Alejandro Perez - Group 01 - Blog 02

Reflection 2

By Alejandro Perez



Introduction

        Last week our class wrapped up three chapter presentations for SPC1017. Each group was handed a different topic at random, and I served as the project manager for Group 01 while other groups were led by their own managers under the guidance of our instructor. That setup meant we all had to lean on teamwork, clear deadlines, and open communication to pull our presentations together. Listening to classmates explain complex ideas in their own voices made the material stick far better than any single lecture ever could. It felt a bit like running alongside each other in a relay race, passing ideas, offering support, and keeping the pace until the finish line. Below I share what I enjoyed, what I learned, and what stuck with me from each group’s session.


Group 01: Economics of Education

        As Group 01’s project manager I divided the work so everyone had ownership, but I also left enough flexibility for individual creativity. Charles handled our theory slides on human capital and returns on investment, and he completed his section early and with perfect polish. Celine took charge of defining our key terms and designing the brochure, and she also finished ahead of schedule with visuals that really made our message pop. 
Alicia dug into the U.S. data, graduation rates, spending gaps, and the digital homework divide, and she gave us clear, digestible numbers without drowning us in statistics. Anthony and Alex led our agency interviews, and I was impressed with how seamlessly they wove those conversations into the narrative so the slides felt alive instead of just a list of bullet points. I think our tight structure combined with each person’s unique flair struck the right balance. It reminded me of running a small newsroom on deadline, group chat reminders, friendly nudges, and the occasional joke all kept our momentum strong. I hope our presentation showed why investing in education fuels economic growth and highlighted the real organizations doing that work today.




Group 02: Mental Health & Social Life

        I found Group 02’s presentation interesting for the way they connected mental health trends and social life patterns. They traced how stigma around seeking help has decreased in some communities even as digital isolation has risen, especially during the pandemic. Their overview of state and local programs felt thorough but didn’t get bogged down in bureaucratic jargon. What stood out was their practical focus on campus initiatives, peer support groups, short mindfulness sessions between classes, and student‐led social events, that seemed both creative and doable. I hope their ideas spark more conversation about how Miami Dade College can foster better well-being through small but meaningful interventions.


Group 03: Family & Career Paths

        In the third presentation I thought their exploration of family expectations versus personal ambitions was especially compelling. They used case studies to illustrate “inherited dreams,” like following a parent into the family business, alongside “authentic aspirations,” such as pursuing an unexpected creative career. Their examples, from engineering stereotypes to cultural pressures in creative fields, felt grounded in real student experiences. I enjoyed how they highlighted both the benefits of strong family support and the stress that can come with high expectations.
Their recommendations for expanded paid internships and more accessible career workshops seemed practical, and I hope they encourage our college to explore those options further.


Conclusion

        Looking back on all three sessions I’m struck by how our class used research, interviews, and storytelling to bring these types of topics to life. Group 01 showed that hard data and real-world agency insights can make the link between funding and learning feel tangible. Group 02 reminded us that mental health and social connection are pillars of happiness that deserve practical, campus-friendly solutions. Group 03 demonstrated the powerful influence of family narratives on career choices and underscored the need for hands-on career guidance. As the project manager of Group 01 I learned that clear roles, early deadlines, and positive reinforcement keep a team on track without feeling micromanaged. Above all, we saw that communication is a layered skill requiring listening, creativity, and good timing. I look forward to carrying these lessons into our next assignment, and I’m already considering stepping up as a manager again, though I’ll double-check that every puzzle piece is in place before committing.

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