Reflection #1: Beginning My Placement

1. Demonstrating responsibility is an important skill in life and work. Responsibility includes co-op
attendance, completing log sheets, using co-op time effectively, and following workplace rules
including dress code. Reflect on these important skills and how you feel you have demonstrated
responsibility at your placement.

Responsibility at co-op is crucial for success, and I have demonstrated many skills to make sure that I
can earn a great mark, while leaving a good impression of my character with my supervisor and other
colleagues at the firm. In regards to attendance, I have not been absent yet, and I was only late once due
to the HSR. Punctuality and attendance is very important, and it says a lot about your character. I want to
ensure that I am always on time or early to ensure I give the right first impression. I normally arrive ten
minutes early every day for co-op (12:50) barring the bus schedule goes smoothly. I ensure to stay my full
allotted time as well, being 4:00 PM. Most of the time, I am still there a few minutes after to ensure I
completed all tasks. I do not have a “break” given to me, but I am always allowed to take a minute or two
to grab some water or go to the bathroom. I ensure that the time is quick so I am ready to go straight back
to work.

I have been putting in a lot of effort to use my co-op time effectively. I never have my phone
physically on me, and I ensure that all use of work computers are work related only. I normally always
have something to do right until 4:00 PM, and I feel that the time is more enjoyable when I am busy. I also
learn so much more from actually doing something rather than not. If I have completed all given tasks, I
often ask my supervisors what else could be done, or I introduce myself to other employees in the office
and offer my services. Not only does this show my strong work ethic, but it also shows I enjoy taking
initiative.

Following workplace rules is crucial in the environment I am in being a law firm. If I were to disobey
any rules or requests, I could not only lose my co-op position, but I could also face legal troubles. I have to
make sure that I do not break any rules whatsoever in regards to confidentiality and usage of documents.
I would never risk losing my co-op position by breaking any rules they set out. If I have a question in
regards to confidentiality, I never hesitate to ask so I am not breaking any of the rules. All cases I explain
have to be mentioned as if they were hypothetical, and usage of any names or locations is not tolerated
under any circumstances. Following work rules should be a clear expectation of being a co-op student,
and I always ensure I am doing so.

Dress code is also very important in a law office. The dress code at Scarfone Hawkins LLP is “business
casual.” I was told to not think of it as “more formal casual clothing.” I was told to see it as “a step down
from formal wear.” I normally wear a dress shirt, tie, dress pants and dress shoes. Following this protocol
is similar to following regular workplace rules, as it should be a clear expectation. I have not had any
issues with dress code at co-op, and hopefully it stays that way. The one day I had the opportunity to see
a trial (that got adjourned), I wore a full suit to ensure that I am representing the firm in an appropriate
manor. Following proper dress code is important at co-op, and shows a high level of responsibility.

The only thing stopping me from having excellent responsibility skills are my log sheets. I have been
very busy, but there should be no excuse for not having them in on a timely manner. The reflections are
filled out and I am just waiting on signatures to have all in and caught up for next week. That does hinder
some of my responsibility skills, yet I have the ability to fix that and redeem myself.
2. It’s all about the attitude! How have you demonstrated initiative at your placement, be specific in
terms of self-motivation, self-direction, approaching new tasks with a positive attitude, and
showing interest to learn new tasks at your placement.

I believe that taking initiative is what separates a good worker from a great one. Someone who is
willing to put in the extra work even when nobody is watching is what you want in a strong workplace.
Taking initiative also gives a great first impression, and should give a long lasting one if it continues. I
strive to always take initiative at co-op whether it is asking what else I can do once I am done a certain
task, or approaching others who need assistance. When looking at self-motivation, I believe that it is
important that I continue to have that drive to do the work given to me. I always have a desire to learn
and succeed, so having strong self-motivation helps me a lot. Some instances where I have strong self-
motivation involve when I have to do a task I am not always interested in, such as filing. Filing is not my
favourite activity to be doing at co-op. However by doing a great job, it makes me appear like a better
worker, and I learn more from it as well. The more filing I do, the more I learn about the law and the cases
that are seen at the office. I try to go above and beyond by taking initiative when filing extra documents I
was not asked to file, and being motivated to do so.

Self-direction is crucial when assessing self-regulation and setting goals. My co-op has helped me
make the decision on whether civil litigation is the path I want to take. By seeing some of the jobs and
daily tasks the lawyers take, I am able to see if this is what I want to do in my life. Many of the lawyers and
assistants encourage me to go to different trials or motions in court. I am often given the opportunity on
what I want to see and what I want to learn. Since starting, I began to have an interest with class action
suits. One of the largest class actions seen at the firm involved the 407 ETR and was major case law seen
in front of the Supreme Court. Since I had an interest class actions, I decided to approach the lawyers who
specialize in it so I could learn about the process and differences. I took the initiative to enhance my
learning and form a new self-direction in something I was interested in. From there, I was given resources
to look at and some new files to organize in regards to class action. Taking initiative in this case was very
helpful to my learning.

