Time Well Spent

Being in this course has helped me realize the importance of a community and how much other people’s thoughts and ideas can inspire my own.  This course gave me and my colleagues the opportunity to build on challenges and collaborate with each other to help guide our projects toward success.  I have also learned from this course what I need to do in becoming a successful leader.  “Leaders who have confidence are more likely to be motivated to succeed, to be persistent when obstacles arise, and to welcome a challenge” (Northouse, 2010).  I have learned the best leaders need to be able to communicate clearly with the people around them.  A third thing I have learned from being in this course is “people thinking is influenced by the times in which they live, the places where they live, by political circumstances, by belief systems, and so on” (Laureate Education, 2011).  As a professional leader we want people to reflect on our thoughts and moves, but the truth of the matter is, everyone is diverse in their own way and a true leader understands that and allows open collaboration.  I have learned that even a great leader needs guidance to be successful.

One long-term goal of mine is to become a CEO of a nationwide franchised preschool program that keeps a 100 percent success rate for every child who comes within.  I have always been taught to go for what I know and believe in.  I want to thank each and every one of you (my colleagues and professor) for helping me throughout this course.  I could not have done it without your guidance, great thoughts, and excellent work.  I will never forget this great community of practice team and I wish you all the best of luck throughout your wonderful professional and personal lives.  Let’s continue to help education and our world as a whole grow strong by showing positive guidance, leadership, great self-esteem, building family engagement, and staying committed in what we believe in.   

  

References

Northouse, P. G. (2010), Leadership: Theory and practice (5^th ed.).  Thousand Oaks, CA:

            SAGE Publications, Inc.  Northouse, P.G., Chapters 9 & 10, Leadership: Theory and

            practice (5^th ed.).  Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc. Books.  Used with

            permission from Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.

 Laureate Education, Inc.  (2011).  Strategies for working with diverse children: Your

            Commitment to anti-bias work.

Job/Roles in the ECE Community: Internatioally

The first international organization I chose that is appealing to me was the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  I love the fact they support the rights and health of all children.  “Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere” (UNICEF).  I commend organizations that put out exhausted efforts to ensure children are receiving the necessary treatment.  A job opportunity that interests me from UNICEF is the Education Specialist position.  This position requires advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to Education, primary education, or social sciences fields relevant to international development assistance.  As far as work experience, eight years of progressively professional experience at national and international levels in fields relevant to Education programs.

A second international organization I chose that is appealing to me was the Academy for Educational Development (AED).  I love their mission which is “to improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development” (AED, 2011).  Their organization like me believes in pushing everyone to the max so they reach their full potential.  Our world is a better place knowing that people extend their efforts to the max.  A career opportunity that grabbed my attention was an Administrative Assistant, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Region.  The job functions of this position are as followed: 

• Perform a wide variety of assignments, which support the activities of the Region XII T/TA Coordinator, and other TTA Specialists on the project.
• Assist personnel to comply with internal corporate and OHS information system guidelines to ensure operational compatibility, security, and functional capabilities required to support program activities.
• Prepare program and fiscal planning information and required correspondence and reports
• Produce reports from HSES at the request of the Regional Office and T/TA Coordinator;
• Coordinate and Track Case Management Schedule and meeting notes
• Participate in Meetings and take notes as directed by the T/TA Coordinator

The skills needed for this position is:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and to present data in written report utilizing charts and graphs, as well as ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors and prepare reports.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing to various audiences.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite and internet applications required.
• Ability to problem solve and implement corrective action as appropriate.
• Work at the Regional Office (RO) at least once a month.  The number of days will be determined by the Regional Office
• Ability to organize and perform multiple tasks at the same time with high level of accuracy.

The third international organization I chose was the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  This organization is about educating the economic and social comfort of people around the world.  “The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems” (OECD).  A career opportunity that interests me is Program Coordinator: Energy Training and Capacity Building.  Must possess excellent knowledge of written and spoken English as well as ability to draft correspondence and reports independently.  Fluency in other languages is an advantage.  Great experience to have is as followed:

·         Experience with organizing activities and events for international audiences both close to the workstation and abroad.

• Experience with sourcing and providing training and capacity building, familiarity with global energy issues, of energy policies of the IEA and outreach priorities of the Agency.  Must have familiarity with the development and institutional issues in emerging and developing economies.

• Experience of fund-raising and grants administration. Good knowledge of the OECD financial rules and regulations, particularly in respect to voluntary contributions or ability to acquire that knowledge quickly.

• Proven organizational and management abilities as demonstrated in past work (organizing workshops and seminars, coordinating teams, project management) and capacity to take a holistic approach to designing and running complex events.

• Familiarity with the OECD Events Management System or similar IT tool.

 

References

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, fromhttp://www.oecd.org/home/0,2987,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html