This is my PSA for Project 4. I wrote the script and supplied the photos for this video. However, the girl in the video is not me, it is my friend. She is far more photogenic than I am.
I am involved with the organization called Compassion International. I pay a monthly amount of $40 that goes towards helping a child who lives in poverty. There are children on every continent in need of support that we as Americans can provide.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Project 4- Collaborative Writing
Right now I am finding myself at the verge of becoming overwhelmed with school. As I type this, I’m experiencing a cold complete with fever and sinus pressure. I’m trying to push through the obstacles to finish the semester hard and not slack off even on these blog posts.
I have not yet begun Project 4. My overall career goal is focused around doing AIDS research. I know of several resources to find videos and photos that would support my main idea of the project.
I feel connected to research on this virus due to the call on my life from God. I know that I have been given a certain potential and interest in science that I need to utilize. I am distraught over the millions of lives that are taken by this deadly virus before the victims have had the opportunity to live. In the United States we have so much knowledge about prevention and treatment; there are clinics that do HIV testing for free for students and individual identity is confidential. The rise in homosexuality and nonexclusive relationships in our country is correlated with the increase in sexually transmitted infections and HIV. To be tested is a simple process; while it may be humiliating or awkward, it is by far more important for health and life than a few moments of discomfort.
In contrast, the poor nations of this world are relying on advanced countries to perform the needed research and share it with the world. I would like to be a part of this community that is focused on sharing life and putting a handle on this disease. Treatment is available for HIV. However, if left untreated, the virus becomes “full- blown” AIDS, in which one will eventually die from.
The people of third world nations do not have access or else not enough money to utilize the clinics nearby to see the doctor or to pay for medicines. These people live in poverty and remote locations. They are children of God and deserve to live a life full of joy and blessing the way we do everyday. I want to use my brain to be a small part of AIDS research and if the Lord leads me, I will travel to these nations to help treat the people there while delivering Bibles and Christianity.
So for my project, I will likely use promotional videos that are geared towards unveiling the sadness and reality behind this terrible virus.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Job Interests
The following list consists of a few opportunities that I have been considering over the past couple of months. A couple are realistic for the immediate future and the others are more of long- term goals.
To reiterate, I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Chemistry. It is my desire to attend graduate school and maintain a Ph.D in Virology or Microbiology/ Immunology. I would like to do AIDS research and perhaps one day work in a renowned lab in the United States with other scientists.
*1. Summer Internship for this summer or next summer that several MS college students have participated with over the past few years. It is a paid, ten- week position working with NASA or other well- known institutions doing work related to one's major.
http://ms.spacegrant.org/index.php?page=wfd-intern-program
*2. Undergraduate Research with a (biology) professor. This is something that I hope to do beginning in the Fall semester. I am looking for a professor that is currently doing research in something related to what I am studying and potentially doing research for him. This will give me experience as well as something to put on a resume.
*3. Graduate Program: This school is in North Carolina. They offer a Ph.D program that allows study and direct work with an AIDS center that is in collaboration with the university. I find this school to be particularly interesting due to its credibility as a university as well as its impressive credentials offered to doctoral students. The location is also something I admire; the state of North Carolina is beautiful and I have wanted to live in that general location for a long time.
http://www.med.unc.edu/microimm
*4. Center for Disease Control- Atlanta. This is a component of the federal government that is responsible for the research, vaccination of, and prevention of major diseases within the United States as well as being familiar with deadly viruses and pathogens that exist in the world. Top scientists work for the CDC and are responsible for immediate action when the situation presents itself in a national crisis. There are also many international positions offered by the CDC.
http://www.cdc.gov/employment/
The qualifications for these four options are generally the same: an impressive resume, proven interest in the field and study of Microbiology, proven academic ability to handle the course work and research, as well as dedication to the demands of time that go along with it. For school and jobs, recommendation letters from esteemed professors/ professionals who know you are necessary.
Considering that I have just recently changed my major this semester, my list of qualifications for these four goals is rather slim. Last summer I participated at an overnight summer- camp that is held for children suffering from cancer and their siblings. I served on the medical staff and assisted the nurses with their jobs.
