ENG311 Advice

Here are some Cliff's Notes for English 311

1. Image is everything.  You are advertising your brand everyday, act accordingly.

2. Learn to say more with less.

3. Communication in the workplace is crucial.  Verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic, we are always communicating and must be aware of what/how we are conveying that communication.

4. Although it is perfectly acceptable (and recommended) to be friends with your co-workers, always act in a professional manner while in the workplace.  You never know who is watching/listening.

Service Learning Skills

I think the most important skill that I have learned from the service learning project, as well as from English 311 in general is how to put a professional touch on all things work and volunteer related.  There are some very small touches that can be added to workplace documents that take them from causal to professional.  These touches are not necessarily cosmetic, many of them have to do with content.  The language that is used in everyday, casual documents is different than the language that should be used in workplace documents.  Furthermore, the structure should be designed in a way that allows more to be said with less.  The structure should also allow the point to be made quickly and pointedly.

Learning professionalism will serve me in my career in several ways.  First, being professional can build credibility with superiors and coworkers.  In addition, when submitting a document to a committee, or panel that you haven't met, the professional nature of that document can create a positive impression for you.  As I move forward in my academic career, I will have to write many papers and submit many documents.  Some will be informal, but most will likely need to be created with some professional formality  I suspect that my ability to create them with professionalism will increase each time.  Writing is a skill, and that skill needs to be practiced as does any skill that demands proficiency.  Professional touches are just another trick in the bag.

Service Learning Reflection

While working on the Service learning Project, I have found that I am able to provide professional services that are of use to not only our appointed organization, but various organizations.  The skills that I have acquired thus far in my college career, such as writing and critical thinking/analysis, are transferable to many different fields.  In addition, the Service learning Project has reinforced what I already knew about the importance of volunteering.  Non-Profit organizations aim to provide services for areas of the community that have been affected by unfortunate circumstances.  These organizations cannot afford to pay for the many professional services that are required to successfully operate a business.  Volunteering to help with these services can increase the quality and effectiveness of the organization's mission

While Midland is not my community per se, the characteristics and socioeconomic status associated with it can be found nearly every U.S. city.  There are people that need our help.  The idea of volunteerism should be as universal as its need.  

Team Definition Reflection

I am a member of a group that consists of Julie, Marissa, and myself.  During our initial collaboration and brainstorming session, I felt that the three of us operated well together.  We were respectful of each others ideas and all gave input in one way or another.  

If I had to identify a weakness, I would say that we were a little indecisive.  Each of us possesses leadership qualities, but we were being respectful to the point that no one stepped up to the plate and hammered out decisions.  This indecision is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to a small project.  Especially when the members are willing to do their share of the work.  On larger projects, however, indecision may prove to be a problem.  In which case it may be beneficial to appoint someone to make final decisions.

Both Julie, and Marissa, understand the importance collaboration in a group setting.  I think this was a strength that we all shared.  We had all worked in a group setting before, although not together, and have experienced bad group members.  No one wanted to be that guy.  Moreover, it was that previous experience that encouraged us to all work together in a civil fashion. 

 

Effective Page Design

Page design is important when it comes to professional documents.  The design is the first thing that a person notices when looking at a document.  Designs give an impression of the document before it is read.  A document that is clean and sharp exudes professionalism.  Documents that are bold and colorful  can give the come off as informal.  If the content of a document contains important information such as financial records or employee notices, it should not be designed like a birthday party flyer.  The design should complement the message that the author is trying to convey.

Furthermore, poor design could lead to the document being discarded before it is read.  The design of a document should draw people into it.  Designs should be appealing to the eye, not gaudy.  I think an individuals personality comes through when he or she designs anything.  Mood can be expressed via color, while attitude can be expressed through content.  Impression is an important concept when it comes to page design.  Even if the author doesn't intend to show his or her personality in a document, the readers of the document will make assumptions based on what they see.

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and has charged to the fore front of creating solutions for worldwide poverty.  Before becoming an established non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity was just a small concept that was being practiced by Clarence Jones and Millard and Linda Fuller on a small farm in Americus, Georgia.

They began building homes at no-profit, no interest, for people who disparately needed them.  Monies and supplies are raised and donated by supporters.  Any leftover monies and materials went toward the building of the future houses.

Today, through the collaboration of Habitat for Humanity, churches, and community groups, over 500,000 houses for over 1.5 million people in ninety countries worldwide.

