@dubhcait

[dubhcait]

@dubhcait

Name: Kate O'Brien

How I get my best work done:

For project work, I love doing a bit of brainstorming before getting my teeth into a project. Discussing learning aims we have and how we would like to work. I Ideally like doing a paper mockup and to do list. I try not to go down pointless rabbit holes but it happens.

I like the atmosphere to be not so serious. I try to avoid feeling stressed as it makes my dyslexic much worse so I may come across as too relaxed which hopefully doesn't irritate people. Plus expect random dancing. 💃

I find pair coding very helpful. I can get a bit disorganised so if I'm paired with someone who likes to go back to the brief and recap, it brings out the best in me.I've liked coding as a team rather than splitting up to code. I feel like the projects we have are for learning and if you split up that robs one pair of that learning.

I'm dyslexic so expect typos and rather than tell me what is spelt wrong, tell me how to spell it right. It helps me not get frustrated at myself. Thanks <3

I find the set up in FAC; the projector, the set up when the tables are up way and all the things that generally at the front, just so cluttered. I'm usually kinda confident at presenting. In this environment though I just am apathetic about honing my presenting skills.

The role I usually take in a team:

I dont really take a leading role if I can help it. I often try to facilitate everyone speaking and try and make it a collaborative process rather than the most efficient. Unless I get excited. I am a person who can try to do too much so I'm learning to rein it in.

My communication style:

I can find it really draining to repeatly answer the same question. If you need to though, tell me and rather than asking me to explain, ask can I clarify your explanation. Its much less draining for me and shows that you are making a effort. I find I can be way more patient when the situation is presented like this. I don't learn by repetition, I learn by building new things slightly different to the examples so I don't assume others learn by repetiting the exact same stuff.

I am quite dyslexic so sometimes my written communication is confusing, to say the least. I'm trying to comment my code more as sometimes I try roundabout ways to get the effect I want, so there have been some head scratching moments when other people wanted to edit my code.

I can find noise very difficult to deal with. Ive often found our room too loud to interact with an individual or my group.

I try to speak quite openly and directly, but not in a harsh way. A balance that is can be hard to find and sometimes. I always mean well.

I do sometimes take over a conversation if there is a lot of silence or if I'm nervous. It takes a while for me to be comfortable in silence with people but when I get to that comfort level, I love it!!

I won't shy away from calling stuff out if I find them problematic. I can get overly defensive of other people. If I feel a friend is being taken advantage of, I find it hard to rein in my tenper. I try not to hold on to negativity but alas I fail at times.

I try keep in mind non-violent forms of communication. I want to feel respected, given space to voice my opinions and heard. I try to give that to other people too. I try to actively listen rather than wait my turn to speak. I do loose my social skill with I get hungry. The HANGER is real!

What I value:

• I prioritize people over projects because realistically the project will come and go but the people are here for much longer.

• Development and growth are two key things for me. I much prefer seeing people progress rather than getting things done super quickly with less learning. I find it aggravating though when one priorities their learning over everyone else without compromise or even discussion.

• I try to pick things that I am weak at to work on rather than stay in my comfort zone but it is a challenge.

What people misunderstand about me:

I actually have limited mental stamina. So if I'm hungry, tired or have to repeatedly do the same mental task. I can just flop and need to recharge. So I try and reserve that mental energy.

How I like to get my feedback:

I like solution based feedback, so if something is bad just start with how you would change it rather than how it is bad. I may not do it your way but I will definitely reconsider it.

I love when people back up their feedback with resources. I really appreciate written bullet points to refer back to.