It is officially 2022 and as such, it is a time of reflection, setting goals and expectations, and enacting change. As we struggle to continue to cope with the pandemic and the obvious change it has brought into our everyday lives, a sense of order, routine, and accomplishment can help pave the way for a successful and bright 2022. Balancing school, work, events, and life while making sure you are not missing anything can be stressful and exhausting. Therefore, now is an exciting time to implement scheduling, organization, and accountability while working toward your goals.
Organizational Skills
As part of the SkillsUSA Ohio program, there are many opportunities a student can and should participate in, to get the most out of our amazing program. Our mission is to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens, which requires we offer many activities, programs, competitions, challenges, and more to help our students prepare for their future. We know keeping up with everything and finding balance can be hard. This is a skill that also needs to be developed to be successful in the workforce and in life. Oftentimes when you are entering the workforce and interviewing, a potential employer will ask you about your organizational skills. This is more than just keeping a tidy workspace—it also applies to planning, execution, and teamwork.
Employers look for these types of organizational skills:
Administrative—coordinating projects and processes, filing systems, personal space, scheduling and calendar management, documentation.
Effectiveness—attention to detail, prioritization, identifying problems and resources, creative thinking
Productivity—task analysis and resolution, workflow management, assessment, policy enforcement
Planning—analysis, budgeting, data, deadlines, decision making, forecasting, metrics, development, design
Project Management—structural planning, scheduling, research, strategic planning, coordinating meetings, multitasking
Teamwork—communication, confidence, facilitating meetings, goal setting, implementation, leadership, managing conflict, enforcing deadlines
Organization can play into almost every aspect of your job and your life. In 2022, we challenge our members to get organized, work hard, and reach their goals! One way to do this is by keeping a calendar (either electronic or hard copy) that includes all the events/competitions/challenges etc., that are listed on the SkillsUSA Ohio website. By filling in these important dates, you will have a straightforward way to access and prepare for them. After the events are scheduled, go back, and outline the deadlines for registrations, forms, and nominations throughout the year (also provided on our website) in a distinct color or font to emphasize them in a way to catch your eye. Don’t forget to include other items of importance—school, family, friend events. After this is complete, you can look at your responsibilities week by week and plan out in more detail what you need to do on any given day, week, or month. Lists are helpful in making sure nothing is left out and can also give you a sense of accomplishment once you are able to check them off!
Setting Goals and Expectations
Setting goals and expectations can be a tricky thing. It is important to be realistic when outlining things you want to achieve and accomplish over a period of time. If you do set a high goal that you are unable to achieve, you can always try again or continue to work toward it. Having a document or journal where you can outline your goals and expectations is a good place to start. Brainstorm and document ways you are going to reach these goals and check back in frequently to adjust or update as needed. We are all a work in progress, and sometimes things shift or change. When this happens, just be sure to update your goal and/or expectation to reflect on that. It is productive to always have a goal you are working toward and striving to achieve. This can keep you motivated and on track when scheduling or assessing your weekly tasks in your calendar.
Examples of goals to have within the SkillsUSA Ohio Program:
Compete in the Promotional T-Shirt and Pin Design Challenge
Make it to the State Championship competition
Work towards becoming a Chapter Leader/attend the Fall Leadership Conference
Nominate someone for SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year
Become a State Officer
Work towards becoming a State Advisor/attend the next training
Network with someone in the industry you are interested in
Identify weaknesses you have in the SkillsUSA Framework and build on them
Upcoming Events to Look Forward to in 2022
FEBRUARY 18 – NORTHWEST REGIONAL COMPETITION – VANGUARD-SENTINEL CTC: SENTINEL CAMPUS
FEBRUARY 19 – SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COMPETITION – WARREN COUNTY CAREER CENTER
FEBRUARY 26 – NORTHEAST REGIONAL COMPETITION – MAPLEWOOD CAREER CENTER
MARCH 5 – SOUTHEAST REGIONAL COMPETITION – KNOX COUNTY CAREER CENTER
MARCH 5 – SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL COMPETITION – EASTLAND CAREER CENTER
MARCH 12 – NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL COMPETITION – LORAIN COUNTY JVS
MAY 3 & 4 – SKILLSUSA OHIO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUNE 6 to 10 – STATE OFFICER’S RETREAT
JUNE 10 – OHIO NATIONAL PREP CONFERENCE/DELEGATE TRAINING
JUNE 20 to 24 – NATIONAL LEADERSHIP & SKILLS CONFERENCE
JULY (typically 3rd week) – SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMPFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 10 – NEW STATE ADVISOR TRAINING
SEPTEMBER TBD – WASHINGTON LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE
SEPTEMBER TBD – ADVISOR TRAINING CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 10 & 11 – SKILLSUSA OHIO FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE