Dhara's Blog

Reflection on LinkedIn Best Practices

It was eye-opening to research effective LinkedIn profiles. As someone who has a mostly inactive profile, this assignment revealed clear instructions on how to make the best use of my professional network. For example, Schaffer’s emphasis on being an active user illuminated a weakness in my current LinkedIn practices. As well, suggestions like following school alumni and using relevant hashtags gave me direct steps I could take to improve my approach. In the summer of 2022, I hope to find an internship or co-op in the tech industry. This assignment helped me clean up my LinkedIn profile for prospective employers.

Reflection on Report Proposal

Forming a report proposal was a very interesting and new process. While I have done research papers in the past, they typically focused on the use of scholarly articles and journals. This was my first experience in investigating a real-world issue through direct community interaction. I found the process of creating and reviewing the survey for going paperless in CPSC 121 insightful. Notably, it was difficult to strike a balance on prying on the issue without being critical, but I think I managed to be sufficiently neutral. I hope to interview Dr. Mochetti about student feedback and concerns in the near future, and consolidate her perspective into the final report. I am a bit concerned on how to effectively tie together student and professor stances to propose a final solution (ie. students seem to largely prefer paper-based midterms). Regardless, the process of creating a formal report proposal highlighted the nuances and intricacies of going paperless in classes that have discrete math components.

Dhara – ENG 301 – Formal Report Proposal

Reflection on the Peer Review Process

The peer review process has made me more aware of the existing weaknesses in my work. For example, my partner Christine Hsiao noticed that certain areas of my proposal were unclear, such as the problem statement. She also emphasized conciseness for the proposal solution. In some ways, I find that when I am doing my first draft, there are certain areas that I am unsure about. These are often the same areas that are later confirmed by my peer review partner. On the flip side, the experience of peer reviewing my partner’s work highlighted the contentious nature of certain issues within the community. For instance, my partner’s proposal aimed to increase inclusivity in the UBC International Navigator Club. One of the proposed solutions was to limit native language speak, and to punish those who infringed on the rule. My peer review affirmed the need for sensitivity when dealing with these kinds of concerns.That is to say, through this process, I have learned that peer reviewing truly goes beyond just grammar, spelling and following course guideline, and can delve into ethical implications. In this way, the peer review process provides an invaluable second opinion.

Dhara – ENG 301 – Peer Review by Christine Hsiao

Writing the first draft of the Technical Definition

For the technical definition assignment, we were asked to simplify a complex term for non-technical audiences. This was achieved through writing three different definitions: a parenthetical definition, a sentence definition, and an expanded definition. This task challenged my understanding of the term algorithm. The concept of algorithms is second-nature to me, but this assignment clarified blind spots in my understanding. For instance, I struggled with the construction of the sentence definition. In doing so, I realized I did not truly understand where algorithms fit in the larger scope of the field of computer science. In a similar fashion, the expanded definition broke down the bare bones of algorithmic processing (sequence, selection and iteration blocks). This supplemented the depth of my own understanding. The assignment also served as practice for writing to different audiences, and as a formal introduction to parenthetical, sentence and expanded definitions.

Peer Review Process

During the peer review process, I was tasked to read and review my team member’s (Christine Hsiao) draft of the definition of deductible. Through reading my team member’s work, I was able to see possible revisions needed in my own work. For example, Christine’s draft was more concisely constructed, and every sentence served its own point. This inspired me to cut down on some unnecessary elaboration in my own assignment. Reading another student’s work also clarified the possible ways one can approach this assignment. My approach was more heavily focused on the raw definition of the term algorithm, but my teammate emphasized her term in relation to PharmaCare patients. This illuminated my understanding of the realm of possibilities this assignment could take. Overall, the peer review process was a critical step for my final draft.

Final Revision

After receiving feedback, I was tasked with revising the assignment. Since I agreed with all of the feedback my teammate gave me, I revised accordingly. For example, my teammate pointed out that my draft tended to use the passive voice rather than the active voice. I would have never noticed this oversight without her feedback. As well, revising the draft after a few days allowed me to see it with fresh eyes. I cut down on unnecessarily wordy sentences, and simplified the “analysis of parts” segment. Further, the instructor’s guidance helped in eliminating pronouns for the polished draft. Wholly, the final revision process helped me produce work that was to the best of my ability.

revised work

peer review

Response to Hansol Yang

To: Hansol Yang

From: Dhara Bhatt

Date: Jan 24, 2022

Subject: Re: ENG 301 Team Invitation

Dear Hansol,

Thank you for sending me a team invitation. I am writing to formally accept your offer to work together on ENG 301 team assignments.