This Spring semester I have also had the opportunity to assist with science fairs at USM. This week I am judging the elementary division.
Lately I have been getting to know my Biology professor on a personal level. We have spoken on several occasions about personal interests and my career goals. She was kind enough to write a recommendation letter for me earlier in the semester when I was applying for scholarships. It is important for me to maintain such personal relationships with my professors in the future so that not only will they be willing to write letters for me, but that the recommendations will be personal with genuine desire for my acceptance into the school or job position.
It is important that I make as high of a gpa as possible from here on out. My grades are an essential requirement into graduate programs, especially ones of higher caliber with the best resources and faculty. My dream to do AIDS research will only benefit from being well rounded in academics as well as maintaining an undergraduate job or research opportunity with my professors. These are things that I will highlight in my cover letter and resume.
In the closest foreseeable future, I would especially like to apply to UNC's doctoral program to study Microbiology and Immunology. I would go about writing a cover letter and resume to show my qualifications as well as why I am well suited for the program. I would explain why the school would benefit from having me as a successful student in their program.
To reiterate, I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Chemistry. It is my desire to attend graduate school and maintain a Ph.D in Virology or Microbiology/ Immunology. I would like to do AIDS research and perhaps one day work in a renowned lab in the United States with other scientists.
*1. Summer Internship for this summer or next summer that several MS college students have participated with over the past few years. It is a paid, ten- week position working with NASA or other well- known institutions doing work related to one's major.
http://ms.spacegrant.org/index.php?page=wfd-intern-program
*2. Undergraduate Research with a (biology) professor. This is something that I hope to do beginning in the Fall semester. I am looking for a professor that is currently doing research in something related to what I am studying and potentially doing research for him. This will give me experience as well as something to put on a resume.
*3. Graduate Program: This school is in North Carolina. They offer a Ph.D program that allows study and direct work with an AIDS center that is in collaboration with the university. I find this school to be particularly interesting due to its credibility as a university as well as its impressive credentials offered to doctoral students. The location is also something I admire; the state of North Carolina is beautiful and I have wanted to live in that general location for a long time.
http://www.med.unc.edu/microimm
*4. Center for Disease Control- Atlanta. This is a component of the federal government that is responsible for the research, vaccination of, and prevention of major diseases within the United States as well as being familiar with deadly viruses and pathogens that exist in the world. Top scientists work for the CDC and are responsible for immediate action when the situation presents itself in a national crisis. There are also many international positions offered by the CDC.
http://www.cdc.gov/employment/
The qualifications for these four options are generally the same: an impressive resume, proven interest in the field and study of Microbiology, proven academic ability to handle the course work and research, as well as dedication to the demands of time that go along with it. For school and jobs, recommendation letters from esteemed professors/ professionals who know you are necessary.
Considering that I have just recently changed my major this semester, my list of qualifications for these four goals is rather slim. Last summer I participated at an overnight summer- camp that is held for children suffering from cancer and their siblings. I served on the medical staff and assisted the nurses with their jobs.
This Spring semester I have also had the opportunity to assist with science fairs at USM. This week I am judging the elementary division.
Lately I have been getting to know my Biology professor on a personal level. We have spoken on several occasions about personal interests and my career goals. She was kind enough to write a recommendation letter for me earlier in the semester when I was applying for scholarships. It is important for me to maintain such personal relationships with my professors in the future so that not only will they be willing to write letters for me, but that the recommendations will be personal with genuine desire for my acceptance into the school or job position.
It is important that I make as high of a gpa as possible from here on out. My grades are an essential requirement into graduate programs, especially ones of higher caliber with the best resources and faculty. My dream to do AIDS research will only benefit from being well rounded in academics as well as maintaining an undergraduate job or research opportunity with my professors. These are things that I will highlight in my cover letter and resume.
In the closest foreseeable future, I would especially like to apply to UNC's doctoral program to study Microbiology and Immunology. I would go about writing a cover letter and resume to show my qualifications as well as why I am well suited for the program. I would explain why the school would benefit from having me as a successful student in their program.
