Looking back on this class, I think I would have done a few things differently. First of all, I should have gone through this class with the motive of learning the material instead of getting an A. The material is really useful for our future in helping us to be professional in our letters, resumes, interviews, etc. Now that I am about to start interviewing at medical schools, I wish I had paid more attention to those chapters and reading assignments so that I could remember them in the future!
Overall, my best advice is to:
-Do every assignment given to you... an A is very attainable as long as you just turn in what needs to be done and keep up with your blog.
-Take the mock interview seriously; it will help you in the future.
-Get to know Angie...she will really help you if you need someone to edit and give their opinion on your resumes or cover letters for jobs, internships, and grad school applications!
By sticking to those things, you will definitely do well in the class. Last but not least, have fun with the blogs! Make them creative and fun to read. It will make it easier to write, and definitely remember to post every week! Good luck!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ethics
When looking for an unethical document, I found a memo from Hitler to be very interesting. It appears to be a normal notification that is nonthreatening, like a suggestion rather than a demand. This memo is to the Nazi party speakers and leaders in Kreis Eisenach. It was delivered to the speakers in Kreis Eisenach by Hermann Köhler, who was the Kreisleiter, which is the county party head. He orders them to "voluntarily" break any affiliation with the church. As speakers, their full loyalty was to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. It is interesting that the word "voluntarily" is inserted, even though the memo itself tells its recipients in the clearest terms that they are to end their church membership. By telling them to do this voluntarily, Hitler was appearing to be a fair leader; however, everyone knew that it was not a good idea to disagree with one's Kreisleiter. They knew they would be punished by the Nazi regime if they did not end their membership to the church.
Clearly, everyone knows that Hitler was not an ethical man. He was an amazing public speaker, though. His manipulative character made a horribly unjust demand seem legitimate. This is why I chose to use this literary piece.
Clearly, everyone knows that Hitler was not an ethical man. He was an amazing public speaker, though. His manipulative character made a horribly unjust demand seem legitimate. This is why I chose to use this literary piece.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Computer versus Paper
Writing on the web is extremely different than writing on paper. My generation has become dependent on Microsoft Word to write essays, assignments, and papers. We don't realize how much we use spell check and thesaurus until we write an essay on paper. I think that writing on the Web is effective because of the professionalism it comes with, along with the added software programs that enhance the appearance and effectiveness of your work. It is different from writing on paper, however, because when writing on paper, we have to trust our own editing knowledge. It also doesn't allow us to exercise our vocabulary as much as we would writing manually.
Though typing is much different than writing, there are some similarities. Overall, you have to have the same knowledge and skills of writing for both methods of drafting. All grammar and structural aspects of the work must be interpretted through your own skills, something that computers can't give you. Though computers make it much easier to write a document, writing by hand keeps your memory and knowledge active and progressing. The less you depend on your memory and skills, the less you remember and attain. The pros and cons even out for both methods, but as long as one maintains their knowledge of writing and use of vocabulary, writing on the Web will provide a much more professional result.
Though typing is much different than writing, there are some similarities. Overall, you have to have the same knowledge and skills of writing for both methods of drafting. All grammar and structural aspects of the work must be interpretted through your own skills, something that computers can't give you. Though computers make it much easier to write a document, writing by hand keeps your memory and knowledge active and progressing. The less you depend on your memory and skills, the less you remember and attain. The pros and cons even out for both methods, but as long as one maintains their knowledge of writing and use of vocabulary, writing on the Web will provide a much more professional result.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Favorite Presentations
Unfortunately, I was unable to see a lot of the presentations because, along with 8% of Clemson's students, I was out with the flu. Of the presentations I did see, though, I'd have to say that the ones that stuck out the most were:
The adopting a pet speech- I never knew you could keep a pet for a week or two so that they would have more room in the shelters. I love puppies, but can't have the responsibility and costs of one right now. This was interesting and persuaded me to try out the foster care thing. Her topic was different and she kept it entertaining with cute pictures of different dogs that she has cared for.
The Hershey's chocolate speech- I'm definitely a chocolate lover, but I had no idea there was chocolate tasting etiquette similar to that of wine tasting. She did a really good job conveying a first hand account of her experience with chocolate tasting. It always seems more interesting when you hear information about something that the person has actually experienced rather than just researched.
All of the speeches I heard were great, and I could tell that everyone put a lot of time into preparing them. I wish I had seen all of them; the mule one sounded like it would have been pretty amusing! I enjoyed being able to see what my classmates were interested in and learn a little bit more about them, and I was glad that I was able to share some of my passions as well!
