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.

Interview Mistakes

I do think that this list is mostly true. I do not necessarily agree with the 'asking dumb questions' point because although possibly obvious or arbitrary questions to some, are not simply dumb. If a person is not well versed in a certain area questions may seem easy to those educated in said area, however to those not educated in this subject any question will seem foreign to them. I do for the most part agree with the rest of the list.
I have been in an interview before and by simply answering questions fully and honestly and by making sure that i was being as polite and respectful as possible i attained the position i was after. This list is helpful and I will certainly considerate in the future.

Free Write

I can't remember the last time I got to write what I cared about in an English class haha. As I'm sure will be a popular topic for this write I'll just discuss a few things that have been on my mind lately. Being an athlete at Clemson is a great honor and alot of fun. Being part of a strong Division I program like this and embracing tiger pride and all that has been an incredible experience. However I really get sick of this whole double standard. Twenty hours of training a week, ten hours of study hall, plus countless meetings and mandatory presentations about how not to drink yourself to death and that sex has to be consensual. Don't get me wrong I completely understand that we are receiving aid to be here but by that logic, shouldn't every student on an academic scholarship have these same obligations? Regardless I love it here and am appreciative everyday for this opportunity.
I miss my family alot. I'm from Pennsylvania and being so far from my family can be trying. However it can be nice to have space. I miss my sister alot; we were really close growing up and now she is going to school in Pittsburgh so we're obviously far apart. Seperating from people you care about is a part of life, but it is nice to know that they will always be there for you regardless.
I'm living in Chimney Ridge next year and I'm pretty excited about that. My roommates are great. I feel like in most living situations there's that one kid that nobody really likes or is just awkward and weird. Well my three roommates and I are great friends so I think this living situation is going to work out really well.
Oh and finally I'm getting tired of all this talk about who the best in the NBA is. Lebron James is head and shoulders above the competition. I agree that Kobe Bryant is the best perimeter shooter in the league, but when comparing all-around best player Lebron is the best. Averaging 27.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and 7 assists per game (Lebron) compared to 26.6 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game (Kobe)....how can you say Kobe is the better player? And that is what grinds my gears.

Preparing for a Resume

I'd like to think that in ten years I'll be putting my degree to use, making some sort of decent living and possibly even starting a family. Woah, there's a scary thought. As of right now I am planning on going to grad school. It seems anymore a bachelor's degree just doesn't cut it. Regardless, I've always prided myself on having people skills. I believe that with a degree from Clemson and the ability to talk to people I can put myself in a positive situation including a secure job with a healthy income and the possibility of advancement. As to where I will be living that is a question I can't really answer right now. I am from Pennsylvania and of course that is home for me however I have grown quite fond of the south. It could be nice to live where I spent the first 18 years of my life, however spending 18 more down here wouldn't be a bad thing either. Regarding the type of lifestyle I would like to have ten years from now obviously I would like to be living comfortably. I do not need millions of dollars to be happy, but I would like to be able to provide for my family as my father did for ours. We were by no means wealthy but he made sure no one in our household wanted for anything. Now this is not to say I am not going to seek the highest salary I'm am able to get, but as is said money isn't everything.

Rethink Everything

Anyone entering the workforce today without a deep knowledge of computers and the internet is giving themselves a huge handicap. However this is nothing new. For those that think that now people need to enter the workforce with a strength in computers and web 2.0 must have been living under a rock for the past decade. Innovation on the web is certainly affecting the work place. With websites like Facebook and Myspace it's as easy as a few clicks for a boss and manager to see all about the crazy weekend someone had. A few more clicks away and criminal records and financial history can be accessed as well. For the most part our sense of privacy and discretion is long past us. Just by googling ones name it easy to find much information on a person. And without even thinking twice about it I just allowed web 2.0 to affect my daily thought. Instead of 'search the internet' or 'look up' I simply said 'googling'. It has come to this point of severity where now websites are like popular brand names. It is no longer bandages it is band-aids, it is no longer gelatin it is Jell-O. As minuscule and unimportant as the difference between looking something up and googling it is, this truly shows our addiction to instantaneous anything. Instantaneous information, shopping, communication or even entertainment. If a person entering or already in the workforce is not adept to these 21st century advancements they will be left behind.

David's First Blog

Hey all. My name is David Gordon and I am a management student at Clemson. I am a sophmore and love the south despite that I've only been here for less than two years now. I am from Macungie, Pennsylvania which is just outside Philadelphia. I'm on the swim team here at Clemson and love everyday of it.
I love my family and they are a huge part of my life. It has been a challenge going to school so far away from them but fortunately I have made a second family here at Clemson which I can rely on for anything. I love all types of music and despite being a northerner I don't completely despise country music haha. I love easy rock like Hootie and Dave Matthews but I don't mind rap music either. I also love all sports and hope to make them a big part of my life and career as I grow older. Sports management/marketing is ultimately where I hope to take my career.
I grew up with an active lifestyle and love being outside. Playing games and sports, fishing, working and vacationing are all activities that I truely enjoy.
I've been swimming ever since I was 5 and it has always been a big part of my life. I played soccer and baseball until high school but did not excel in anything else like I had in swimming. I was state champion in high school and an all-American as well. This success inspired me to pursue swimming in college along side with my academics goals. This search took me all up and down the east coast including Florida State, University of Virginia and the University of Maryland but no school appealed to me the way Clemson University had through it's campus, people and notorious academic stature.
Feel free to introduce yourself and talk to me; I love meeting new people!