Connecting Theory to Practice

-->Connecting Theory to Practice

The following analysis connects practice to theory with regard to my internship course outcomes and relevant internship experiences and observations as they relate to specific professional competencies practiced during unit one of this course.  Course outcomes experienced during unit one of this internship include evaluation of planning, information management, and control. Leadership and organizational performance during week one also helped guide interns on ethical time clock keeping. Lastly, leadership and management help interns in understanding and practicing organizational processes and procedures with regard to social media publication.

One of the first examples of practice to theory during unit one includes information management and control. Information management is exercised with the delivery of guidelines, of suggested content, which social media specialists are to follow and stay close to in communicating through social media. Communication is the key concept here with leadership training, information management, and new intern acknowledgement. The underlying theory of this communication results in “an uncomplicated process of sending and receiving messages” (Cornelissen., Durand, Fiss, Lammers, Vaara, 2015). The theory of sending and receiving messages directly, identifies verbal training through the use of a phone call which was experienced during week one of the internship by Tony Robinson. This is communication. Additional methods of communication are practiced and utilized by means of “All hands on deck” meetings, department meetings, and emails. This communication is enhanced through business process and leadership competencies. Both business process and leadership concepts present University Consulting, LLC with strong tools in managing and developing interns.

University Consulting, LLC. includes a number of business process’s which support business communication and business development. The theory of a, “detail document” (Page, 2010), is practiced by University Consulting, LLC through the use of the University Consulting, LLC Employee Handbook, the Intern Training Slides, Media Site Login Information, Job Descriptions: Social Media Specialist, Metrics Training, Social Media Specialist Site Administration and Post Response, and the Social Media Specialist Continuity Book. These documents provide new interns with vital information to succeed in completing tasks and developing business communication to the public through social media. Next we consider leadership competencies offered in the development of new company interns at University Consulting, LLC.

One of the most important leadership competencies in business is to possess a number of qualities. An important quality is, “The Ability to Inspire and Motivate” (Brian, 2014, Chapter 6). This theory is put into practice at University Consulting, LLC. The University Consulting, LLCmanagement team inspires and motivates potential and new interns by offering informative meet and greets, providing a flexible work environment, and by providing professional training and learning tools.

In conclusion this analysis offers some examples of how theory is put into practice in regard to leadership, business process, information management, and communication of said guidelines and information. The only recommendation for improvement in the business process thus far is to provide additional training to interns. It is vital that interns responsible for public social media posts are aware that incorrect spelling can damage the reputation of a business. Recommended training should suggest rereading of potential posts before and after posting, checking website links for material which is not professional in nature, and also checking for spelling and content mistakes by fellow interns.

References

Brian, T. (2014). Leadership. The Ability to Inspire and Motivate. Retrieved on June 16, 2015

from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzY0MDQ0M19fQU41?sid=a917ef6b-642c-46d2-af15-fab06a3b8936@sessionmgr110&vid=0&format=EK&rid=5

Cornelissen J.P., Durand R., Fiss P.C., Lammers J.C., Vaara E. (2015). Putting Communication

Front and Center In Institutional Theory and Analysis. Vol. 40, No. 1, 10–27. Retrieved

on June 16, 2015 from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=96fe23b1-e6ce-48ed-831b-aaefb3db8574%40sessionmgr113&vid=6&hid=117

Page, S. (2010). The Power of Business Process Improvement: 10 Simple Steps to Increase

Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Adaptability. Retrieved on June 16, 2015 from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzI5NzgwM19fQU41?sid=c88dff3e-2e65-4f36-ae1a-1d355b38e26e@sessionmgr114&vid=1&format=EB&rid=5

Reflective Internship Essay

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Reflective Internship Essay 

The University Consulting internship provides prospective interns the ability to build a more appropriate professional presence and repertoire.  In an effort to achieve this they provide numerous processes that empower interns to experience practices that would be used in a typical business atmosphere.  They also instruct them on knowledge that will allow them to evaluate information management, planning and control business environments, analyze organization processes and procedures in a variety of business settings, synthesis appropriate principles, concepts, and frameworks for making ethical decisions, assess the roles that structure, management, and leadership play in organizational performance, evaluate how economics, government, and law affect value creation in the global context, and evaluate career skills in the field of business and management.