In this service learning project, we are helping to spread the message and mission of Habitat for Humanity.  Relaying their message to the public creates awareness, and with awareness we can rally more support.  It is said that many hands make light work.  Respectively, Habitat for Humanity has been working with relatively few hands.  The services that the class is providing for Habitat for Humanity aims to bring more hands to to the work that is being done.

Collaboration Annotated Bibliography

 

Dubner, S. J. (2005, July 5). How Did This Collaboration Work? Retrieved from Freakonomics: http://www.freakonomics.com/2005/07/12/how-did-this-collaboration-work/

Stephen Dubnar talks about how he and fellow Freakonomics co-host Steven Levitt collaborate in order to provide an interesting look at some of life’s nuances that we take for granted.  Mr. Dubnar is a journalist, while Mr. Levitt, is an economist.  This article describes how the two blended their respective professions to create not only one, but two, best-selling books.

Eustice, K. (2012, October 20). Exploring student collaboration in schools - live chat. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/oct/20/student-collaboration-teachers-schools-live-chat

This article from The Guardian looks at how teachers and student are collaborating to make learning more effective.  I think this article poses an interesting question.  Do students learn more if they actively participate in the academic structuring of a classroom?

TED. (n.d.). Collaboration. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from TED: Ideas Worth Spreading: http://www.ted.com/talks/tags/name/collaboration/page/1

This is one of my favorite websites.  It contains brief and engaging speeches about a wide variety of topics.  Listed here are nearly sixty short, compelling talks on collaboration, filmed live at the TED Conference.  They feature experts from all industries, sharing their work in 18 minutes or less.

Service Learning Annotated Bibliography

Birdsal, J. A. (2003). Community Voice: Community Partners Reflect on Service Learning. Butte College, Career & Employment Services. Retrieved from http://www.mesacc.edu/other/engagement/Journal/Issue5/Birdsall.pdf

This report looks at the benefits of service learning.  It evaluates its effects on the community, organizations, and individual participants.  The report attempts to improve the service learning process through reflection and evaluation.

Cohen, S. W. (2013). Without Limits-National Youth Leadership Council. Denver. Retrieved from http://servicelearningconference.org/2013/

In March of 2013, there will be a National Service Learning Conference in Denver, CO.  The purpose of this conference is to help teachers, administrators, and students explore the benefits and social impacts that service learning can provide.  The message is that real change can come to fruition through service learning

Eby, J. W. (1998). Why Service-Learning Is Bad. Messiah College, Sociology. Retrieved from http://www.greatlakesed.net/Resources/documents/WhyServiceLearningIsBad.pdf

This report addresses how service learning, while generally beneficial, can give inadequate conceptions on needs and service.  Overall, service learning can only make an impact if it is practiced in a focused and efficient manner.

Mistretta, E. (2012, March 11). Service learning helps elementary students see ‘big picture’. Chicago Daily Herald. Retrieved from http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120311/news/703119898/?interstitial=1

This article in the Daily Herald focuses on a school district in Chicago that starts student on a path of service learning at an early age.  Students start as early as kindergarten by participating in food drives.  This continues into middle school, through high school, and ultimately for the rest of their adult lives.

Service Learning Experience

My initial understanding of the service learning project was that we would be providing a quasi-charity service for an organization within the community.  Now that we have progressed into the bulk of the service, I am beginning to see the benefits that we are providing for an organization whose main objective is to help others.  It is a circle of paying it forward.  The skills that we possess as a class are extremely valuable to an organization like Habitat for Humanity

I expected to do some work that would be of little significance.  I thought that our labor would do more to lighten the load of work that the organizations have.  After having a chance to review the organizations current documents, research their cause, and visit the ReStore, I see many ways that we can, and are, helping to project their cause into the lives of the people who need their help.

I was afraid the work we do would be rejected by the organizations that we were trying to help.  After seeing some of our finished products, it is obvious that we possess the skill set to create quality, professional documents.

Proposals

Proposal letters are used to address many forms of audiences.  The one thing that these audiences will have in common is that they will have some general authority over a procedure, project, plan. or situation.  The purpose of a proposal is to promote an agenda regarding the body of work that the audience has control over.  A strong proposal will be able to influence this audience to consider you or your suggestions for future implementation.  This could include improvements to a city park, reworking company safety policy for better efficiency, or higher quality meals from a school/university cafeteria. Anyone who submits a proposal to an audience must be ready to persuade that audience to buy into the content to his or her proposal.  Furthermore, a proposal should be adaptable for adjustments.  By this I mean that the proposal should have room for tweaking to the audiences specific needs before an agreement is made.  The proposal should be complete before it is submitted, however the submitter should anticipate potential changes that the audience may want to make at the last minute.