Week 6
This is my revision of the e-mail sample given to us. I think that overall the e-mail should be more cordial yet still maintain the tone originally set by the author. The author is upset by the continued incidents and demands a change; he lets his opinions be known by his straight forward approach and bluntly states his mind. He knows that the mistakes did not occur in his particular office and is standing up for his staff members. He did research and can confidently make the claim that the clerks' performed inadequately.
My changes include a more elaborate approach on what the author originally stated as well as offering new suggestions to address the problem. I changed the wording to be respectful yet displeased.
To: T. Leoni, Manager, Personnel Department
From: Donald Pryzblo, Manager, Data Processing Department
Subject: INCORRECT PAYROLL CHECKS
Mr. Leoni,
I have been reviewing the “errors” in the computer files and would like to express my opinion.
I disagree with what was discussed in our meeting; by summarizing the series of events with my staff and analyzing the paperwork myself, I feel as though the mistakes were made in the clerks' office rather than by the computer operators.
I took it upon myself to examine the time sheets, time tickets, and computer files associated with the 37 incorrect payroll checks; in 35 cases, it can be noted that the clerks made the errors.
You and I discussed requiring my computer operators to perform the very time-consuming task of comparing their entries against the time sheets from which your clerks are miscopying. I feel that this is not practical; my staff do not have the means of time to perform this request.
I cannot hire additional help to adhere to this suggestion. It is my opinion that there should be an institution of requiring the clerks be more thorough while doing their jobs so that such mistakes will not continue to happen.
If we address the problem in every department rather than putting the blame solely on one, this matter may be handled more smoothly and quickly. It should be required of every staff member to slow down yet remain efficient in their position in order to prevent further mishaps.
I recommend that you tell your clerks to review their work carefully before giving it to the computer operators.
My changes include a more elaborate approach on what the author originally stated as well as offering new suggestions to address the problem. I changed the wording to be respectful yet displeased.
To: T. Leoni, Manager, Personnel Department
From: Donald Pryzblo, Manager, Data Processing Department
Subject: INCORRECT PAYROLL CHECKS
Mr. Leoni,
I have been reviewing the “errors” in the computer files and would like to express my opinion.
I disagree with what was discussed in our meeting; by summarizing the series of events with my staff and analyzing the paperwork myself, I feel as though the mistakes were made in the clerks' office rather than by the computer operators.
I took it upon myself to examine the time sheets, time tickets, and computer files associated with the 37 incorrect payroll checks; in 35 cases, it can be noted that the clerks made the errors.
You and I discussed requiring my computer operators to perform the very time-consuming task of comparing their entries against the time sheets from which your clerks are miscopying. I feel that this is not practical; my staff do not have the means of time to perform this request.
I cannot hire additional help to adhere to this suggestion. It is my opinion that there should be an institution of requiring the clerks be more thorough while doing their jobs so that such mistakes will not continue to happen.
If we address the problem in every department rather than putting the blame solely on one, this matter may be handled more smoothly and quickly. It should be required of every staff member to slow down yet remain efficient in their position in order to prevent further mishaps.
I recommend that you tell your clerks to review their work carefully before giving it to the computer operators.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Other Universities
I viewed the Biology/ Microbiology sections of other universities' websites as if I were a prospective student looking at their programs.
Site 1: The University of Alabama http://bsc.ua.edu/site/ugrad.htm
I really enjoy UA's website; it is easy to maneuver and search for what I am looking for. Their Biology page is self explanatory and makes it very simple for the prospective student to gain a strong understanding of what pursuing a degree there entails.
Site 2: The University of Tennessee http://web.bio.utk.edu/micro/default.htm
UT's website was very unappealing; their use of gray and dull orange colors are not very exciting. Also, I found it very difficult to find what I was looking for related to academic studies. Eventually I was able to locate the major description and a list of general courses for a microbiology degree.
I noticed that it could be considered a norm for the science departments at universities to discuss and attempt to draw students in by discussing the current exciting time in science. This is certainly a true statement. Students who are serious about pursuing a degree within the field of science are looking for universities that offer the best possible education and research opportunities.
