Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Web POrtfolio
During the last conference meeting, I was asked what I want to provide the audience with when they view my online portfolio, and how I would like to present that material. This is a very important question and one I have taken a lot of time to consider. Audience's understanding and perception of my information and examples can be impacted by the way the material is laid out.
I need to start with a background that is something I like, that perhaps even reflects something about my individuality or personal taste even, but that doesn't distract or overwhelm the reader. Then I will post a general reflection of my experience and my goals and organize links to take the users to specific examples of what my reflection is talking about, like the editing I learned to do, the research, and the writing. I want to always have my name and email address visible to the audience so that it does not go overlooked and is easily accessed.
I need to start with a background that is something I like, that perhaps even reflects something about my individuality or personal taste even, but that doesn't distract or overwhelm the reader. Then I will post a general reflection of my experience and my goals and organize links to take the users to specific examples of what my reflection is talking about, like the editing I learned to do, the research, and the writing. I want to always have my name and email address visible to the audience so that it does not go overlooked and is easily accessed.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Poster fair
The PWE Capstone class poster fair was a great success, it was interesting to see everyone else's work experience. All of my supervisors came which was very nice, I got to finally introduce Dr. Wible to Sandra, Mark, and the Director here at the NESC. I hope that other PWE 491A Capstone students have the pleasure of interning here again in semesters to follow.
Lately I have been realizing the importance of understanding your audience. The things I had learned during English 301 have been reappearing more frequently; ethos, pathos... My last assignment REALLY emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience- I am to read over materials that all relate to an article Sandra is writing for "The Water We Drink" on the topic of WARN--Water/Wasewater Agency Response Networks.
I am to read the documents and come up with some questions that I might have about WARN if I were a small community official, like a mayor, council member, or water board member who had oversight responsibility for the water or wastewater utility.
One of the challenges with WARN is convincing these local officials to support their water/ww utility's membership in WARN. For example, some utilities might not be able to join unless their local leaders know about WARN, clearly understand the benefits of joining and what's expected. So, if I were one of those officials, what would I want to know about WARN? The more questions I come up with the better, they will help shape the focus and direction of the article for Sandra.
One of the documents is an article by our editor/writer Natalie "Being Prepared Before the Next Disaster Strikes." It's a great article and Sandra will probably borrow some of the info from it, but our focus will be on convincing the local official to take action, (1) getting them to engage their water/ww utility staff and discuss WARN, (2) facilitating and supporting the utility's involvement in WARN.
I have to be extremely well versed in the content of these materials and really put myself in the shoes of some that this may effect. It is a fun exercise that will definitely help focus the purpose of Sandra's writing.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Revisiting Expectations
When I began my internship experience, I anticipated becoming a stronger, more confident, more experienced, better writer. I called upon my existing strengths as a writer, worker, and editor, and jumped into the field. The work I have completed has taken me more time than originally thought, but this is because I wanted it to be as good as it could be. I have had help and support from both of my advisors along with everyone in this office providing feedback and tips. The items I have completed were made better with help from these associates, and without them, the articles probably could not have reached a level of expertise. My strengths in strict punctuality and staying focused have allowed me to accomplish my work in time for deadlines, and have helped maintain a healthy work relationship and atmosphere. Also, persistently revising and submitting my work for review has helped my writing improve vastly. I see how the changes suggested betters the writing, and I have grown more confident through learning from my mistakes. It is very fortunate that this class offers me an opportunity to get a real feel for that a career in this field is actually like, I have learned so much not only about professional writing and editing, but also how to be a professional in the workplace. My electronic portfolio will certainly contain statements that directly reflect my experience during my internship. This exercise has resulted in my reflecting on everything I have learned this semester through my internship, and has brought forth realizations of my improvements as a writer. I now know how to write several different forms of writing, from articles to promotional letters. Also, my experience here has increased my experience with comprehensive editing as well as heightened my skills as a team member.
Interesting Notes
This week has been exciting for me at work because it is the first time I have been assigned shorter works and works that are collaborative and non-article. I revised my version of the promotional letter to the National League of Cities on Wednesday and submitted it to Sandra Fallon. The changes I made were not drastic, but made a significant change. The attention-getting fact was moved to the second paragraph in the somewhat short letter, and the thank you was moved to the first line of the letter. This created a better flow, and maintained a clear purpose/objective for the reader to identify while reading it. I added an incentive for the reader to take advantage of the information my letter was offering- to not only visit our new website but to use the free downloadable sources found on it- to increase the chances that my letter will promote our web traffic. The incentive was that I mentioned several other state affiliates that have used, and profited from, our website. I think that knowing others have benefitted from our services that the National League of Cities will be more inclined to do the same.
