Mikayla's FEBRUARY reflection
What’s one piece of constructive criticism you received during your time at YRES that changed your perspective or approach? How did you implement it?
One piece of constructive criticism I received during my time at YRES was the importance of taking initiative instead of waiting for tasks to come my way. Initially, I was hesitant to step outside my assigned tasks though I realized that being proactive would allow me to contribute more effectively. To implement this, whenever I found myself with free time, I actively looked for areas where tasks needed to be completed or where I could assist others. By taking on these extra tasks my productivity strengthened alongside my problem-solving and leadership skills.
What’s a “small win” you accomplished recently that made a big difference in your confidence or productivity?
The “small win” I accomplished recently was successfully onboarding the high school co-op students. Leading presentations has never been my strongest skill, and it was something I wanted to improve when I joined this organization. With Natalie co-leading, the presentation went smoothly, and I felt more confident guiding the students through the process. I knew it was effective because they had minimal questions and completed their onboarding tasks with little to no mistakes. This experience boosted my confidence in public speaking and reinforced the importance of preparation and teamwork in delivering clear and impactful presentations.
If your first two months at YRES were a TV show, what would the title be and what genre would it fall under?
If my first two months at YRES were a TV show, the title would be “Adapt and Thrive”, and it would fall under the workplace comedy genre. The experience has been a mix of learning curves, unexpected challenges, and small victories—kind of like the first season of a show where the main character is figuring things out. There have been moments of trial and error, but also a lot of growth, teamwork, and funny little mishaps along the way. Each episode would showcase a new lesson, a new challenge, and a step toward becoming more confident in my role.
