Updated PDP

Personal Development Plan

My Current State

Strengths

·         Optimistic

·         Good time management

·         Communicate well with others

Weaknesses

·         Hard to step outside comfort zone

·         Lack initiative.  Too much planning but no action.

·         Not assertive enough

Focus Areas

·         Develop more self confidence and courage

·         Learn to be more assertive

My Desired State

Ability to talk and act confidently regardless of what the situation or who I am talking to.  Not afraid to voice out my ideas and opinions and willing to try new things and take some risks.  Always look for new opportunities rather than walk the common path.  Look for positives in any circumstances and make the best out of un-favorable situations.

Post 15: Entrepreneurship

The career plan that I have been looking at for awhile is being involved in research and development for a company I enjoy.  The thing that would make this more enjoyable is if I was able to work on projects that really interest me.  In the past I have worked on research projects that I both care a lot about and also ones that I didn't care a lot about.  I could tell that if I worked on a project that interests me, I put a lot more time into it and the end result was much better.

If I had to choose a path to go about my research and development career, I believe I would want to be an entrepreneur.  After learning the difference between a businessman and an entrepreneur it seems the quality of life for an entrepreneur would be much better.  I get the sense that I can work my own hours and have a lot less stress when working on a project.  It is also huge for me to have time to spend with family since I planned to have a pretty large family.  I want to be happy when I go to work because this makes for better productivity and an overall well being at the workplace.  It seems to me that a businessman would not be as excited to work as an entrepreneur would be.

One area that I would have to improve on to be an entrepreneur is the "risk taker" quality.  I have in the past been a more "safe" type of guy.  I know that taking risks can result in higher rewards but I've been that type of person that doesn't want to risk a lot.  Another area that I would have to work on is being the person that takes charge of the situation.  I have always been the guy who just contributes to other ideas because I tend to go unheard when I give my opinion.  I have became better at these two areas throughout the past couple years but I still got a ways to go in order to become a successful entrepreneur

I do not necessarily believe that entrepreneurship is just about starting a business.  I believe it is taking pre-existing ideas and innovating them.  This is why I think I'm more of an entrepreneur.  I love takeing ideas that I already know, and think about ways to make it better.  I think that starting a business would be a good way if they are starting it for the right reasons.  It shouldn't be solely to make money, but help improve lives of others for the good.  I much rather work on something that I strongly believe in instead of working to make a lot of money.

As the world changes, I believe entrepreneurs would be able to adapt quicker than businessman.  They seem to be more open minded and able to use their ideas to overcome any obstacles that arise.

Looking at which type of person would find "happiness" all depends on the individual's view of "happiness."  It seems that people tend to get caught up to much in the view that happiness = money.  After talking to several people, including my parents, I can tell that happiness isn't solely dependant on money.  You have to love what you do even if you don't make a ton of money.  For me, I don't look at success by how much money I earn, but rather if I enjoy what I do.  This is why I believe entreprenuers will achieve more because they seem to live a happier life.

Post 14: Implementing a Lean Process

I decided to organize and clean our living room for my lean process.  The living room is always cluttered with garbage and other random items.  It also is not the cleanest area of the house so I took time to thoroughly clean every part of the room.  Also, the original set up we had with the furniture and TV made for a real disorganized area.  It wasn't the most comfortable set up and I thought we could open up a lot more space just by rearranging everything.

To begin the process I vacuumed and dusted the entire area.  This helped everyone have a cleaner sense of well being when we were all gathered in the living room.  After this was done I rearranged the furniture and TV in a way that it would open up more space.  Before, there was a lot of bumping into furniture and other people which got annoying and painful at times.  This new arrangement opened up space for everyone to sit comfortably.  I was able to wrap up and organize all the electronic cords so they weren't just laying randomly on the floor.  Our living room didn't have a light in it so I took two lamps that nobody was using and placed them in different areas of the room to promote better lighting so it wasn't so dark and dull in the room.