The other project of the week is a collaborative effort to edit/review all of the materials that are going into our Spring/Summer 2010 issue of On Tap. There will be about 7 different articles in this season's issue, and all are compiled before me to read over for review. This same task is being undertaken by 4 others- editors, writers, supervisors- a group effort to create the best possible work. This is fun for me, and challenging also. Some articles are specifically intended for experts in areas, such as equations for water system staff members. The material goes beyond my knowledge of what would be incorrect, but luckily trained professionals have already perfected those aspects of the article. Mostly I catch grammatical, format, or spelling errors, which is going well.
On another note, my internship is going very well. My time here is running out, and I will be very sad to leave the National Environmental Services Center staff who have been very kind and helpful to me. Also interesting is that the janitor recently provided me with my own trash can, I wonder if people notice I throw things out often...?
The other project of the week is a collaborative effort to edit/review all of the materials that are going into our Spring/Summer 2010 issue of On Tap. There will be about 7 different articles in this season's issue, and all are compiled before me to read over for review. This same task is being undertaken by 4 others- editors, writers, supervisors- a group effort to create the best possible work. This is fun for me, and challenging also. Some articles are specifically intended for experts in areas, such as equations for water system staff members. The material goes beyond my knowledge of what would be incorrect, but luckily trained professionals have already perfected those aspects of the article. Mostly I catch grammatical, format, or spelling errors, which is going well.
On another note, my internship is going very well. My time here is running out, and I will be very sad to leave the National Environmental Services Center staff who have been very kind and helpful to me. Also interesting is that the janitor recently provided me with my own trash can, I wonder if people notice I throw things out often...?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I realized today that I have 70 of the required 180 hours completed to fulfill the capstone internship experience. That puts me halfway through, appropriately, as it is now mid semester. Today I emailed the Aquatic Manager of the Student Rec Center at WVU, Sandra Peppin, about questions I had pertaining to pool water content and contamination corrective procedures. I need her expert responses to add to my article about pool water, as they will help my readers with their own pool issues. I also asked Ms. Peppin what the national or local requirements for pool water content are and if they vary from state to state, or county to county.
Today I want to begin a draft of a promotional letter, the assignment Sandra here at the NESC has given me. I am very anxious/excited about this, it will be a unique and challenging opportunity. I must get the reader's attention, but not overwhelm them. The Water We Drink promo letters must hook different and new audiences more effectively than in the past. I need to identify and prepare for my audiences, and separate letters go to NACo, NATaT, and NLC. I must encourage readers to check out further resources and especially use of current articles.
I was considering using the option we have in class to meet with our classmates and discuss ways to write things required of us during our internships. Collaborating with my fellow peers may help me gain perspective on this assignment and would definitely help the NESC in accomplishing their goals. Communication is critical through these promo letters, we really want feedback from their receivers. We no longer want to preach to the choir, we need to access new audiences.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Shots Fired
Today was a really good day at work. I arrived on time of course and immediately got to work on the pool water safety article, which still has no title. Before I finished the last paragraph though, one of my supervisors told me about a meeting about violence in the work place. The presentation was for the entire NRCCE building, many faces I had never before seen were present. Jokes were already being made about the topic, but there were some serious warning in the video and from the campus police officer who spoke. Hilarious was when the officer told the audience he had an explosive canine, as in a k-9 police dog who could smell dynamite, not one that explodes ha. The video just wanted employees of offices to be aware that that kind of thing occurs, although as often and lightning striking a person, but does occur, and to be calm, get away, or take out the attacker. Pretty serious stuff. So after that I finally completed the pool article! It needs to revisions I am sure, and I am waiting to hear if it needs to be shorter, or longer. Already I have begun looking at the most recent assignment I received Friday from Sandra, letters I need to write and format to interested businesses about what we do at the NESC. Also, we are requesting feedback on the materials we give them to use. Going in again in Wed and will be more descriptive about that assignment. Then there is also the kids article about water I need to pick back up on. They keep me busy over there!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Water!
