Document Title: Brochure for Creative Writing Department Course: ENG 7766, Technical Writing Semester: Summer 2011 Description: This is a brochure I created during technical writing class with Dr. Kain during the summer of 2011. The class worked in groups to create brochures for the ECU Creative Writing Department; we were tasked with including certain pieces of information and following the ECU style guide to create the brochure. Reflection: For this project, three of us had to work together to create a brochure; I was in charge of the layout because I already knew how to use the design programs. I had worked with a style guide before, but not with one as extensive as the ECU guidelines, and I enjoyed the challenge of creating a brochure that met these guidelines. I am currently tasked with developing a style guide for my workplace, and the experience with creating this brochure helps me know what types of information to include in the style guide. In addition to honing my layout skills, this project taught me quite a bit about collaborating with colleagues. Collaborating long-distance was a learning experience for me. While we worked well together, it was interesting trying to do everything by conference call and e-mail. I am glad for the experience, as I often find myself with the need for long-distance collaboration at work. Satisfaction Level: 6
Document Title: Grant Application for Discover Tech project Course: N/A Semester: Spring 2012 Description: This is a copy of a grant proposal I wrote for the Wayne County Public Library in the summer of 2012. Through this grant, the library was chosen as one of eight libraries in the country to host a traveling exhibit called "Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference." The techniques learned in Dr. Henze's grant writing class helped a great deal as I completed this project. Reflection: This grant was the first large-scale grant I wrote. When I received an e-mail about this grant, I decided to write it for practice. I was very surprised when I received word that my application was chosen as one of the eight winners, yet, needless to say, very excited. In writing this grant, I was able to apply many of the principles I learned in Dr. Henze's grant writing class. In the months leading up to the exhibit's arrival, I have been able to apply many aspects of what I have learned in the TPC program, as I have been in charge of not only coordinating the exhibit and related programs, but advertising it in the community. Through this exhibit, I have had the chance to write a grant, design posters and brochures, design a website, write press releases and news articles, and coordinate a social media campaign. In my mind, this grant project is the culmination of everything I learned in my coursework. I am now looking forward to the challenge of applying these principles on an even larger scale as I develop a marketing plan for the library and set parameters for a new position as the public relations coordinator. Satisfaction Level: 7 www.wcpl.org Document Title: Wayne County Public Library website Course: N/A Semester: Fall 2012-Spring 2013 Description: In November of 2012, I took over the website at the library where I work. Our assistant director and I completely redesigned the site, and I am now in charge of updates and maintenance. Through this new job responsibility, I am able use the techniques of web design I learned in Dr. Kain's web design class in the summer of 2011. Reflection: I have found that web design is very frustrating. If one little mistake is made, everthing about it is thrown off. We have a web design software package that allows for editorial decisions about colors, layout, etc. but limits what elements you can put on a page. This is both good and bad--both because it will not always let me do what I want. While it is frustrating to want to include an element that is not allowed by the software, it is nice that it keeps me from making what might be a questionable design choice. Satisfaction Level: 4
Document Title: Smartest Card poster Course: N/A Semester: Fall 2010 Description: This is a poster I created for the "Smartest Card" campaign at the library where I work. The campaign runs every September and aims to encourage residents of our community to sign up for library cards. This campaign allows me to use many of the principles I learned throughout my undergraduate and graduate education. I chose this poster as a representation of the wide variety of skills used during this campaign and others like it. Reflection: The campaign is different every year, which allows me an opportunity to use a range of skills. As a one-woman public relations department at the library where I work, I have an opportunity to put into practice the different facets of my education. The Smartest Card campaign, along with others like it, allow me the chance to create proposals, write press releases, design posters and other promotional materials, and document usage of the library. I enjoy the aspect of my job that allows me to utilize my education to the fullest. Throughout the past year that I have been working as the public relations coordinator at the library, I have had a chance to put into practice theories and principles that I learned in basically every class I took throughout my time as a student. Satisfaction Level: 6 |
Document Title: Brochure for the Wayne Pregnancy Care Center Course: ENG 7710, Technical Communications Semester: Fall 2011 Description: I designed this brochure for the Wayne Pregnancy Care Center in Goldsboro, NC, as part of an assignment in ENG 7710 with Dr. Southards during the Fall 2011 semester. Reflection: For this project, we were assigned to create a marketing piece for an organization in our own communities. I chose the Wayne Pregnancy Care Center, which serves women who find themselves with unplanned and/or crisis pregnancies. They wanted an informational brochure that they could hand out to potential clients; they are also working on a very limited budget, so they wanted something that could be printed on their office computers and not incur printing costs at a commercial printer. I enjoyed this process, as it was the first time I had worked with an organization that was not my direct employer. I am satisfied with the final project, but, looking back on it, I wish I had spent more time to make the brochure more asthetically pleasing. Satisfaction Level: 4
Document Title: Instructions for Using Polaris Library System Course: ENG 7766, Technical Writing Semester: Summer 2011 Description: This project is a set of instructions I wrote for Dr. Kain's technical writing class in the summer of 2011. The instructions are for using a few elements of the Polaris library management software we use at the library where I work. I only included instructions for one function here, but I actually created instructions for about ten different issues. Reflection: For this project, we were assigned to create a set of instructions for something we do in the workplace. I chose to write instructions for some of the functions of the library management software we use at the library where I work. I really liked writing the instructions, although I found it to be somewhat time-consuming. When you do something all the time, it is hard to go back and write instructions for somebody who does not know anything about the same process. To test my instructions, I had a library volunteer, who is not trained to use this particular software, follow my instructions. I sat with her as she went through them to see what I had left out. I was surprised to see the things I left out, even after I had tested the instructions myself. Satisfaction Level: 5
Document Title: Proposal Course: ENG 7766, Technical Writing Semester: Summer 2011 Description: This is a project done for Dr. Kain's Technical Writing class during the summer of 2011. The purpose of this project was to teach how to write proposals in the workplace. Reflection: This was the first time I had written a formal proposal to explain reasoning behind requesting to do a project. I found the process very easy, and I liked being able to gather my thoughts on a project and form them into one cohesive document. I have since used this style several times in my job and have found that my boss likes receiving written proposals as well and is more likely to agree to a request she receives in writing because she has time to look it over. Satisfaction Level: 6 |