The adopting a pet speech- I never knew you could keep a pet for a week or two so that they would have more room in the shelters. I love puppies, but can't have the responsibility and costs of one right now. This was interesting and persuaded me to try out the foster care thing. Her topic was different and she kept it entertaining with cute pictures of different dogs that she has cared for.
The Hershey's chocolate speech- I'm definitely a chocolate lover, but I had no idea there was chocolate tasting etiquette similar to that of wine tasting. She did a really good job conveying a first hand account of her experience with chocolate tasting. It always seems more interesting when you hear information about something that the person has actually experienced rather than just researched.
All of the speeches I heard were great, and I could tell that everyone put a lot of time into preparing them. I wish I had seen all of them; the mule one sounded like it would have been pretty amusing! I enjoyed being able to see what my classmates were interested in and learn a little bit more about them, and I was glad that I was able to share some of my passions as well!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Mock Interview Reflection
My mock interview took place as an interview from the Dean of Admissions for the Medical University of South Carolina. I am applying to become a Physicians' Assistant there, and our interviews will start soon. The interview was enlightening because I was not as aware of certain information that characterizes the program that I am applying to. This interview made me realize that I need to do research prior to my actual interviews. I need to research specific programs and areas of concentration that this school has, as well as opportunities to get further involved other than just being a student. I also feel as though I should be prepared to ask them questions.
I was satisfied with my preparation of planning out my future career goals and educational goals. I was well prepared to answer any questions regarding what I want to do after college and after graduate school. The positive feedback I recieved about that portion of the interview built my confidence in that area.
Overall, this mock interview allowed me to identify my strengths and weaknesses. It made me realize everything that it takes to prepare for an interview, including where to park and giving enough time to find the location of the interview. I believe that it was a great tool in preparing me to have an effective real interview in the future.
I was satisfied with my preparation of planning out my future career goals and educational goals. I was well prepared to answer any questions regarding what I want to do after college and after graduate school. The positive feedback I recieved about that portion of the interview built my confidence in that area.
Overall, this mock interview allowed me to identify my strengths and weaknesses. It made me realize everything that it takes to prepare for an interview, including where to park and giving enough time to find the location of the interview. I believe that it was a great tool in preparing me to have an effective real interview in the future.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Cover Letters
I like the advice given about cover letters in this tutorial because it is being given by a hiring manager. It shows what is going on in the minds of people on the other side of the job hunting process and makes the advice credible. Many of the points were interesting things that I didn't expect. The example cover letter, for instance, seemed very blunt and over-confident to me. I never know where the line is between being confident and being too pushy when going through this job hunting process. I did take the advice in however, and the only part I disagreed with is the handwritten P.S. suggestion. I feel as though a P.S. on a cover letter is unprofessional, and with it being handwritten, it seems like you are scrambling last minute to write down one more thing to make them like you because you don't feel like what you have already typed is suffice.
The part that was most useful to me in this tutorial was the bulleted list of what format to use and what things to include in each paragraph of your letter. I will definitely go back to that advice and use it when I begin to draft my cover letter. I wasn't aware that cover letters are looked at after the person reads the resume, so I will now work on making my resume and cover letter extremely effective, so that when my future employer gets to my cover letter, it will be just as impressive as the resume!
The part that was most useful to me in this tutorial was the bulleted list of what format to use and what things to include in each paragraph of your letter. I will definitely go back to that advice and use it when I begin to draft my cover letter. I wasn't aware that cover letters are looked at after the person reads the resume, so I will now work on making my resume and cover letter extremely effective, so that when my future employer gets to my cover letter, it will be just as impressive as the resume!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Telling Stories and Mastering the Interview
An Interview Strategy: Telling Stories and Mastering the Interview
I agree with the advice in both articles. Some of the advice seems like common sense, but for the most part it was very useful in preparing for future interviews. I have never prepared stories to bring up during interviews and found that to be useful advice. Sometimes, when I leave an interview I think back to things I wish I had told them about my life. If I came prepared with different examples for different scenarios, it would probably eliminate those regrets. The section of these artices that benefitted me most was the preparation, presentation, perception outlook on an interview. The tips on being prepared physically and mentally are things I will definitely put into use in the future. Asking the interviewer what type of person they see filling the position is a good tip for ending an interview, as well. I think this shows that the person being interviewed is just as concerned with the well being of the company as the interviewer. Overall, I took all of these tips into consideration for preparing for my mock interview.
