Technology Regarding our Project

Technology certainly made it easier for our group to complete our project. First and foremost this was our primary form of communication between each other. We emailed each other to alert each other to deadlines and to transfer and swap pieces of our project. We also exchanged emails between our group and the women from Mauldin to arrange meetings and exchange information. We also used computers to actually piece together our presentation. Whether it was writing a cover letter, typing up a proposal or redesigning a poster computers were used in all of these processes. Withough technology, it is not that this project would have been impossible, it just would have taken a considerable amount of time more to complete. Also, it may not have been done to the standard that our group was able to accomplish.

Ethical Lapses

After discussing that incredible world war two letter regarding the treatment and disposal of human beings in class my eyes have really been opened as to how language and word choice can affect the meaning and interpretations of things. Although the content of the letter was atrocious I think the author actually did a very good job at masking the inhumanities of which he was writing about by using certain phrases and word choices. We discussed in class that this author probably wrote the letter like this because he did not necessarily agree with what he was writing about. Perhaps the subject itself made him uncomfortable and because of this he really avoided the upsetting parts of it. I think that a good underlying principle to take out of this letter is that although you may not always enjoy what you are doing or agree with it there is always a level of professionalism that should be maintained and that even if you don't enjoy it there is always a way to do it and do it well. Also, wording is everything.

Miscommunication in a Work Setting

I have been lifeguarding since I was 15. Through time I was able to work my way up through the ranks to headguard/assistant manager. Recently, as in this past summer, I was telling one of the guards that in 45 minutes it would be okay to move down from 3 lifeguards on duty to two. For whatever reason this was mistaken as 15 minutes. Following his next shift he told one of the guards that they were on break now and that we were going to two guards. Not ten minutes later a mother came to the lifeguard office complaining that there was not an adequate amount of guards on duty. Confused I looked out side and saw only two guards even though there was supposed to be three for another two shifts. Angry at first I asked the guard why he was not on chair and he said that I told the previous guard that we were to go to two. I am not sure where the miscommunication was in this situation. I guess it was as simple as someone mishearing someone else however heaven forbid if there had been an incident it would have been my fault. Sometimes miscommunications are unavoidable. Even if you tell someone something, have them write it down and write it down for them they may still not understand clearly and not do what is expected to be done. I think to avoid these situations as much as possible people need to make sure that they speak clearly and maybe even have the person that they are speaking to reiterate what they have just heard back to them. Like I said it is impossible to completely avoid every miscommunication however there are steps that can be taken to ensure that very few happen.

Presentations/Online Portfolios

Unfortunately I was in the group that was not in class that day because we were meeting with the women from Mauldin.
As for online portfolios I really have next to no experience. Besides occasionally saving things on to Clemson's U drive but that is hardly an online portfolio. I am excited to learn about this new topic and create an online portfolio of my own.

Presentations

I thought that all the presentations were very thoughtful and well prepared. If I had to pick only three I think I would pick Wyatt's because it was an insightful presentation with a twist on an old classic (the pineapple) and those quesadillas were delicious. I thought that the presentation by Joe was also interesting. Not just because he also had a great recipe but it had alot of personal ties for him back home in Ohio. I think this made the presentation that much more interesting. A third presentation that I especially enjoyed would probably have to be Brent's presentation on vinyl records. This was a topic that I really knew nothing about and that is apparently beginning to become popular again. He had cool props as well, it was nice to be able to take the records out and check them out.

Cover Letters

Prior to doing some reading on this website I did not even know what a cover letter was. I'm sure several people would bite their tongues reading such a statement but although I have heard the term before, I was never particularly familiar with the details. I do believe that this is a smart technique when trying to attain a certain position. As the head of transportation in Anderson county told us, one can use this as an opportunity to express oneself in a professional manner. I have a new appreciation for the statement he made regarding the fact that a resume is merely a list. I believe that in the majority of cases when someone is looking to hire in the business field they are not going hire just anyone with a list of credentials, rather someone who has that list of credentials along with a personality and the ability to write concisely and effectively. A cover letter offers just the opportunity to showcase these things.
I agree with the advice that is offered on this website. To me, although I have little experience with cover letters, by following the steps and advice offered on the given webpage, one can create an effective and persuasive cover letter. I think the sample cover letter given would be the most useful bit of information for me personally. This shows a proper format and effective way to write a cover letter.

Client Interview

This client interview was not only helpful but very necessary. She clarified the specifications of this project and what her company is really looking for. I believe that after her talk our group is more than ready to prepare an effective and quality project that will help spread the message of a healthy campus.
I really like the idea of showing students the money they can save by purchasing healthy food to prepare from the grocery store opposed to buying junk food from a fast food restaurant. Our group is gelling nicely and I am excited to see the kind of work we can produce.