Taine Buchan Blog

Explain a situation where you have made an ethical decision.

I guess if I'm completely honest being in advertising for three years raised ethical concerns for me, working for businesses whose ethos goes against mine. It wasn't the sole reason I left but it played a part in my decision to explore a different career path.

Describe how your culture and the people around you have influenced your values and identity.

Growing up in a lower/middle-class suburb of West Auckland, I developed a unique perspective that shaped my identity. When it was time to start high school, my dad enrolled me in a public school in central Auckland. the unfamiliar environment and long commute were daunting, and I had no friends. But over time, I found value in the differences that once made me feel out of place.

My background became a source of strength, teaching me resilience and deepening my appreciation for my roots. These experiences shaped my identity, enabling me to connect with diverse people and embrace the richness of every community I join.

Identify your strengths and how they will support you during your learning journey.

My persistence and creativity are my key strengths that will support me during my learning journey. My persistence ensures that I stay focused and motivated, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. My creativity allows me to think outside the box, find innovative solutions, and approach problems from different angles

Evaluate your limitations in terms of your learning and career development.

A limitation in my learning and career development is my tendency to overthink concepts, which can slow my progress. I also struggle with complex or abstract ideas, particularly those requiring deep logical understanding. While I'm passionate about design, I sometimes lack confidence in coding and technical skills, which makes me hesitant to tackle more challenging projects.

Share an example of when you were trying to work productively with others, but there was resistance or tension.

My creative director at my old job liked to keep things family-friendly and safe, while I wanted to push the envelope with riskier ideas. It created some tension as I tried to come up with concepts that still fit the client's expectations. It was tough to balance creativity with getting approval, but over time, I figured out how to tweak my approach, communicate better, and still keep my ideas fresh.

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