In 2009, two friends and I submitted a proposal to the Chesaning City Parks Committee.  Our proposal was unsolicited, and addressed the installation of an eighteen hole disc golf course in Showboat Park.  The course would be complete with  eighteen baskets with two placements for each hole, long and short tee boxes for each hole, and proper signage to aide navigation around the course.  Our proposal included a time frame, background information about the game, benefits for the local economy, and paperwork outlining the exact cost of material beforehand.  The labor would be provided by local clubs and the total project would be complete within two weeks.  In the end, our proposal was declined, and in 2011 the city installed a nine hole course without the guidance of experienced players.  Because the city decided to use its park maintenance crew instead of knowledgeable players, it remains the most underplayed and poorly designed course in Saginaw County.

In my personal opinion, our proposal was the ultimate proposal.  It had all the key elements of a successful proposal such as cost, time frame, economical impact, social impact, design, testimonial from other city park committees, and growth trends of the game itself.  In the end, I believe that our proposal was more than the committee was ready to hear.  Due to the fact that it was unsolicited, the city was not necessarily looking to expand on the functionality of its park.  Several years later, the idea had  found its way to the park's budget.  Unfortunately the installation was done in house.

Professional Language and Culture Annotated Bibliography II

lawschooladviceguy. (2011, November 8). Law School Advice 1: Is Law School Hard? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=lGmaeW3x6UI

In this video blog, Lawschooladviceguy talks about the difficulty of law school.  He doesn't drone on about the material or the amount of work that must be done.  Instead he talks about the differences between undergraduate study and law school study.  In particular he describes how undergraduate work involves regurgitation of information and affirmation of direction.  Whereas law school involves application of information and discerning the application on your own perception of right and wrong, this is often difficult for some students.

Legal, T. R. (2011, August 18). Welcome to Law School: The One Thing a New Student Needs to Know About Law School. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF13ATz-DBc

This video short contains a compilation of students, advisors, and professors giving advice and insight to L1 students.  The advice is often contradictory.  This suggests that everyone experiences law school differently.  However, there is a common theme expressed by all interviewees, and that is the importance of balance.

UVALawSchool. (2009, October 29). A Day in the Life of a 1L Student. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=risHT_ccvWM

Here we follow a L1 student for a day of class, studying, and recreation.  It gives a brief experience of what a prospective student may encounter while making his or her way through a regular day during a semester.

Professional Language and Culture Annotated Bibliography

Aldridge, A. (2012, September 6). A guide to surviving law school. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/sep/06/surviving-law-school-gdl-lpc-bptc

This article by Alex Aldridge provides a very general description of what law school is like, and what it will take to survive it.  I like the overview of this article and will use its contents as a basis for researching particular aspects of law school culture.

Kim, Y. (2011, June 30). Greater Implications of a Conformist, Competitive Law School Culture. Retrieved from Lexus Nexus: http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/lexishub/blogs/law_school/archive/2011/06/30/greater-implications-of-a-conformist-competitive-law-school-culture.aspx

Kim observes the universal style of thought that law schools produce.  He notes that there is a large emphasis on rhetoric and little encouragement for individualism.  He also writes about the endgame of law school.  Many students long to strive to land jobs at major law firms, and view any other outcome as worthless.  Even though graduating from law school in and of itself is a huge accomplishment, law students often feel that if you're not first, you're last.

Tellock, M., Awoyomi, T., Preston, K., & Church, D. (2010, March 25). What is the First Year of Law School Really Like? Private Thoughts on Public Policy. (J. S. Wilson, Interviewer) Retrieved from http://www.policydiary.com/2010/03/what-is-first-year-of-law-school-really.html

This is an interview of four law students who attend different law schools.  Each of the for is unique, and they all give their perspective on law school, their goals, and the evolution of their expectations. 

Professional Language and Culture Strategy

There are a couple of strategies for that can help ensure effective communication and appropriate language choices in the workplace.  Every profession has its own culture and language, and it is important to familiarize  oneself with each as soon as possible.