I agree with the advice in both articles. Some of the advice seems like common sense, but for the most part it was very useful in preparing for future interviews. I have never prepared stories to bring up during interviews and found that to be useful advice. Sometimes, when I leave an interview I think back to things I wish I had told them about my life. If I came prepared with different examples for different scenarios, it would probably eliminate those regrets. The section of these artices that benefitted me most was the preparation, presentation, perception outlook on an interview. The tips on being prepared physically and mentally are things I will definitely put into use in the future. Asking the interviewer what type of person they see filling the position is a good tip for ending an interview, as well. I think this shows that the person being interviewed is just as concerned with the well being of the company as the interviewer. Overall, I took all of these tips into consideration for preparing for my mock interview.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Rhetoric of MLK and Clinton
Persuasion techniques used by Martin Luther King and Hillary Clinton are used for speeches with similar goals by extremely different people. Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in September of 2007 regarding the Health care policies that she plans to implement if she becomes president. I personally do not care for another Clinton as president, but reading her speech even made me think twice because of her excellent use of rhetoric. Clinton uses pathos in her speech by telling a story of a married couple who have health problems and must sell their 30 year home in order to pay the medical bills. She introduces the topic in this way to get her audience to view healthcare from the perspective of one who supports her health care suggestions. Martin Luther King also uses pathos when he provides examples of what life is like for an African American during this time. Both of these examples provided in speeches appeal to the sympathetic and empathetic emotions of the audience.
Hillary uses ethos with a few small remarks about her husband. She indirectly reminds her audience not only of her own experience and accomplishments, but also of the fact that she has been a first lady and has experience in the White House. These remarks establish her credibility to the audience. Martin Luther King does this as well in the second paragraph of his letter when he states what his honors and leadership titles have been in his life.
Overall, Clinton's speech on the policy of universal health care is effective in persuading the audience, but not as effective as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s. MLK allows those who originally opposed his platform to become inspired. Those who have pre existing opinions of Clinton might not be as inspired by her speech. I, for example, have never cared for Hillary Clinton, and though her speech was convincing, it wasn't convincing enough to make me pro-Hillary. The letter from Birmingham jail is timeless and inspirational. The persuasion is written so well that one could find all three types of rhetoric in every part of the letter. Not being able to differentiate between these types is what makes his letter such an excellent piece of literature.
Hillary uses ethos with a few small remarks about her husband. She indirectly reminds her audience not only of her own experience and accomplishments, but also of the fact that she has been a first lady and has experience in the White House. These remarks establish her credibility to the audience. Martin Luther King does this as well in the second paragraph of his letter when he states what his honors and leadership titles have been in his life.
Overall, Clinton's speech on the policy of universal health care is effective in persuading the audience, but not as effective as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s. MLK allows those who originally opposed his platform to become inspired. Those who have pre existing opinions of Clinton might not be as inspired by her speech. I, for example, have never cared for Hillary Clinton, and though her speech was convincing, it wasn't convincing enough to make me pro-Hillary. The letter from Birmingham jail is timeless and inspirational. The persuasion is written so well that one could find all three types of rhetoric in every part of the letter. Not being able to differentiate between these types is what makes his letter such an excellent piece of literature.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
As a 31 year old...
When I think of how long 10 years is, it doesn't seem that long away. However, I then think about what I was like as an 11 year old and how different I am as a 21 year old, and I realize how drastic my life has changed since then. My life is going to be completely different in 10 years, and I have no idea where I will be or what I will be doing. All I do know is...it is going to be big.
When I get out of college, I want to take a year off and live out west as a medic in a national park or do medical missions in a third world country. After that I would like to go to MUSC and get my Physicians' Assistant degree. Therefore, in 10 years I will hopefully be established in a PA job at a hospital saving up money to travel. I would like to have a husband, 2 or 3 children, and 2 dogs. I don't know if I want to stay in South Carolina, but wherever I live needs to be near the mountains. My ultimate goal is to live in other third world countries to help others. I have always had a passion for internationally making a difference. I just don't know what age I will be there and whether or not I will have a family before or after I go.
To be honest, I usually hate answering questions of where I will be in 10 years. I am a sole believer that what I am supposed to do in life will all fall into place at the right time. I have always been a "go with the flow" kind of person, so planning out my years and painting a picture of me as a 31 year old really contradicts who I am. Instead of concentrating on where I'll be and who I'll be with and what I'll be doing, I would rather concentrate on what I think is the most important thing in life, and that is who I am. I want to be someone who is confident and strong in my faith, someone who unconditionally loves others, and most of all, I want to be a person who makes a difference in others lives.
So when I am 31 years old, I picture myself looking back at the past 10 years and thinking, "I wouldn't change a thing."
When I get out of college, I want to take a year off and live out west as a medic in a national park or do medical missions in a third world country. After that I would like to go to MUSC and get my Physicians' Assistant degree. Therefore, in 10 years I will hopefully be established in a PA job at a hospital saving up money to travel. I would like to have a husband, 2 or 3 children, and 2 dogs. I don't know if I want to stay in South Carolina, but wherever I live needs to be near the mountains. My ultimate goal is to live in other third world countries to help others. I have always had a passion for internationally making a difference. I just don't know what age I will be there and whether or not I will have a family before or after I go.
