Friday, July 4, 2025

First Week in Class


The first week of class has been a whirlwind of introductions, odd exercises, and a few frustrations, but it’s finally starting to feel like we’re getting somewhere.

 Day 1-3: Getting to Know the Crew

The first couple of days were all about breaking the ice and knowing our DISC profile. We spent time introducing ourselves and sharing why we’re taking the course. It was cool to hear everyone’s motivations—some want career shifts, others are here to level up their skills. I enjoyed the vibe of connecting with new people, but it felt a bit like speed-dating for classmates.

Day two, we had this bizarre exercise where we were split into breakout rooms based on the industry we’re interested in. I picked the government sector. The room was a ghost town—no one was able to share insights about working in that space since nobody was from this industry. It felt like a total waste of time, and I left wondering what the point was. A facilitator or some prep could’ve saved this from being a flop.

Day 4: Sidelined and Annoyed
By day four, I was ready for something engaging, but instead, I got another letdown. We had a group game planned, but only five people could play, and I ended up as a backup. I love games and know I’m pretty good at them, so sitting on the sidelines watching others make questionable moves was frustrating. Honestly, they could’ve set up another subgroup so everyone could participate. It felt like a missed opportunity, and I was left twiddling my thumbs.

Group Dynamics: Not My Vibe
I was also hoping we’d switch groups for each module, but nope—we’re stuck with the same crew for the next four months. My group is one of the biggest, and most people seem super introverted, serious, and overly structured. I’m more of a fun, high-energy person, and I clicked way better with another group during the networking breakouts. They had this crazy, fun vibe that I like. Being locked into a group that doesn’t match my energy is a bit of a bummer, but I’ll make it work.

Day 5: Finally, Something Useful
Today, things took a turn for the better. We dove into structured problem-solving skills, and I’m actually excited about it. The framework we learned is practical and feels like something I can apply to my current project.

It’s refreshing to finally dig into content that’s relevant and actionable. I’m starting to see the value of the course, even if the first week had its hiccups.