Hello readers!

Before I begin the blog, I think that it is important to discuss why it exists.  Here is my goal that I hope to learn through this blog:

To better understand how to move data into graphics that improve organizational communication, I want to learn how to efficiently analyze complex data in Microsoft Excel and compile it into a single statement. With pivot tables, charting, simulations, and other tools, I will be better able to project hypotheses at my workplace and/or in my future career.

As one can see, I chose a challenging, measurable skill as my learning goal for the semester. As senior begins, I am realizing that HOD is lacking in teaching these while many of our soft skills are abundant. Although it is a common goal among HOD students, I had actually been searching for a good time to teach myself Excel skills for quite some time. Despite my abilities to correctly analyze and research organizational and environmental trends, I struggle with large amounts of data to prove my points and justify my actions. I often turn to team members to tackle these activities while I focus on my strengths. However, I had an engaging conversation with a consultant at my company the other day that inspired me to chose this goal.

Charlie Floyd encouraged me to look at the concept of multiple intelligences originally developed by Howard Gardner to account for a broad range of human potential. Mr. Floyd explained to me at my site that I might naturally be inclined to linguistic, spatial, or interpersonal intelligence but that I could work on developing another weaker area like logical-mathematical intelligence while at Rainmaker. By completing an online training of the advanced functions of Excel, I can not only support the rest of my strengths in decision making but I can also better market myself in the professional world with this new skill. I have always been curious about the massive abilities of Excel, but it has been such a source of insecurity for me because I have not committed the time necessary to master its functions. Because I am intrinsically motivated to reach this learning goal, it will not be difficult for me to pursue this goal and reach an ending. I chose the evidence of an instructional blog because it makes the most logical sense to display my knowledge of Excel. I also truly enjoy creative projects, so hopefully, the creation of this blog will make the process flow more easily. I have learned that reach a state of energized, involved focus when I can see how the completion of a goal will benefit me and when the smaller steps to completing that goal are achievable. This learning trajectory will go hand in hand with my preferred learning style.

This learning goal is relevant to my work at the internship site in two ways. First, this learning goal directly relates to the tasks that I have been given recently involving our CRM (customer relationship management) system. The system contains enormous amounts of data that has built up over many years of client relationships, and there are many opportunities for the company to identify trends from these numbers. By developing my analytical skills, I can add value to the work that I am already doing for Rainmaker. Secondly, this learning goal relates to my internship site because it provides hard data for decision-making. I have observed that The Rainmaker Companies are incredibly results-oriented, so presenting information to my superiors much be given in a reliable and efficient manner on Excel.

Most importantly, I have switched away from a video or screencast to more accurately show my experiences with learning this skill from online tutorials. I hope to make Microsoft Excel more approachable and give only information that is applicable.