I received another writing assignment today, writing a promotional letter. A big issue for NESC is reaching out and preaching beyond the choir. How do we hook different and new audiences more effectively than in the past? The best way is to know your audience, offer them reasons why the should keep reading, and furthermore, why they should take action- how they would benefit. I am wondering how to set up this letter- should I immediately jump into benefits or should I start with interesting facts? Also I need to encourage the use of current articles and online resources. It is important people start taking water sources seriously, we take for granted having incoming and outgoing water supplies in our houses- imagine if we didn't have operators and sewage treatment facilities. The way we dispose of pharmaceuticals, waste, and other potentially harmful products needs to be more efficient and careful, we do not know the effect it will have on our current water supply or our future. I need to research techniques for drawing people into what message you are trying to convey. I a excited about this new task, and still need to finish and polish the article I have been working on about pool water. It would be a good idea to maybe utilize the option of meeting with my fellow classmates on some of the writing I am doing and get some opinions and feedback. There would probably be a wealth of suggestions and ideas there that would be really helpful.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A day in the life!
I have been working at the NESC for 3 or 4 weeks now and I really like it. I like the people I work with, I like observing their work routines (Fridays are casual and lunch is earlier) and working around all this snow has been challenging. I had my first meeting with my advisors (Mark and Sandra) and my editor for the Pool Water article (Natalie) to make sure I am on track. We decided to focus on the one article at a time, I am to complete the pool water safety article by the end of the month so that it makes the Spring newsletter- just in time for prime pool season. Both of the articles were coming along nicely, but I am glad I can focus on one at a time now, I kept interrupting myself to get the other caught up. I arrived a little earlier than usual today because I want to make sure i get in my hours in case this snow gets heavier, which is likely. I am seriously considering including a piece in the article that suggests a warning to children that is really effective for maintaining clean, safe pool water. When I was young my uncle told my cousins and I that if we peed in the pool water it would turn bright kool-aid colors! My editor told me she has used this technique during her son's birthday parties in their home pool.I definitely believed my uncle and formed a healthy habit of evacuating the pool for such needs, and believe this method is useful, so somewhere in the article I will mention it.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day 1
I have my own desk, computer, and cubicle at the National Environmental Services Center now! We have decided that I will come in twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-3, and very flexible with Mondays and which hours. I have received my first assignment- two actually. Two articles which is very exciting for me! The first will inform readers about fun ways to educate children, grades k-12, about water, it will list sources on how to do so and reasons why it would be great to teach children about our water. The second article is about pool water safety- what is in that water, what are the dangers, what to look for, how to avoid or solve issues that may arise. Especially with the spring season approaching, this one will be very important. My writing needs to be oriented toward an audience ranging from Ph. D.'s to partial high school educations, and so one of my advisors recommended I aim for a 12 grade-capable reader. The language I use should be easy to read, to the point, and interesting. Today I researched some topics and people to contact, and Friday I plan on creating a very generalized outline of what, ideally, I will have. It is difficult working on two at once, but I will chose one to work on first, or break my days up equally dedicated to both. After more research I will know more about each and then decide which path to take.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Relationships in the workplace
Kendra Potts "My Entry-Level Life" was amusing and very reminiscent of real life. She mentions that her job has been referred to as a "glorified typist" and that very few people in her workplace know what exactly her job is. Her descriptions of colleagues are funny and typical "The Office" material. Potts refers to the workplace totem poll and those located on it. The internship experience in D. Kathleen Stitt's writing was a very informative reflection on how non-verbal behavior can affect an intern's progress. The advice found there to be assertive and non-complacent was a good reminder, and to handle your student life as you would your professional life was interesting also. It is always best to be non-disruptive and respectful, but to stand up when something is wrong and communicate effectively.
What Interns Should Know
It is true, not very often is information on appropriate interaction between intern and workplace found in books or in technical communication.It is important for the student to pick up on informal rules and methods of doing things, without doing so, the student may not get the full experience, or worse, have a terrible experience. It seems to me that even the most academically prepared student who doesn't possess good social skills or nonverbal skills would be doomed for failure. It is like visiting a foreign country and learning how to blend in, learning mannerisms and customs. I have made a point to observe how the employees at the National Environmental Services Center dress and interact with one another, and feel as thought I have a good sense of how to blend in and maintain those codes.
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