Overall, this all helped me and the other roommates understand that a little work can drastically improve certain situations.  There is a better sense of well being when relaxing in the living room.  It is much cleaner and better organized which makes it more enjoyable to be in the living room.

Post 13: Criteria for Evaluation

Criteria for Evaluation

Attendance
Participation
Communication
Enthusiasm
Professionalism
Task Accomplished
Contribution

Each person will be evaluated on a number scale by their individual contribution to each criteria

Post 12: 5S Process

I didn't realize it at the time but when we decided to rearrange our living room at our apartment, we used the 5S process.  The pictures make it difficult to see everything we did but it is a decent view of the general rearrangement.  Below are the phases of 5S and how we incorporated each phase into our living room rearrangement.

Sorting (Seiri):  We eliminated unwanted elements by going through all the electronics and papers that were scattered on top and side of the TV.  If it was not needed then it was thrown away or put somewhere else.

Straightening or setting in order/stabilize (Seiton):  Moving the TV and couches were necessary because the before set-up was not ideal.  It worked but it was too crowded and awkward at times.

Sweeping or shining or cleanliness/systematic cleaning (Seiso):  Large amounts of cleaning were performed in this rearrangement.  The carpets were vacuumed, the TV dusted, and coffee tables wiped down.

Standardizing (Seiketsu):  Certain jobs for the rearrangement was issued.  For example, one person would be in charge of moving the furniture while another was in charge of vacuuming the carpets.

Sustaining the discipline or self-discipline (Shitsuke):  After all is said and down, everyone understood that this new living room arrangement needs to be kept clean and organized, unlike how it was before.  

Before

After

Post 11: Quality Management

Quality Management In Scientific Research and Development

Advances in science have led to major improvements in people's lives but this is twinned with an increasing focus on the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, devices, biologicals, agrochemicals and chemicals in humans, animals and the environment.

Quality management in scientific R&D has become an essential tool in ensuring that modern developments are implemented within a rigorous and robust quality framework.

Developed with BARQA, this unique MSc has been devised to meet increasing demand by the healthcare industry for senior quality management professionals.

This course will enable you to develop:
a solid foundation in regulatory requirements and standards
the skills needed to manage quality teams and systems
your ability to deliver quality results and business performance in a global environment.

The course is specifically designed to provide you with invaluable access to industry professionals and networking events - preparing you for exciting career development opportunities.

This MSc is divided into three parts:
a formal taught component comprising eight modules
an integrating portfolio
an individual research project.

http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/courses/page21126.html

Post 10: Specific Ethical Question

My field of interest is in Nanotechnology.  The ethical question I would like to address is whether a precautionary principle should be used in nanotechnology regulations.  Mainly how strict a precautionary principle should be.

"The Precautionary Principle demands the proactive introduction of protective measures in the face of possible risks, which science at present -- in the absence of knowledge -- can neither confirm nor reject."


In the realm of nanosciences, the normal laws of physics no longer apply.  At the level below 50 nanometers, materials have different properties than at larger scales.  There are uncertainties on how the materials will act at that level which may call for a regulation of technological advances in the nano scale.


Argument For Strict Regulation
The strongest version of the precautionary principle would be to require a product be 'proven to be safe' before it is introduced.

This version would require a burden of proof to those who wish to introduce a new technology.  They would need to prove without a doubt that the product is safe before it is introduced.

Argument for Less Strict Regulation
A weaker version would simply require evidence of safety.

This version allows the technology to be introduced unless they could be shown to be unsafe.

My Position
I believe there should be a less strict regulation in place for technological advances in nanoscience.  There is a lack of full scientific certainty in nanoscience but that shouldn't call for a strict regulation.  This would slow down the production and advances in the field.  The question "how much proof is necessary" is key.  How do you prove a product to be 100% safe? It's extremely difficult to think of any product that is 100% safe.

Citations

Wolf, Clark.  Case Study:  Nanotech Regulation and the Precautionary Priciple. Print.


http://www.crnano.org/precautionary.htm

http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2004/09012004/september04corp2.html