability and career development:
Students and employers' perspectives. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 13(4). pp.7-39.
Noorda, R. L., 2019. Borrowing place brands: product branding from SMEs in the publishing
industry. Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
Ponce and et. al., 2021. How to develop research skills among undergraduate engineering
students to tackle current ongoing topics? A Smart-Grid case study. The International
Journal of Electrical Engineering & Education, 58(2). pp.113-141.
Ringeisen and et. al., 2017. Assessing self-efficacy in presentation and moderation
skills. European Journal of Psychological Assessment.
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