Reflective Essay

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Reflective Essay

My second experience was educative and intriguing because I had the opportunity to engage with one of the most successful and unique companies in the construction industry. The location of service was Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies. The organization supplies a range of affordable and reclaimed building supplies. An essential component of the company is their dedication to building a sustainable community where all its members can use and redistribute resources as is necessary. Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies has invested 80 million pounds of usable building materials from landfills. There were three groups each constituting six to eight people. We also visited Stardust Mesa, where we volunteered our services.

In order to build efficiency, each of the three groups had specific tasks. The first group was required to paint a wall and hang some pictures. The second group worked with drawers and lights. The group members were required to organize and clean the shelves and put everything in its place. They had to throw the old and broken products. My group, which was the third group, had to organize the tiles area, and so we had to be very careful not to break any item. The tiles were very heavy, and they made the work difficult. We were also required to relocate the heavy material such as closets, dressers, and doors so that customers would walk in and out freely.

            My experience in Polytechnic Date Palm Harvest is entirely different from Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies in several ways. My first experience exposed me to rare species of date palm plants and the methods used to grow them. The process was exciting and educative because I was able to understand the connection between date palm plants and coffee plants. On the contrary, my experience in Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies was labor intensive because it involved cleaning or heavy lifting. Similarly, there were limited activities that one would do, therefore restricting exploration and diversity learning.

            First experiences are challenging and require patience in order to emerge successful. However, they prepare a person for any upcoming tasks and ensure that they design and follow appropriate methods geared towards meeting the objectives. Therefore, after my first experience, I discovered that I was more prepared to handle any challenges. For instance, I was aware of the differences in values, opinions, and beliefs that my group members held, making me more perceptive to their approaches on the issued tasks. Additionally, I was prepared to learn about Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies and their management approaches in a busy and intensive market.

            Knowing my role ahead of time was useful in ensuring that I was mentally prepared to face any challenges. Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies operates two building supply centers for home improvement. The first department sells gently used, salvaged, and surplus materials, and the other center provides deconstruction services that refurbish construction materials, redirect waste from landfills, and ensure sustainability in the community. Understanding my role in each of the two centers was instrumental in propelling the transition phase and ensuring that I was aware of the imminent challenges.

            While I was serving, I felt confident in my role in the group because it exposed me to various people and experiences. Tiles are very delicate and require some precision in order to ascertain their safety. The designs of the tiles, closets, dressers, and doors were unique, and I had some few questions regarding their manufacture. I must admit that I have been interested in decorations. However, Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies used unique material that would appeal to any of their customers. Additionally, I was confident in the mission and vision of the company geared toward sustainability.

            During service, we were able to complete most of the tasks early and take scheduled 10-minute breaks before beginning cleaning the lanes. The host was accommodating and was often checking on us if we needed any assistance while working. Furthermore, we got to enjoy some cupcakes, and the fellow students were helpful and cooperative. In order to make the experience more comfortable, I think that we should have separated the tiles further into smaller segments because they were very heavy. Although by the end of the service most people felt like they had worked hard, they were exhausted.

            Engaging in the services gave me an opportunity to achieve some of the SDGs such as decent work and economic development, industry innovation and infrastructure, and responsible consumption and production. Through the sale of gently used, retrieved, and auxiliary building materials at affordable prices, I assisted people to use safe materials in their construction. The strategy drives economic development because people can access local goods at a significantly lower price. Additionally, I was proud to be associated with a service that creates innovative opportunities for industrialists and the employees.

            I believe that it is useful for a course such as this to require service experiences to help students understand the way SDGs work, and what it takes to accomplish the goals of these organizations across the globe. The service changed my perspective on non-profit organizations and expanded my affinity towards recycling.