Ethan's Portfolio

Creative Learner 🖼️:

After doing these tasks, I think these skills are quite transfertable to the real world. The tasks themselves are probably things I will never repeat, but they are “soft skills”. I created a travel brochure which helped me develop abilities that go beyond desigining a document. For example, I had to organize information in a comprehensive and engaging way–one that was short and insightful. It developed my ability to condense information; to not overload but adequatley inform nevertheless. In real-world situations, this skill can be used when creating presentations, writing, or even communicating ideas clearly, as it helps avoid overexplaining. Additionally, I believed that it honed my creative abilities. I had to think carefully about how to make the design visually appealing while ensuring the accuracy and consision of the information.

Outside of these tasks, I believe that creativity is equally as important and definitley something to be worked on. I excel more on the logic side of things and tend to stray away from more creative aspects. These tasks definitely made me push myself and learn some invaluable skills.

Effective Collaborator:

Throughout this task, I’ve learned essential lessons and made significant progress toward becoming a better collaborator. The process has taught me the value of clear communication, active listening, and collaborating with others to achieve common goals. These abilities are critical not just for teamwork, but also for personal growth and development. Participating in this activity has confirmed my confidence in the importance of teamwork and its good impact on both individual and group outcomes. I found the assignment to be both interesting and stimulating because it allowed me to connect with individuals, exchange ideas, and learn from various views. It was a reminder of how teamwork can be both tough and rewarding, encouraging us to step out of our comfort zones, but also encouraging creativity and innovation. Reflecting on this experience, I am more confident in my abilities to contribute and thrive in collaborative environments. These newly acquired abilities will surely benefit me in future ventures, allowing me to grow not only as a team member, but also as a person. Overall, this work was a rewarding experience that demonstrated the value of collaboration in personal and professional development.

Critical Thinking 🧠:

I completed 3 critical thinking tasks that tested my ability to think outside of the box and find obscure solutions to interesting problems. They all involved different skills like drawing, writing and, of course, thinking. The first task required  me to draw a series of solutions to achieve a goal, each involving unusual objects. For example, a promopt had me use a watch, umbrella, and wheelbarrow to rescue a cat from a tree.  At first, this seemed impossible—none of these objects were meant for climbing or reaching high places. But by breaking the problem down, I realized I could use the umbrella as a makeshift lever, the wheelbarrow as a base for height, and the watch as a reflective signal to attract the cat’s attention. This task forced me to move beyond obvious solutions and experiment with how everyday objects could serve unconventional purposes. It reinforced that critical thinking isn’t just about problem solving; but reframing a challenge and considering multiple approaches.

The second task was a test of my communication skills: I had to select 20 words to use for the rest of my life, with no exceptions. At first, I tried to choose words that covered the basics—”food,” “water,” “help”—but then I realized I also needed connectors like “yes,” “no,” and “please” for basic interaction. The hardest part was balancing necessity with expression. I debated whether to include emotions like “happy” or “sad,” or if I should focus entirely on survival-related words. This task revealed how much language shapes thought and interaction. It showed that critical thinking involves prioritization—determining what is essential and what can be sacrificed.

Both tasks pushed me to think outside the box and considering multiple aspects of a problem. Instead of looking for direct answers, I had to analyze, adapt, and make unconventional choices.

Communication 🗣️:

The communication tasks all required some sort of rather uncommon interaction. One of these had me read a Christmas picture book to a small group of young elementary school children. While this seemed simple at first, I quickly realized that effective communication is more than just reading words aloud—it’s about engagement, clarity, and connection.

As I began reading, I noticed that the children’s attention wavered at times. This made me adjust my tone, adding more expression and variation to keep them interested. I emphasized certain words and changed my voice for different characters. I also had to consider the pace I read at, since they were younger kids and process information differently than the older audiences that I am used to.

This task reminded me of my own childhood, when listening to stories felt magical. It also reinforced an important lesson: good communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about making sure your audience understands and connects with what you’re saying.

Resilient 💪:

The resilience tasks that stood out to me were mindfulness walking and mindfulness eating. Both required me to slow down, focus on the present moment, and be more aware of my surroundings and experiences. They challenged me to step away from my usual fast-paced habits and practice patience and intentionality.

For mindfulness walking, I took a slow, deliberate walk while paying close attention to my surroundings. Instead of rushing to a destination, I focused on the feeling of my footsteps, the sounds around me, and even the rhythm of my breathing. At first, it felt unnatural—I’m used to walking quickly and thinking about where I need to be next. But as I continued, I started noticing small details I usually overlook. This task reminded me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges; but also about slowing down, finding moments of peace, and resetting my mind to better handle stress.

The second task, mindfulness eating, was especially challenging because I usually eat quickly without much thought. This time, I intentionally slowed down and focused on every bite. The texture, the flavors, and even where the food came from. I thought about how much effort went into producing each ingredient, from farming to cooking. This shift in perspective made me appreciate my meal in a way I hadn’t before. It also made me realize how often I eat on autopilot, barely acknowledging the experience.

These tasks weren’t so much about pushing through challenges but rather developing awareness, patience and a sense of control over my actions.