I took a look at your application letter, and your experience in Advertising/PR and marketing research is a great asset for technical writing. I think your professional experience will complement my experience in philosophical writing, allowing us to effectively contribute from different perspectives. As well, I am also studying computer science as my second degree (BCS). This shared interest in computation makes us a great fit.

I am happy to hear that you think my past writing experience will be helpful! I am looking forward to working with you, as well as meeting our other teammates.

Have a great day,

              Dhara Bhatt

              ENG 301 Student

              University of British Columbia

             dharab@student.ubc.ca

301 Dhara Bhatt Application Letter

Invitation for Eric Zhang

To: Eric Zhang

From: Dhara Bhatt

Date: Jan 24, 2022

Subject: ENG 301 Writing Team Invitation

Dear Eric,

After looking at your letter of application, I am happy to extend an invite to join our writing team for the ENG 301 Winter 2022 semester.

As you mentioned in your letter, similar academic pursuits can spark success. I am also working on my second degree in computer science (BCS), and I think that our shared interest in computation and logic can provide a smooth transition for long-term collaboration. As well, I find your work ethic for getting things done early to be a great motivator for the team to stay on schedule.

To accept this offer, you can get in touch with me at dharab@student.ubc.ca. I look forward to working together throughout the semester!

Cheers,

              Dhara Bhatt

              ENG 301 Student

              University of British Columbia

             dharab@student.ubc.ca

301 Dhara Bhatt Application Letter

Invitation for Christine Hsiao

To: Christine Hsiao

From: Dhara Bhatt

Date: Jan 24, 2022

Subject: ENG 301 Writing Team Invitation

Dear Christine,

After looking at your letter of application, I am happy to extend an invite to join our writing team for the ENG 301 Winter 2022 semester.

From reading your letter, it seems we have complementary skills that can serve to best position our team for success. Your professional experience writing memos and emails at the pharmacy is a great asset to our team, and it is something I personally have less experience in. However, my philosophy background can contribute in its own way, making our collaboration well-rounded and varied. I also agree with your mindset that “practice makes perfect” and find cooperation and respect for team members to be of the utmost importance.

To accept this offer, you can get in touch with me at dharab@student.ubc.ca. I look forward to working together throughout the semester!

Sincerely,

              Dhara Bhatt

              ENG 301 Student

              University of British Columbia

             dharab@student.ubc.ca

301 Dhara Bhatt Application Letter

MEMORANDUM

To: Dr. Erika Paterson, ENG 301 Professor

From: Dhara Bhatt, student of ENG 301

Date: Thursday Jan 20, 2022

Subject: Posted application letter for writing team

Please note that I have posted an application letter for English 301. It can be found on my student blog, as well as enclosed within this memo.

My letter of application includes

• my intent to join a collaborative writing team

• my academic experience

• an overview of my strengths and weaknesses

• contact information

Please let me know if any clarifications are necessary. Thank you.

Enclosure: Letter of Application

301 Dhara Bhatt Application Letter

Dhara Bhatt

5178 Dunbar Street

Vancouver, BC V6N 1V7

January 19, 2022

ENG 301 99C

UBC blogs

Dear English 301 peers,

Please consider this as my letter of application for your writing team during the winter 2022 semester. I look forward to working together to produce professionally written works, including the collaborative formal report. My past academic and extracurricular experience in writing are assets I bring to the table as a team candidate.

Academically, I have an undergraduate philosophy degree from McMaster University. Though philosophy often focuses on critical reading and writing, I believe my experience is still a focal point for my candidacy. It has allowed me to develop clear and succinct communication skills, as well as the ability to parse critical information from written works.

Presently, I am studying computer science through the BCS program at UBC. I am interested in problem solving and a career in software development. I was initially drawn to computer science because of the underlying logic in computation. However, I am currently taking CPSC 210 and finding learning java to be equally enjoyable. Though I have not worked professionally in tech yet, I hope to gain hands-on experience during my fall co-op.

Strengths

– past writing experience on a wide range of subjects

– cooperative team member

Weaknesses

– minimal professional work experience

I am excited to proceed with this collaboration. You can reach me at dharab@student.ubc.ca to discuss further.

Sincerely,

Dhara Bhatt

301 Dhara Bhatt Application Letter