Professional Practicum & Graduate Seminar
Peter Chung-Man Cheng (Student ID# 48754)
Date: 21st June 2005
Reflection is an essential phase of learning process. We can consciously explore our experience in order to arrive at a new understanding and behaviours. Reflection is also being the means, in which students can enhance and refine their own learning.
The following are my selected works:
BUS 622
& 623 Global Communication & Knowledge Management- Team Report
It
was an intensive and in-depth study of
“Business Strategy” which was tutored by Professor Richard Birkenbeuel. By
studying several business cases both in class and at home in two weeks’ time,
it broadened and extended my business and management knowledge. Since I have
already obtained two degrees both in architecture, the lessons have also
underpinned my previous academic and working experience.
In today’s dynamic and highly competitive business
environment, it is crucial to differentiate your company from competitors.
Every organization would try their best in order to share the feasible pie.
That is why customers-orientated strategic decision is the trend.
After finishing the first individual written analysis
of Business Strategy, I have learnt, being one of the top 10 software companies
in the world in 2003, the success of Veritas Software was not by luck or only
costs control. It was by maintaining the satisfaction of their customers that
led to gaining the sustainable market share, in which was critical to
contribute to its success.
Another business model to be analyzed after attending
the lessons of “Knowledge Management” also inspired me the importance of the
management of human resource. By participating in the group work, I recognized
one of the most essential core values of Marriott International Incorporation:
Associates are their greatest assets.
The
belief of the founder, John Willard Marriott, is always on my mind: Take
care of your employees and they will take care of your customers. That
personal philosophy led to be the driving force behind its success. It also
reflected on the significance of the company’s extraordinary growth curve.
Of
course, as a professional architect, I should advocate the essential of the
code of ethics. Through the studying of Professional Skills Practicum,
it further enhanced the knowledge of some major reasoning frameworks, including
like Consequentialist, Deontologist, Virtue Theory, and
Christian Biblical. I am sure those would explore my worldview into a greater extend.
After completed the assignment on reflection on UD Mission and
Goal V, I would pay more attention on the global environmental issue. As
mentioned in its statement, the University of Dubuque can be a community
concerned with ethical stewardship of God’s human and natural resources.
As globalization’s pace quickens, the threat of global environment
degradation gets more urgent. With the universal concerns, the growing of a
healthy trend would lead towards considering ecological problem as well as the
urban context of architecture as a whole. As one of the new generation
architects, I am responsible to steward all resources. By designing
environmental friendly building structures would surely fulfill one of my
commitments in this field.
The
MBA program provides a rich learning environment with a variety of learning
approaches, including case studies and collaborate projects. I have equipped myself with both practical
and theoretical knowledge. Firmly rooted in reality, the weekend courses do suit most of us.
Since the flexibility of study is an ideal balance among study, work and family
life.
Meanwhile, it is not an easy task to try to be everyone’s mentor.
However, at least, every student should be treated as an individual. Some
professors have succeeded in giving us self-confidence through presentation and
interaction among case studies in class.
Apart from that, I believe that the diversity of subjects and
breath of information pounded into my skull over the past year has enabled me
to achieve my ambitions.
With the help of up-to-the-minute technology, computer and Internet service not only provide us an easy way to access heaps of information, but save time as well.
Group work encourages co-operation and identify personal strengths
and weaknesses. It can ensure every team member use his/her assets to full
advantage while strengthening the weaker areas. Working in a group can share
ideas and responsibility, forgo personal recognition, negotiate solution when
opinions differ, and resolve conflict. A collaborative project also introduces
the students to group dynamics, problem solving, managing time and resources in
order to achieve project goals. Straight from the shoulder, these requirements
did not appear in some heads!
Seeing that everyone has his/her own value and ability, we can
branch out into any field if we have proper roots in education. What the mind
can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thus, never say it is too late to
learn. In order to have a meaningful
life, we should learn until the end of our days. I think
learning-by-doing is the best way.
Finally,
when I looked back two years ago, I was a Graduate
Architect. At present, I have now finishing off a MBA degree with few years of
working experiences. In ten years’ time, I desire to have my own architectural
firm. And I hope I can become a respectable and well-known Architect before the
day I die.
The only way to predict the future is to create it. I know there
is no Giant step to reach the top of the ladder. However, lots of little steps
would surely the essential ingredients to secure my success in future.
END