Miscommunication Breakdown

Oh man! I have seen and been in plenty of situations that there was miscommunication within an organization and in social settings. One in particular was very frustrating because it dealt with an event that my organization was planning for months...

We (my organization) were hosting democratic candidates running for political office all over South Carolina was suppose to come to Clemson for a convention. The president of the organization kept promising that the gubernatorial candidate would be there for sure, and told others that his appearance was the reason for the whole event. It was definitely not the case. So to make a long story short, the gubernatorial candidate did not come, and she cancelled the entire event on a whim, even after she told the rest of the executive board that the event would still go on. So, there were a lot of angry campaigns who were demanding their money back when we did not know that she cancelled the event! It made us look bad, and it defiantly hurt our creditability across the state for at least 2 years.

E-portfolio and Presentations

Well continuing with the presentations, I liked the graphic communications presentation. The props that the presenter used was very effective in showing the different types of work and projects that go on in the major. She was very knowledgeable about the topic and she presented her topic with pride.

As far as an e-portfolio goes, I never had to do anything for an e-portfolio since it is not a requirement for me to graduate. This is the first class that I had that I will actually have to do something for the e-portfolio. Most of my questions will be about how to format the website and how to upload documents on the website.

Also, I really would like to know can we push back the due date for the draft to the Wednesday after break in case of technical difficulties and things like that?

Favorite Presentation

My 3 favorite presentations thus far were the (1) Locks of Love, (2) Have you Laughed Today, and the (3) Boykin Spaniel presentations. The Locks of Love presentation was the best to me because it was very educational and it was dealing with philanthropy and serving others. The presentation took a real story from the presenter and incorporated into the presentation. The Have You Laughed Today presentation was great because it got me into a good mood, and it made everyone smile. The Boykin Spaniel presentation was cute because of the live dog being there (which he/she was very well-behaved) and it was educational was well. All of these presenters used very good props and mediums to convey their message.

Cover Letter Tips

For the most part, I agree with all of the advice about the cover letter presented on the website. I have actually used the recommended format for cover letters in the past, such as for my internship with Rep. Gresham Barrett. However, they did leave out one point that is useful for cover letters and resumes as well: print the document on resume paper, and not cheap, plain paper (if at all possible). I heard this really makes your documents stand out from the rest of the pile of paper. For example, you can go to Wal-mart and buy fine paper for as little as 4 dollars, but there is a better quality paper for about $7.96. The 4 dollar pack as a variety of plain ivory and marbled ivory paper that will make everything stand out.

The one thing that I learned from the website and I am not to sure about is the P.S. note. I really never thought to do that and I equate P.S. lines with personal letters and such, but not for formal business writings. And along with the idea of handwriting it, I wonder how it would change the consistency of the letter's formatting and style?

Redfern Client Project

I really am interested in the client project for the Health Campus Initiative for class. Just with the visit, I learned more about different programs on campus such as the Organic Farm. My group, Pro-Health has several good ideas, and my favorites were a student produced cooking show and an Iron Chef type contest. We are also thinking about some marketing ideas and looking at other universities to see what student run agricultural programs are out there. The biggest concern that I have is that since our group has several interesting and great ideas, it may be hard to decide what we want to work on. I am also concerned about just the time and making sure that everything is completed on time. Working with my group is going okay, I have no complaints really and as far as questions go, I really can't think of any but I'm sure later on, I will have a lot of questions in my mind.

Biggest Interview Mistakes

After reading an article on the 10 biggest interview mistakes, I thought about my recent Teach for America interview and how that was kinda a disaster. Not only was I overly nervous, but I was unprepared and had no clue what was going on. Part of it was I was nervous about getting lost in the morning city traffic in Charlotte, part of it was I was nervous about sounding doped up on Vick's cough and cold medicine, and part of it was the secrecy of the interview process itself, with the firm giving little or no clues about each of the 5 portions of an all-day interview.

I was not prepared to for the mini-lesson that I was suppose to give because I thought the company was suppose to give us info to prepare the lesson with. And i was overwhelmed with the mock after-school staff meeting, as 4 ladies dominated the conversation. In the one-on-one interview however, I thought I gained traction again toward the good graces of the firm, until I realized that I talked way too much. And after all, I didn't help that I lost my laptop bag in the office either.

Being nervous is definitely normal, but it can destroy one's chances of getting a position. So along with not asking stupid questions, there should be spaces to add "Do not lose your belongings on interview day" and "Do not talk to much either"...because you will not get a job that way.

Random Things

Well since I can talk about anything that I want to this week...I will talk about the super bowl and the RNC foolishness.

1. The Super Bowl-I think the Super Bowl was cheated. While I do not like neither Arizona or the Steelers, one with common since could see the tricks being pulled out the ref's hat to help Pittsburgh win the Super Bowl. (Hey, it's just my opinion). I really do think that there is a master plan/list on who's going to win the Super Bowl in what year...lol...i really do.

2. Republican Party names Micheal Steele as chairman-Now while I am glad to see advancement within minority groups in American politics, this appointment is nearly a desperate stunt for the GOP to (1) split African-American voters between the two parties to weaken the group's political clout, (2) to steal the significance of the Obama administration, and (3) to attempt to look diverse in preparation for the 2010 and 2012 elections. Not since Abe Lincoln has the Republican Party did anything that would help minorities, women, or the middle or lower class citizenry. Independents along with the groups that I just mention should not fall for this debauchery and facade.

Republicans still do not care about these groups. For example, South Carolina's finest (sarcastically used) Governor Mark Sanford was almost willing to let people starve and be kicked out of their homes when he waited until the last minute to apply for more money for unemployment benefits. Did he cared about those who lost their jobs and who needed the help..NO! Of course not. He just did not want to look like he was agreeing with the Obama agenda. And let's not forget about our dear old senator Jim DeMint, who was one of the only two senators that voted against the confirmation of now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Even Senator Lindsey Graham (who serves on the Armed Forces Committee voted for her! Gasp!) So what does this tell people...Republicans only care about the rich and the corporate circles...

but hey...that's only my opinion too.