A unitasker can refer to an object designed for a specific function or a person who only completes one task at a time. While some view unitaskers unfavorably, they can be effective. In the kitchen, multitasking tools are preferred due to limited space. Being a unitasker as a person isn’t necessarily bad, but it may not fit with modern workplaces. Those who prefer unitasking should make their work style clear in job interviews and create a program structure that works for them in school.
The term “unitasker” is used in two different ways. In the first sense, it refers to an object with a function, such as a rice cooker. It is also sometimes used in reference to people, as a description for someone who only completes one task at a time. Some people view Unitaskers unfavorably in certain situations, be they objects or people, with the implication that the ability to multitask is vital.
In the sense of an object, a unitasker is designed to perform a very specific function, and is typically incapable of doing anything else. Ideally, engineers design the thing to be extremely good at what it does. A waffle iron, for example, may only be used to make waffles, but it tends to produce waffles extremely effectively, justifying its existence as a unitasker. Other items as varied as saddles and soap dishes can also be considered unitaskers.
Most people are more exception to Unitaskers in the kitchen than anywhere else. This is because space in the kitchen is typically limited and a unitasker takes up more space than an item that can perform multiple functions. For example, a lemon grater is only really useful for removing the zest from citrus fruits, while a coarse grater, such as a Microplane® grater, can shred citrus fruits and grate a variety of other things, from chocolate to cheese, making cooking more effective tool. This is especially true with unitasking appliances, which can quickly take up space in a busy kitchen.
In a person’s sense, being a Unitasker isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. Many people have very different ways of working and some people prefer to work on one thing at a time. This doesn’t necessarily make them any less efficient, as the ability to focus on one task at a time can allow someone to complete the task extremely effectively and in a reasonably short amount of time. Unfortunately for many people with a unit bent, many modern schools and workplaces lean towards multitasking, which can make life extremely frustrating.
If you happen to prefer unitasking, you may want to avoid job postings for things like “fast-paced work jobs,” and you may want to make your work style explicitly clear in job interviews, especially if you have excellent references indicating that your unitasking nature is an asset to the workplace. You might even reference them on resumes with comments indicating that you have an “eye for detail” that underscores the positives of being a Unitasker. In a school setting, try to create a program structure that works well for you, and don’t be afraid to ask staff and instructors for help.
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