CST462S: Learning Journal Reflections

This service learning course gave me the chance to dive deep into the topic of wildfire insurance in California. I learned how different groups like homeowners, insurers, tech companies, and government agencies all play a role in making wildfire insurance more accessible and effective. One thing that went well was our ability to gather and organize information into a market map and mission model canvas. These tools helped us better understand the system and communicate it clearly to our partner organization.

One challenge was staying on track with deadlines while working as a team. We had to communicate often and adjust our plans when something wasn’t working.

The most impactful part for me was realizing how complex but important this issue is. Insurance affects people’s ability to live in their homes, especially in high-risk areas, and I hadn’t thought about it much before. It made me appreciate how policy, technology, and community action all connect.

My advice to future students is to stay organized, ask for help when you're stuck, and don’t be afraid to simplify. It’s easy to get lost in research, but the goal is to make something useful. Also, make time for reflection. It helps you see what you’ve learned and why it matters.