30A--Final Reflection

1) Read through your posts from this semester. Recall all of the experiences you've had a long the way -- the highs, the lows -- the fun moments, and the moments of drudgery, and even the moments of dread.

While the assignments in this class are rarely difficult or terribly time-consuming, the volume makes them somewhat tedious.  I definitely experienced dread a few times, primarily because I have two jobs, one of which requires me to travel quite a bit on the weekends. This possibly abnormal occupational requirement was only an issue because the cupcakes were only open on the weekends and closed at NOON (really, Dr. Pryor?). But, I think the class was beneficial overall.  I did enjoy completing most of the assignments. All but a few were fairly insightful and thought-provoking.

2) What sticks out to you as the most formative experience? The experience that you'll remember years later? What was your most joyous experience? What experience are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?

Fleshing out dreams and aspirations, especially sharing them with other people was a great experience. I have more confidence in sharing my ideas, I was able to improve on a few ideas and business plans. I made a couple of professional contacts through this course, which may prove useful later on. My most joyous experience was taking the last cupcake. I absolutely hate those things.  I diligently watched every lecture and took thorough notes (or so I thought) but still managed to miss a question on nearly all of them. I'm proud that I only missed a couple of posts. I really enjoyed creating the posts and I think I will reflect on them in the future.

3) At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that I wanted each of you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Now, at the end, do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Do you think you have moved closer to developing an entrepreneurial mindset?

I have begun to differentiate my family's cattle operation and do think I am being entrepreneurial in some ways.  I think this course helped me grow my entrepreneurial spirit.  Dr. Pryor challenged me to push myself but more importantly my ideas.  It's one thing to smirk, thinking you have a great idea.  It's another to throw it out to the wolves of the Internet  and businessmen and women to hear how they perceive it. I think this class certainly provided that atmosphere as well as the incentives to throw myself out there.

4) What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future? What would you recommend they do to perform best in this course? What would you recommend they do to foster that mindset?

As Dr. Pryor recommended probably five times this semester, start EARLY!  Check dates often and stay ahead of schedule. There are few feelings like realizing you've started an involved assignment way too late.  Missing an assignment is truly a loss because you will never know how you would have really performed, what your capabilities are, or what you may have learned through completing it.

Once you have written your post, please include a picture (for illustration!).

I am looking forward to working cows and spending the last early mornings of December chasing ducks instead of doing assignments. Good luck to all of you on your finals!  Attack and conquer!