One important aspect of management is known as controlling.  Controlling involves ensuring that performance does not deviate from the set standards outlined by the organization.  This process consists of three steps, establishing performance standards, comparison of actual performance against standards, and taking corrective action as needed.  When entering into the internship it is outlined that each intern is required to meet a ten hour a week minimum.  This is tracked and evaluated using a developed program known as time clock which tracks when each intern clocks in and out.  The intern is also responsible for notating what job related activities they are conducting at that time.  This is known as a performance record and it coincides will the billable hours sheet which must be submitted no later than the end of business each Friday.  After submission these reports are transferred to the Director of Operations for comparison of actual performance and if any discrepancies are found corrective action will be taken

University Consulting being student run organization has enabled it to become subject to complications.  It was easy to identify early on that there were relevant issues in the subject of leadership as not every participant of the organization was able to properly evaluate the information being provided to them and distribute the information downstream as necessary.  Others lacked the ability to utilize information planning which is an important aspect in information management.  Planning is a function of management that requires individuals to set objectives and determine the appropriate course of action for achieving said objectives. Although in the infancy stage of the internship it should be noted that there should be an adequate level of planning and organization prior to the inclusion of the interns if the expectation is that the organization is not slowed or even brought to a halt in the process of adding new people.

Organizing is the function of management that involves the development of organizational structure and allocating human resources to ensure the accomplishments of objectives. Properly utilizing organization involves how to best departmentalize, or cluster jobs into departments to effectively coordinate effort.  From the beginning it was easy to determine that there were multiple levels of organization taking place in University Consulting.  They properly and effectively distributed individual interns into teams and advised them of their team leaders and their clients as well as their Director of Operations.  Through proper use of organizing one can then begin to lead. Leading is the ability to influence others towards the attainment of organizational objectives.  This requires leaders to properly communicate and motivate their subordinates and effectively use power.

Motivated individuals are more likely to be both creative and productive than those individuals that are unmotivated.  In fact behavioral psychologists have developed various theories relating to motivation and they created these theories as a means to more effectively understand and control human behavior.  For instance Elton Mayo developed a theory of motivation that examined the social needs of the worker.  His beliefs were that money alone was not a sufficient means to properly motivate employees to be productive and instead recommended that employers treat their workers in a caring and humane fashion that reflects an active interest in the individual.  Being in contact on a regular basis and through multiple means members of University Consulting are showing that level of interest.  They are actively engaging with interns and encouraging others to seek more opportunities as well as having an open door policy.

To properly evaluate University Consulting one must understand the ultimate goal of the program.  This organizations role is to prepare interns to be productive professionals.  They do this by implementing various tasks such as time clocks and sheets, training and meetings, and the option to advance within the company after a set period of time.  They expect each and every individual to uphold moral and ethical standards as defined in their Employee Handbook as well as their Non-Disclosure Agreements which are in place for the protection of the individual, the organization, and the client.  These tasks allow each and every individual to use professional competences such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, technical expertise, time management, and goal setting.  It is foreseeable that these skills will be added to as more challenges are presented and more projects are given. At this time it seems as though this program is highly beneficial and greatly needed for the future of these interns.

