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Ashley Rowland Professor Lago 1100 College Writing 8 0ctober 2013 Adapting to Change in The Work Place The present workplace has definitely changed and improved over the years. It is no doubt that one of the most significant traits employers will always search for in their employees is their ability to adapt accordingly and successfully in the workplace. In addition employees who are unable to adapt to change will find themselves unworthy of the position, theoretically restricting and preventing their opportunities for growth within their career. Certainly, it is not an encouraging situation any employee would like to go through, but unfortunately this is the harsh reality for workers who find themselves incapable of adjust to changes throughout their career. Also as a college student I wonder if Im picking the right major, and if college will prepare me for the competitive work place. Furthermore succeeding in the current work place accordingly is based off the ability of adapting to change, and the type of person you are, not on your level of education. My best friend's mother, Haydee Patracino, she is unable to adapt to the new technological resources at her job. It is an everyday day problem as a secretary in a local Post Office. She is a Puerto-Rican foreigner who came to this country in 1982. As a citizen who knew no English, it was extremely difficult for Haydee to find a good paying job. After a few years in this country Haydee finally found a steady job in 1988 at the United States Post Office. As of today, Haydee is still being employed there, but is afraid of losing her job. When I first interviewed Haydee she told me never to get too comfortable because requirements in a job have

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to change in order to get better. Those words were really meaningful to me because now I know not to make the same mistake. When I enter the work place I will try not to limit myself and always strive to be better. Haydee informed me her mistake was not trying to progress because of the great benefits she was given by doing federal work. In addition, Haydee told me that there was always work available in the post office until the use of technology increased. The use of the Internet allowed customers to handle or contact their mailing necessities by other resources, such as emails. Ms.Patracino has already seen many of her co-workers get laid-off because they could not adapt to change, and were no longer useful to the post office. The reason she is afraid of losing her job is because she is not very good with technological devices. Ms.Patracino barely has an education besides training for this position and her previous jobs that were also related to this work. Moreover, I asked Ms.Patracino, does she think if she had a better education would she be more suitable to adapt to her job changes? Ms.Patracino response was, "Yes". She believed that if she had reached a higher education level, it would have been easierfor her to adapt to the new technology resources. I believe it depends on the type of person you are in order to adapt to change. For example when I first bought my iPad mini, I had to explore the machine in order to learn how to use it. Basically the use of technological resources can be self-taught and it does not depend on the level of your education level. She concluded at the end of the interview that she advises me too consider becoming a double major because everything changes overtime and in order for me to be successful and capable to adapt to change I have to be well-rounded. Lastly, she told me to take advantage of the college experience, and use it as a tool. In my perspective the college experience happens outside, not in the classroom .Anyone can get a great experience and become well-rounded.

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College classes do not make a student well-rounded, it depends on the type of person they are. If the person is an active learner, they can also become well-rounded. On the other hand, I interviewed my psychology professor Robin Nemeroff. The first question I asked professor Nemeroff was how she broke into her career. She answered by saying when she attended undergraduate school her major was business, and due to her first job doing advertisement she lost interest because it was not very meaningful. She wanted to help others so she went to graduate school, and got her doctorate in clinical psychology. Throughout graduate school she did several internships in hospitals and that made her well-rounded, and more passionate about her career choice. Professor Nemeroff was determined, dedicated, and assiduous. I believe her drive to adapt to change allowed her to progress. I asked what has changed throughout her career from when she first started until now. Professor Nemeroff stated several theories have changed and improved. She gave me an insight about being a psychologist, she said you will always have to do research and study while practicing any health field or science. I was able to relate and get a better understanding of what I really wanted to know. I also asked her what type of people she recommends to be psychologist. Her answer was people who are patient, and you have to be good with people. I was extremely curios if she thought her level of education had anything to with the way she adapted to her job changes. She answered no. She said it depended on the type of person she is. She concluded that patience and persistence is the key to a successful career. Professor Nemeroff is absolutely correct because persistency and patience can be applied anywhere. Such as, when I first started dancing I was not the best, but as I practiced and dedicated time I got better. Professor Nemeroff is a great example of how adapting to change depend on the type of person you are. Simply because she changed

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her career and because she was persistent and patient while studying and now practicing psychology, she is able to have a successful career. The interviews were extremely helpful on my behalf. I actually learned a lot of tools and information. Also I was able to get a better insight on how difficult and competitive the market place is. When I become a Forensic Psychologist I will never get to comfortable with my job. Instead I will always do research on relevant and irrelevant topics, work to the best of my ability , and always try to do better. I will try to follow my psychology professor footsteps by being persistent, devoted, open-minded, and always think positive because those are the key characteristics to success. In conclusion, now I understand what employers will always expect for i their employees to be able to adapt accordingly and successfully in the workplace because it shows what type of person they truly are. It does not depend on your level of education. As I previously mentioned, Haydee believed that her chances on adapting to the new technology resources at her job were based on her education level. Operating new technological devices can be self-taught actually. Secondly, the college experience does not only happen in the classroom. It depends on the type of person you are .The more motivation the person has about learning; the well-rounded they are bound to be. Lastly, persistent and patience can be applied anywhere. Overall it is obvious the work place is changing and evolving every day.

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Work Cited (Professor Lago , Rumor Experiment ) (Haydee Patrcino , Participant Interviewer) (Professor Robin Nemeroff, Participant Interviewer )