With that being said,  the first step to becoming familiar with workplace culture is to research the company that you intend to work for.  Review the company's webpage.  Read any publications that pertain to, or stem from the organization that you have in mind.  Doing these things will not only give you a perception of what to expect, but it will also give you a frame of reference for step two.

Step two of the basic strategies involves interviewing.  Seek out current employees if possible, and pick their brains about what it is like to work for that company.  Do they like their job?  Do they feel at ease in the workplace?  Are the company's rules strict or lax?  Does management say one thing but mean another?  These are questions that can provide solid insight into the culture of an organization.  You may also want to inquire about anything that raised your eyebrow during the research you did in step one.  As an extension of this step, I would also attempt to seek out employees that no longer work for the company.  Retirees and other alike.  Find someone who quit and find out why.  Were they treated unfairly?  What made them want to leave?  Talk to retirees if possible.  Find out if the company is talking care of them, or at the very least checking up on their welfare.

All this is an attempt to access the unique characteristics of a company.  Once you arrive in the workplace.  Keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.  Try to assimilate with coworkers.  Go with the flow at first.  If coworkers see you as easy going, they will open up to you about the tricks of the trade.  If you seem stern, coworkers may let you fend for yourself.  Even if you seem easy going, you might have to fend for yourself.  Being stern will make that a certainty.

Managing Professional Imagery Online

When looking to maintain a professional online image, there is no better place to start than with image.  Having a picture or logo that is clean and respectable can provide more than just a visual representation.  Anyone who has put together a Power Point presentation may know that you can say quite a bit without speaking, or writing, a word.  If we are talking about a head-shot,  there is no way you can go wrong with a clean shirt (sans slogan) and a smile.  In regards to a logo, I would discourage using messy lettering (i.e. Old English or Tribal designs) unless that style directly relates to the business or organization.  Use a color scheme that is attractive with good contrast.  Color can be associated with moods and attitude, so think about the attitude of prospective employers, customers, and clients.

If you or your company are going to be active on social media, you will need to think about behavior.  In some situations when using a computer, people will speak their opinions more openly as opposed to when they are in the company of a live audience.  As I have previously stated, information that you would not want broadcast over a public intercom should be kept off the internet.  Social media is not the equivalent  of a private journal.  Content should reflect that.

The internet is a full-blown business environment.  Treat it as such.  Apply the etiquette that you would use in the board room to the chat room.  Be respectful on message boards, just as you would if you were interacting  in person.  Avoid sarcasm or other language that is open to interpretation.  People who are attempting to maintain professionalism should also avoid being lured into unintelligent debate.  If someone is going to address you in a foul manner, do not engage them.  Set a standard for yourself and others and keep to it.  You are only as good as those you surround yourself with. 

Annotated Research List IV

Cain, S. (2012, August 25). Our Efficient & Effective Website Design Process. Retrieved from Epic Web Solutions: http://www.epicwebaz.com/blog/our-efficient-effective-website-design-process/

This website lays out a process that could be followed while creating a page built for mass consumption.  The website walks you through seven different phases of page creation.  Basically holding you hand from start to finish.  While it is not necessary to follow these phases exactly as written, they can serve as guidelines for you own prefered method.

Sherson, G. W. (2002). Principles of Effective Web Design. Learning for eLearning Talkfest.

This report talks about the importance of effective web creation.  Current idea and procedures are analyzed and discussed to provide a thorough knowledge of web creation.  Before you can create effective pages, you need to know why you are doing so.

Snell, S. (2009, February 3). Clear And Effective Communication In Web Design. Smashing Magazine.

This websites discusses the challenges and solutions related to effective web page creation.  It emphasizes the need for information to be brief but clear, informing but not boring.  You want to maximize the options that your users will have but not overwhelm them with data.

Social Media Connections

Twitter
https://twitter.com/wood0130

LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jacob-wood/63/927/612

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/henry.coal.7

The Do's and Don'ts of Social Media

There is a general question that encompasses proper online behavior, and is a great test for content that you may be thinking about submitting.  Before you post or add anything to your favorite social media sit, ask yourself, "Would I be comfortable tell or showing this to an auditorium full of thousands of people?"  Answers to this question will differ for every individual and all content.  I recommend this test if you are ever unsure because it may save you some embarrassment.

Aside from filtering your posted content, below are some do's and don'ts about online behavior.