References:

Management Functions - organization, levels, style, manager, school, company, business. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Log-Mar/Management-Functions.html

Silver, F., & Media, D. (n.d.). Three Major Theories of Motivation | Business & Entrepreneurship - azcentral.com. Retrieved from http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/three-major-theories-motivation-1260.html

Wilson Ph.D., T. (2002). Information management. Retrieved from http://www.informationr.net/tdw/publ/papers/encyclopedia_entry.html

Experiential Learning Can be Difficult

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 Experiential Learning Can be Difficult

           For many students at Kaplan University, the decision to engage in a degree program came to them at a later part of their life. Many have already been an active member of the working community and decided to return to school to open new doors and offer better opportunities. The conversation of returning to college after years in the workforce is not an easy one. Many are intimidated by younger students and professors, while others are overwhelmed by the increased demand for their time. This is not a decision that should be entered into lightly nor is the decision to embark on an internship, but here we are.
            After spending countless hours’ writing papers, finishing assignments and participating in classroom discussion, students are now awarded the opportunity to apply the learning in a simulated working environment. The process is as stressful as the rest of the college experience. You are the new kid in the meetings trying to keep up with the seniors. The seniors are trying to integrate new interns into the program while managing their heavy workload as well. Communication is all electronic which offers an added level of frustration and confusion. Several emails are received daily with instructions of yet more programs you need to learn.
            Regardless of all the stress and anxiety that accompanies an internship there is also the excitement of the opportunities that can follow. The best way to reduce the amount of stress an intern is feeling is to be as organized as possible and schedule time everyday to work on the program. On-line internship differs from a traditional internship in the sense that first impressions, how to dress and what to bring, does not apply. It is harder to make an on-line impression and so you do this with being on time for the meetings, checking emails regularly and engaging in conversations with peers. For some of us, an internship is the end of a two or four year journey of completely assignments on time and engaging with fellow classmates and our professor. The internship affords us the opportunity to apply the structure from the class room in an environment similar to the one we will be entering after graduation.
            Life is not perfect, nor is the process of apply for a job. It would make sense that the internship process also has its flaws. Being organized and creating a set of goals for the program is a great way to ensure you will get the most out of the internship. Experts also state that interns which are proactive and take part in shaping their goals and assignments have a better experience. This shows the supervisor that you are a key player and will produce quality work. As an intern you must also be careful not to over promise and under deliver. Many times an intern is overexcited for the opportunity and then disappoints the managers when the work load turns out to be too much for them.
            Through the journey at Kaplan, students have experienced several different professors that all had a very different style and approach to teaching. The constants that students could rely on were the discussion posts, deadlines and seminars. Assignments and quizzes were all handled very different depending on the instructor. The professors were preparing us for life after college and now the knowledge that was gained can be applied to the internship. Along with the knowledge that was gained, students can find useful information on the internet that can give them a leg up for success.
            Allison Green talks about the top 10 tips for a successful internship and many of them can be applied to an on-line program. First, know what to expect and if you are unsure ask questions. Many of the interns have suffered from confusion with their job description and placement. However, confusion happens in life and it is the responsibility of the student to ask questions and be persistent until they are clear as to the expectations. It is then advised that an intern gain trust early to show that you pay attention to details and are here to work. Staying focused on your work, mirror others behavior and taking your work seriously are all ways to be successful in an internship program.
            Even though an internship is unpaid, real work experience goes along way when applying for a job. Many new employers want to see a college degree as well as some real-time experience before they consider a candidate for a position. The downside is that you need experience to get a job but can’t get experience without a job. Internships are the bridge that employers are looking for and there is always a chance that an intern can be offered a position at the company once they have finished school. For this reason and for your own credibility, it is important to treat an internship like you would any job. A strong work ethic is something that is instilled into people and those that have one also has a tendency to be more successful.

References:

                  Green, Allison (2011).10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Internship. Retrieved from: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-internship/3

                  Sabatino, Colleen. Four Goal-Setting Tips. Retrieved from                                                                                                                        http://www.internships.com/student/resources/workplace/the-first-few-days/four-                                      goal-setting-tips

                  The First Few Days. Retrieved from                                                                                                                                                                             http://www.internships.com/student/resources/workplace/the-first-few-days