Unit 2 has been action-packed! From creating a LinkedIn profile, to preparing a report proposal and outline, to reviewing our peers’ work, it’s been an exciting time. Read on for some reflections on my work this unit.
On Creating a LinkedIn Profile
Prior to the assignment, my LinkedIn profile was stagnant. The most recent work experience listed was from two years ago. As such, I welcomed the opportunity to refresh my profile with open arms! As a student who is often seeking work experience, I worry about potential employers viewing my Facebook profile. LinkedIn is an excellent opportunity to showcase my professional skills and accomplishments. I do think, however, that it is a tool like any other social media platform. In conjunction with networking in person, it is an excellent way to keep in touch with people you cross paths with. If LinkedIn is left alone, like my profile was, it implies a lack of effort and care in your digital appearance.
On Preparing a Report Proposal and Outline
It was incredibly useful to write a report proposal so early in the project. It forced me to determine the nitty-gritty details of the project from its inception. The most interesting implication of the proposal is how it has evolved. One specific example of this is the question I posed as part of the project’s scope: “Which organizations at high schools and universities in Vancouver would be willing to advertise the volunteer positions?”. After speaking to the museum’s curator, I learned that the ideal volunteer is university-educated. I will be able to adapt my recommendations to the museum now that I know the target audience. Evaluating Gurjyot’s proposal allowed me to spot weaknesses in my own proposal. For example, he provided many details on his research methods, while I did not.
Writing the report outline helped provide the skeleton for my report, and the feedback from the professor on this was incredibly useful. I am curious to see if my hypothesized factors regarding the volunteers’ push and pull factors are true or not. At this point in the project, I can see how my work will become a formal report quite easily. My only concern is what data to use to create stunning visuals, as much of my data is qualitative. I imagine, however, that the data on gender, educational background and hours logged will be useful for this purpose.
On the Peer Review Process
What is so fascinating to me in the peer review process is how much John Lannon and Laura Gurak’s advice applies! Since the textbook is so comprehensive, it can be difficult to remember all the suggestions they provide. I already find myself wishing to return to their section on writing concisely and with the appropriate tone. In the peer review process, it is easy to recognize the points that I remembered and followed in my own work. Avoiding run-on sentences and too many adjectives are two examples of this. The more difficult element of the process is to understand which tools my peers are using which I have not yet picked up on! It is a good thing to be mindful of when doing my own work. More generally, I truly enjoy the peer reviews in this course since we have learned the process for writing them well. This makes them a pleasure to write.
View my own Formal Report Proposal here: 301 Meredith Gillespie Revised Formal Report Proposal
You can see Min-Ji’s review of my Formal Report Proposal here.