Having a positive attitude at co-op is imperative. It not only makes the program more enjoyable, but
it gives a better impression of who you are as a worker. It shows that you have respect for your work and
the effort you are willing to put in. Having a positive attitude is a real form of taking initiative. I could go to
co-op every day and never talk, or even smile. However by making myself approachable and easy to talk
to, it makes me a better co-op student. One example of this just involves my first communication with my
colleagues when I enter the office. I always ask how their day is going and try to make conversation. At
the beginning, this was quite intimidating. However the assistants have reiterated that this is what the
lawyers want. They love having social relationships outside of their work. I try my best to take initiative
and greet my colleagues with a positive attitude. Nowhere does it say I have to do so. Yet I enjoy doing so,
and it makes me a better co-op student.

By showing interest in the tasks given to me, it shows the lawyers that I am ready to work and learn
at all time. When showing that I care, I am taking initiative by showing that I want to learn more than
what is expected of me. I am constantly asking questions about the cases on file, and certain terminology
that I do not know. By doing so, I am going beyond my expectations as a co-op student. I enjoy learning
new aspects of civil law and this is what I want to do when I grow up. By showing that I am interested will
give me further benefits in the long run.
3. Now think about how you manage our time while we are at our placement. Do you take
responsibility for your share of the workload? Do you manage your time effectively? What does
effective time management look like? Where is your phone when you are at co-op and how do you
handle the temptation of using it? How much supervision do you require while at co-op?

I always take responsibility for the share of my workload. As a student, I have certain roles and
responsibilities as a co-op student, and it is very important that I am accountable for my actions. When
something is asked to me, I ensure that I ask for clarification when unclear, and go straight to work. If I
make a mistake, it is on me. If I do not finish a certain task on time, it is on me. I recently had a scare when
the lawyers were meeting with a client, and they could not find a document I formatted. It was quickly
resolved, but I ensured that I took responsibility for this error. I should have properly saved it in the right
directory, and this should have never happened. The lawyers I was working with appreciated my honesty,
and everything was fine afterwards. I make sure that I do what I am assigned, and take responsibility for
all of my work and actions.

I am constantly trying to manage my time effectively. When I know what needs to be done when I
walk into co-op, I try to plan out how much time each task will take to complete. It is imperative that I am
realistic and accurate to my work ability. Near the end of my day, I plan what needs to be done for the
next day. I format a document that is hung by my desk that clearly outlines what needs to get done for
the next day. This helps me better prepare so I can focus on getting the work done, rather than planning
what to do or how long I need to do something. This saves a lot of time, and keeps me constantly
organized.

I see effective time management as having an effective plan to get work done. I believe that effective
time management is using your time wisely, and reaching all due dates assigned. If you are using your
time wisely, your main focus should be the work given. It is important to take breaks and have some food
or water and go to the bathroom if necessary. However staying on task is imperative for success. You
should be able to spend more time doing the work, then planning the work. By being efficient and
proactive, you are effectively using your time.

My phone is always powered off and away while I am at co-op. At times I have it on silence when I
know I could be receiving an important message, but I feel that it is important that it is out of sight.
Electronics should never be a distraction in any work environment. At co-op, I am there to work and learn.
It is blatantly disrespectful if I pull out my phone during that time. If I was actually employed or was at a
law firm when I’m older, I would never dare to pull out my phone. If anything, my co-op is great practice
for being in a professional environment once I am older. I feel more focused and determined when it is
away anyways. I handle the temptation of using it by putting it out of sight and turning it off. When my
phone is not in front of me, I can alleviate the temptation of using it. However if it is on my person, I
would most likely use it. By having it off and away, there is no chance that I will take it out and be
distracted.

I require little to no supervision while at co-op. Legally, I must have people around me at all times.
However when it comes to doing my work, I am able to do so without others accompanying me. For
example, I am often given my filing, I do it on my own, and then I meet back to ensure it was down
correctly. I am able to perform this task independently, just like many others that are assigned.
4. How do you demonstrate organization at your placement? How do you prioritize tasks given to you
by your co-op supervisor?

I try to demonstrate organization at my placement in a few different ways. I ensure that I have a clean
and organized work space. For example, I have main documents such as file lists hung up on the wall. All
of my supplies are all together and organized at my desk. I ensure that all of my court dates and
assignment due dates are posted on sticky notes under my computer to remind me as well. These small
things really help me to succeed. My desk can often be seen as the first impression for many who first
meet me. I want to come across as an organized person in order to build long-lasting connections at my
co-op. When organizing my day, the day before every co-op day, I quickly format a plan explaining what
needs to be done in order of time and priority. It takes about ten minutes to format, and it is really
helpful. It helps me actually do the work, rather than worrying about what needs to be done in the
moment.

