Creating a LinkedIn profile is inspiring, thought provoking, and a little intimidating. Going over my past experiences and defining the relevant details was a difficult process. Which responsibilities and accomplishments do I include from positions no longer relevant to my professional trajectory? For example, my experiences increasing online sales in the hospitality industry has very little to do with programming or software development. On the other hand, this example shows I can set, plan, and accomplish goals in a professional setting (using computers!). Ultimately, this process of reflecting and deciphering which skills transfer relevantly from my “past life” to my current trajectory is an ongoing and eye-opening exercise.
In creating a LinkedIn page and looking around the site, I found myself inspired and excited about the future. There are a lot of people doing a lot of cool things and the potential to launch into such communities is exhilarating. Moreover, this highlights the importance of networking via LinkedIn and other outlets. Keeping these networks active and up-to-date will be an important goal moving forward.
Report Proposals
On the report proposal front, I really like the open-endedness of the assignment, which allows us to explore individually-meaningful subjects. For my report, I am investigating gender inclusivity at UBC’s computer science-based TechTrek event, a subject right up my hybrid computer science-sociology alley. This report should give me an opportunity to explore gender inequalities—a subject I’ve studied in the past—and relate it to my current field of study. This will also broaden my awareness of social scenarios in scientific industries.
As far as the writing process, having a set journey through the different stages of the report makes it clear how the whole thing should come together structurally. At the same time, I am not totally sure what to expect from the results of my research, which will make for interesting analysis and writing.
Peer Reviews
Peer reviewing proposals endows deeper understandings of external perspectives, informing my own directions for the proposal. For example, a specific comment from my peer reviewer caused me to identify a more quantifiable goal for my proposal. After incorporating this suggestion and re-reading, I realized the strength it lends to the piece overall and I will try to utilize this strategy more in the future. It is one thing to surmise on a general solution, but specifying exactly what you want to accomplish adds authenticity and a stronger sense of purpose overall. It was really great to get this bit of feedback.
Reading my peer’s research proposal further elucidated this strategy. My partner’s work was clear and articulate and the use of specific numbers and examples aided in the clarity of her proposal. This realization will guide my future writing, while reminding me to ask, “How do specific details add value to the piece as a whole?”
As a whole, the peer review process has been great practice and an eye-opening exercise. Reviewing my peers’ works and having my own writing reviewed bestows new insights and greater understanding of successful strategies, including how and why they work.
As we continue reviewing each other, I also become more comfortable with the whole review process. While it can be intimidating, having your one’s work critiqued is a powerful way to grow. Practicing this process makes it less daunting and easier to access this important resource.
On the other side, practice in reviewing other students’ writing allows me to reflect on what comments, strategies, and attitudes can best contribute to their developments and to our progress as a group.