Do

• Keep tabs on yourself by regularly searching for yourself on the internet.  See what others can see about you
• Treat your emails as if they are professional correspondence.  Getting in the habit of short-handing an email could become a tough habit to break
• Only use work computers for work related activities.  Since they are the property of the company, the company may monitor your activity
• Be engaging, while being respectful
• Manage your privacy settings
• Proofread before you post

Don't

• Don't share everything -  It is perfectly fine to keep somethings private 
• Refrain from using inside jokes or sarcasm
• Broadcast your opinions about controversial topics or issues
• Spam colleagues 
• Don't feel as if you must be friends with everyone- it is ok to be picky
• Don't mix personal life with business life 

Annotated Research List III

Council, N. Z. (2011, March). Professionalism and the use of social media. Retrieved from The University of Auckland: http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/for/current-students/facilities-and-resources/social-media-guidelines

This is a list of practical guidelines and expectations for online behavior while maintaining ones professionalism.  Seven steps outline the basic do's and don'ts of online behavior.  For some, these rules may be common sense.   If you are new to social media, these steps could be life savers.

Sr, J. W. (2012, August 1). Professionalism in the Use of Social Media. Retrieved from American Medical Association: http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/code-medical-ethics/9124a.pdf

The AMA outlines its rules for professional online behavior.  As a medical professional, it is important to build relationships with patients.  However, these relationships must remain in the workplace and not carry-over outside the office.  Furthermore, a medical professional may come across information about their patients that they are not privy to.

University of Massachusetts Medical School. (n.d.). GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR. Retrieved from University of Massachusetts Medical School: www.umassmed.edu/uploadedfiles/Professionalism.pdf

UMass Medical School lays out ideas about professional behavior that are expected in the workplace.  While they are not directly intended to address online activity, some of the expectations about attitude and interaction are certainly transferrable. 

Annotated Research List II

FORBESWOMAN. (2012, February 14). The First Step To Building Your Personal Brand. Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/02/14/the-first-step-to-building-your-personal-brand/

A thorough review of the purpose and implications on maintaining a positive online image.  Forbes not only looks at why it is important to create the image you want, but who you are trying to reach.  What audience will respond to your marketing and how can this be controlled?.

Holbrook, J. (2011, November 9). How to Brand and Promote Yourself Online. Retrieved from The Business of Broadband: http://www.zcorum.com/how-to-brand-and-promote-yourself-online-part-one/

This site deals more with image and purpose.  What image do we want to convey and how can we effectively do that.  Color scheme, domain names, and avatars are all addressed.  All of these points are important in drawing and retaining attention to a brand

Schawbel, D. (2009, February 5). Personal Branding 101: How to Discover and Create Your Brand. Retrieved from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/

This site explains why online image is important today and briefly outlines ten ways to manage our online identities.  It covers all social media sites and how we should go about using them to our advantage in creating a positive brand.

The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post is a news website that has built an identity as a youthful,active, weblog that was created in response to websites such as The Drudge Report.  Through its early years, The Huffington Post's identity dealt mainly with perspectives and agendas that were liberal/leftist.  Although this website is far from center, The Huffington Post has become far less bias since it was acquired by AOL.  The website has since tried to move beyond left-right partisanship and bring truthful, revealing coverage of issues that should be of interest to  the social-media generation.  Rather than presenting predictable thought processes about issues that are important to a particular demographic, The Huffington Post strives to present issues that are important to the progress of humanity and pertinent to the unification of the population.

The "brand" presented by The Huffington Post is new, fresh, and hip.  There is an air of sophistication about this website that makes it more desirable than others.  It has an attitude that makes you feel like they know something you don't.  It is the "cool uncle" of other news sites that rehash traditional rhetoric and I believe this is what helps the site to attract its audience.  This "cool uncle" image should not and does not detract from the quality of content that is published by the site.  It does, however, present an image of new excitement, which helps attract interest in the issues that are covered.

Overall, I would say the this news site advocates change.  It encourages its readers to lead active lives and to   have a hand in shaping the world around them.  The language used and the stories covered are crafted in such a way that the readers comes away with a sense of duty.  To care about an issue and take a stance, one way or the other, and I feel they are quite effective in this.

The only fault that I find with The Huffington Post is its lack of bipartisanship.  While leftist/liberals are criticized from time to time and the site has moved more center since its purchase by AOL; it still remains a forum for liberal commentary.  The Huffington Post should continue to report on issues that merit attention, but make arguments based in logic rather than partisanship.