Blog 22: Senior Presentation Reflection

1. Positive Statement

• I'm probably most proud of the way I handled myself during the presentation.  Even with glitches from the powerpoint/computer, I was still able to continue with my presentation without a hitch. I was able to control my speed and volume, while still keeping the audience's attention.

2. Assessments

• Block Presentation – P+
• Overall Senior Project – P+/AE-

3. What worked?

• I would have to say the way I handled problems.  I was able to overcome problems like losing contact with an interviewee, and other things I've mentioned in previous blog posts.  Through slowing down, taking a deep breath, and thinking of a solution, everything worked out as planned.

4. What didn't work?

• If I had a time machine, I would probably transport myself back to the beginning.  I would figure out a plan on how to remember to post certain blogs on time, and while this hasn't been a big problem, it's worse than I would have liked.  I. Don't. Turn. Things. In. Late.  That's not how I like to be, I'm not content when things are late.  A timeframe is a timeframe, and not meeting my goal is a failure in my eyes.

5. Finding Value

• Spending 9 months on a single project was eye opening.  It's shown me that slowing down and really taking a look at the inner workings of things, in this specific case, goalkeeping, really allows you to grow my knowledge base to places I never thought possible.  For example, my best answer, "A goalkeeper can best avoid having goals scored against her during a soccer game by being psychologically prepared," was something I never thought of before the project.  For me, when I made a mistake I just brushed it off, but I never really understand the true power of sports psychology and being a good coach.  Of course, if I wish to continue coaching, but I will see where life takes me, I have numerous new contacts I could get in touch with to get a job doing what I love. 

Blog 21: Mentorship

Literal:
Mentorship Hours: Vanna White will direct you to the link on the right hand side of my blog.

Interpretive:
Through my mentorship, the most valuable thing I have gained would have to be my use of networking.  Of course, I learned a multitude of things about soccer and goalkeeping more specifically, but the networking aspect has been invaluable.  Through finding a Summer mentor, interview subjects, and other goalkeepers to talk to, I have learned the skill of networking.  I know how to get in touch with individuals I've never met before and subsequently ask them for more resources.  These people, especially my 3rd Interviewee, Janet Cassidy, have given me opportunities to meet many new people that may end up helping my coaching when I'm older.

Applied:
Independent Component is what gave me the answers, and mentorship showed me the details of all my answers.  These details were acquired through numerous hours of coaching and watching the game.  For instance, "...being psychologically prepared" was given a backbone when I helped the Girls Under 14 team's goalkeeper get past a major mistake.  "...having tactical awareness" was further explained by the mistakes that the goalkeepers made and were pointed out by my mentor, Kim Nemeth. "...having strong technical ability" was shown through the training with both the Under-14 and Under-16 girls teams.  I watched the technical abilities of the goalkeepers skyrocket while Kim and I were training them, identifying what worked and what didn't.