I prioritize the tasks given to me by my co-op supervisor by asking what needs to be done, and asking
for clear due dates for the tasks given to me. I do my best to find out what work is most important, and go
from there. For example if something is due tomorrow, I will focus my time on that task, versus the one
due in two weeks. I build my schedule around these due dates to ensure that everything is handed in on
time or early. Just asking my supervisor what is most important is a good strategy in itself. I like to have
clarity when working and this helps a lot. Most of my deadlines are not very strict or short in notice, but it
is important I meet them.

5. Working with others. Do you accept various jobs and tasks willingly? Do you respond positively to
the opinions and ideas of others? Reflect on working with another individual or working as a team.
How would you assess your ability to collaborate?

Collaboration skills and working with others is very important when in a work environment. For me
specifically, I constantly am relying on my peers to ensure that I am doing my tasks properly. Whether it is
asking for clarification or working together, it is important to collaborate. I always accept various jobs and
tasks willingly. I enjoy staying busy, and I learn so much from doing different jobs. Not only is doing so a
great learning experience for me, but it also makes my supervisor and colleagues think higher of me. A lot
of these legal assistants have a lot of work to do, and if there is anything I can do (no matter how big or
small) I try my best to help. I want my peers to think highly of me, and I want to ensure I have great work
habits that I can use into the future. One example of this was in my third week. I had finished all tasks in a
pretty quick time, and had nothing to do. Since my main assistant was not in that day, I started
introducing myself around the office and offering my services. I was able to meet a lot of other
employees, and stay busy for the remaining time at co-op.
 I feel that it is imperative to respond positively to the opinions and ideas of others. The legal
assistants I am working amongst are very nice and are always willing to help me. I don’t think there has
ever been a time I have asked for help, and I was told no. Constructive criticism is one of the best tools to
have on your side and I take the opinions of my peers very seriously. At the end of the day, they have a lot
more experience than I do. One example of this occurring was when I was filing some documents. These
documents were emails between a lawyer and a client, and emails normally have a specific folder.
However, I had learned that those emails were not actual emails from the client, as they were client
documents that were to be used in the case. I listened to her and respected her idea/opinion due to the
fact that she knows what is right, and remembered that for when I saw similar documents. Overall, I have
been getting along with everyone in the office as they are all very nice and supportive to my learning.

A reflection I can make when working with another individual was when I was preparing letters to
send out to possible clients. I was working with an assistant who was printing the letters. From there, I
had to organize them and put the proper labels and envelopes together. I got along very well with the
assistant (Lisa) and we worked quite well together. Collaboration is an important skill to have, and I feel
that my ability to collaborate was great. I thoroughly communicated with the assistant, and asked for
clarification when needed. I believe I also believe that I worked at a reasonable speed. After reflecting on
this experience,

Overall, I would assess my ability to collaborate as being strong. I enjoy working with others and feel
that I have strong communication skills. When I have to get something done with an assistant, I am
confident that I can do so. If I need to ask questions or need clarification on a certain document or term I
do not know, I have no problem asking for help. I would rather work with others then work on my own.
My collaborative skills are strong.

6. Goal setting. What would you like to accomplish over the course of the semester? How would you
go about achieving that goal? Aim to make your goal SMART- Specific, measurable,
attainable(steps to achieve it) realistic, time-framed.

The goal I have for my co-op program is earning a job in the summer. This is a reasonable goal as
multiple high school co-op students have earned summer employment following their school program.
Seeing that Teana Vickers, a co-op student at the firm last year was able to achieve this goal. For me, it is
not about the pay. The experience is amazing, actually being employed in a corporate environment. I will
continue to learn in this environment, and I will be much more productive then being at home. How I plan
on going about achieving that goal is by working hard and showing what I can offer for the TMS team. By
showing that I can be an asset to the team while at co-op is my best strategy. I need to continuously show
the skills I stand by, such as strong work ethic and determination.
 SMART Goals Analysis

Specific:

• I am truly interested in summer employment

• Transportation would not be an issue

Measurable:

• Student employment is offered

• I have progressed over time at co-op

Attainable:

• Student employment is offered

• Many of my peers have mentioned that I would be great for summer employment

Steps:

1. Do my best to impress employers at my co-op program

2. Communicate my interest in summer employment
3. Continue to show the necessary skills
4. Commit if a position is offered

Realistic:

• Past co-op students have earned summer employment

• My skills and availability would make me a good fit
• My availability is great during the summer

Time-Framed

• My summer availability is great

• Hiring time for student employment is approaching
• My co-op would tie directly into employment if hired