To be honest, I usually hate answering questions of where I will be in 10 years. I am a sole believer that what I am supposed to do in life will all fall into place at the right time. I have always been a "go with the flow" kind of person, so planning out my years and painting a picture of me as a 31 year old really contradicts who I am. Instead of concentrating on where I'll be and who I'll be with and what I'll be doing, I would rather concentrate on what I think is the most important thing in life, and that is who I am. I want to be someone who is confident and strong in my faith, someone who unconditionally loves others, and most of all, I want to be a person who makes a difference in others lives.
So when I am 31 years old, I picture myself looking back at the past 10 years and thinking, "I wouldn't change a thing."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Web 2.0...Becoming More than Just a Machine
After watching the YouTube video "The Machine is Us/ing us," I realized how much and how rapidly the internet has become such a vital part of our lives as humankind. It is actually slightly alarming to think of how dependent our culture is on technology and internet access. This title alone shows us that something we were capable of creating is now vital for the creation of every day tasks, business transactions, medical treatments, and life in general. Even though the web is a product of our intelligence and creativity, it seems like we are teaching it to have a mind of its own...and that is scary.
This new, technologically advanced web can extremely influence one who is ready to enter the workforce. For example, being technologically literate in our generation will further one's career from the very start because of the growing demand of new technologies and the ill-educated business owners of older generations. These older populations in the workforce were not given the opportunity to learn how to work with certain technologies, therefore they turn to our generation for help. Those ready to dive in to their careers have the advantage of doing extensive research on different businesses and jobs of interest, a luxury that was not possible in the past. A negative influence could possibly be caused by the most popular sites today: Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. Questionable pictures and messages on profiles from the college years come back to haunt certain young adults when and increasing amount of corporations and businesses are checking facebook stats before hiring.
Web 2.0 has not only changed for people ready to get a job; it has changed the current workforce as a whole. New technologies have taken work to an entirely different level, with more access to information, more advertising to the global community, and more services and actions made possible only because of these machines that we've made. Is this a positive or a negative aspect of life? It depends on who you ask. I believe that every fire starts with a flame, and at the rate our world is going, every technological advance is just pouring on the gasoline. We need to go back to the pre-internet, pre-cellphone, pre-digital days and rethink what life was like. The phrase, "we will have to rethink everything" shows that as time passes, we have let our works, ideas, privacy, morals, and work ethic gradually slide down as we adjust to the next new thing.
But no one wants to rethink everything, because no one has time for that.
We'd rather a machine do our thinking for us.
This new, technologically advanced web can extremely influence one who is ready to enter the workforce. For example, being technologically literate in our generation will further one's career from the very start because of the growing demand of new technologies and the ill-educated business owners of older generations. These older populations in the workforce were not given the opportunity to learn how to work with certain technologies, therefore they turn to our generation for help. Those ready to dive in to their careers have the advantage of doing extensive research on different businesses and jobs of interest, a luxury that was not possible in the past. A negative influence could possibly be caused by the most popular sites today: Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. Questionable pictures and messages on profiles from the college years come back to haunt certain young adults when and increasing amount of corporations and businesses are checking facebook stats before hiring.
Web 2.0 has not only changed for people ready to get a job; it has changed the current workforce as a whole. New technologies have taken work to an entirely different level, with more access to information, more advertising to the global community, and more services and actions made possible only because of these machines that we've made. Is this a positive or a negative aspect of life? It depends on who you ask. I believe that every fire starts with a flame, and at the rate our world is going, every technological advance is just pouring on the gasoline. We need to go back to the pre-internet, pre-cellphone, pre-digital days and rethink what life was like. The phrase, "we will have to rethink everything" shows that as time passes, we have let our works, ideas, privacy, morals, and work ethic gradually slide down as we adjust to the next new thing.
But no one wants to rethink everything, because no one has time for that.
We'd rather a machine do our thinking for us.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Intro blog
My name is Casey Tucker and I am from Greenville, SC. I have lived there my whole life with my parents, 1 brother, 1 sister and my dog, Buddy. I'm a junior at Clemson and my major is Preprofessional Health Science. I want to take a year off after college before I go to graduate school and either teach English or provide medical care in a third world country or be a medic in Colorado through Americorps. I would then like to go to Physician's Assistant school at MUSC. My hobbies include the outdoors, hiking, camping, rock climbing, music, and hanging out with friends. I spent this past summer in Africa doing mission work and plan on going back as soon as I get a chance. My email is caseyt@clemson.edu if anyone needs anything for class!
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