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Creating my Web Folio was a term-long project, which started with creating my ENGL301 blog page through WordPress, a blogging and website content management system (or CMS).  In the first weeks of the course, I really struggled to figure out how to use WordPress to make my blog page.  However, with more time navigating the system, I learned enough to understand how the system works and how to make a well laid out website.  Since it was a big challenge to learn WordPress in the first place, I decided to stick with this platform for my Web Folio.

My Web Folio includes a Home page that welcomes visitors to my website, a blog page, a section with my Application Package, a section for examples of some of my best work in ENGL301, and my contact information.  Since creating my Web Folio was an ongoing project that started in the first weeks of the course, it was relatively complete by the time we were given the formal opportunity to work on it.  Most of my effort went into creating a new Home page, providing introductions to my Best Work pages, writing reflection posts.

People who do not know me and visit my Web Folio will have my Home page as their first impression of me.  Not only did I want to entice newcomers to further explore my Web Folio, I wanted to ensure that my website was easily navigated from my Home page.  Including hyperlinks and visuals on my Home page helped my website makes my website more easily navigated and also more aesthetically pleasing.

I want my visitors to focus on the content of my Web Folio when they visit my site, so I kept my layout very simple by not using additional widgets.  In order to breakup the blocks of text in my writing and add colour to my Web Folio, I included pictures in various pages.  Also, in order to further enhance my visitor experience, I included a lot of hyperlinks that take the visitor to different part of my Web Folio or another relevant websites.

I see my Web Folio much like I do my LinkedIn profile, an ongoing project carrying past the course of ENGL301.  When I graduate and begin fulltime work, I will take the time to update my Web Folio, since a strong, positive online presence can be very useful when trying to progress in your career.

My Web Folio is the ENGL301 project I am most proud of. I look forward to sharing it with all my connections.

Solomon Vandt
123 ABC Street
City, Province XXX XXX
January 13, 2015

ENGL 301: Technical Writing
The University of British Columbia
2329 West Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

SUBJECT: ENGL 301 Professional Writing Team

Dear fellow 301 students:

My name is Solomon Vandt, a fourth year Biochemistry Major with Co-op experience, and I am currently seeking a position on your professional writing team. I am excited to join a dynamic group of individuals and be a part of a symbiotic relationship making the most of the ENGL 301 experience.

During my Co-op terms at the BC Cancer Research Centre (BCCRC), I held the position of clinical trials assistant. My main duties include clinical sample processing, documentation, and shipment. Specifically, in this position, I dealt with an assortment of technical documents, including clinical trial protocol, a research report, and professional e-mail correspondence. While assisting in clinical trials, I also exhibited my strong interpersonal and communication skills by working well with my team, including the nurses and data coordinators of the clinic.

Furthermore, in my Co-op experience as a cell-licensing associate and research assistant at Applied Biological Materials (ABM), I gained valuable experience working with and generating technical writing. In the cell-licensing role, my goal was to inquire about the availability of cell lines that researches have developed over the course of their research. I initiated e-mail correspondence with institutions all around the world and was successful in negotiating licensing agreements. Generating business for ABM by communicating and negotiating effectively was significant in my growth as a technical writer.

In addition, my studies at UBC have also provided me with the necessary skills for a position within your team. Throughout my academic career I have become accustomed to generating technical documents in the form of laboratory notebooks, lab reports, and research reports. Furthermore, by critically analyzing research papers in my biochemistry training, I have strengthened my problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and other critical thinking skills.

With regards to how I write, I prefer to take my time and write with lots of care. However, do I find that I often take much longer than necessary to produce documents in hindsight. Moreover, I strive to become a more efficient technical writer, which I believe can only occur through lots of practice.

In summary, my experience in working with and generating technical documents in the academia and in the workplace make me a valued addition to any writing team hoping to show great development of the course of ENGL 301. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss the prospects of forming a professional writing team, please do not hesitate to contact me at svandt@hotmail.com.

Kind regards,

Solomon Vandt

301 Solomon Vandt Application letter