1. What are you writing? A brochure that will attract students interested in majoring in my selected profession.
2. What prompts you to write? This assignment is required by my ENG 333 class.
3. What outcome do you desire? A brochure that is appealing to prospective students.
4. What outcome does your reader desire? An appealing source of information that pertains to their major of interest.
1. Who is your primary reader? My instructor
2. What is your reader's relationship to you? Someone who is looking to obtain information that I can provide.
3. What are your reader's job title and responsibilities? The theoretical reader's responsibility would be to look heavily into what the brochure is offering and take all things into consideration.
4. Who else might read your communication? Colleagues and fellow students.
5. How familiar is your reader with your subject? Moderately.
6. How familiar is your reader with your specialty? This would depend on who the reader is and what they are looking to get out of reading the brochure.
7. Does your reader have any communication preferences you should take into account? Readers usually enjoy seeing photographs of the program being advertised. Receiving visual aids helps students make decisions.
8. Should you take into account any other things about your reader when writing? Colors, font, and level of writing.
What events and circumstances influence the way you should write?
Where my writing is being published/ where it is going to appear. Also, who I know is going to be reading it.
1. What are the key questions your reader will ask while reading? What can I get out of this?
2. How will your reader search for the answer? Key terms.
3. How will your reader use the information you provide? Attempt to determine how the information you provide will affect him or her/ Attempt to determine how the information you provide will affect him or her.
1. What is your reader's attitude toward your subject? Why? What do you want it to be? I want the reader to share a common interest in the subject so much so that they are considering my university to obtain a high level of education. Their current attitude is probably that of interest and in search of how they can benefit from my provided information.
2. What is your reader's attitude toward you? Why? What do you want it to be? They are probably indifferent.
1. Who are stakeholders in your communication? Myself, my boss, my colleagues.
2. How will they be affected by it? If I am writing a brochure that is to draw prospective students in, my colleagues would be affected because those students may, in fact, end up attending our university.
What expectations, regulations, or other factors limit the way you can write? By being familiar with other sources of similar information, the author should keep in mind and use parallel strategies of writing.
Site 1: The University of Alabama http://bsc.ua.edu/site/ugrad.htm
I really enjoy UA's website; it is easy to maneuver and search for what I am looking for. Their Biology page is self explanatory and makes it very simple for the prospective student to gain a strong understanding of what pursuing a degree there entails.
Site 2: The University of Tennessee http://web.bio.utk.edu/micro/default.htm
UT's website was very unappealing; their use of gray and dull orange colors are not very exciting. Also, I found it very difficult to find what I was looking for related to academic studies. Eventually I was able to locate the major description and a list of general courses for a microbiology degree.
I noticed that it could be considered a norm for the science departments at universities to discuss and attempt to draw students in by discussing the current exciting time in science. This is certainly a true statement. Students who are serious about pursuing a degree within the field of science are looking for universities that offer the best possible education and research opportunities.
1. What are you writing? A brochure that will attract students interested in majoring in my selected profession.
2. What prompts you to write? This assignment is required by my ENG 333 class.
3. What outcome do you desire? A brochure that is appealing to prospective students.
4. What outcome does your reader desire? An appealing source of information that pertains to their major of interest.
1. Who is your primary reader? My instructor
2. What is your reader's relationship to you? Someone who is looking to obtain information that I can provide.
3. What are your reader's job title and responsibilities? The theoretical reader's responsibility would be to look heavily into what the brochure is offering and take all things into consideration.
4. Who else might read your communication? Colleagues and fellow students.
5. How familiar is your reader with your subject? Moderately.
6. How familiar is your reader with your specialty? This would depend on who the reader is and what they are looking to get out of reading the brochure.
7. Does your reader have any communication preferences you should take into account? Readers usually enjoy seeing photographs of the program being advertised. Receiving visual aids helps students make decisions.
8. Should you take into account any other things about your reader when writing? Colors, font, and level of writing.
What events and circumstances influence the way you should write?
Where my writing is being published/ where it is going to appear. Also, who I know is going to be reading it.
1. What are the key questions your reader will ask while reading? What can I get out of this?
2. How will your reader search for the answer? Key terms.
3. How will your reader use the information you provide? Attempt to determine how the information you provide will affect him or her/ Attempt to determine how the information you provide will affect him or her.
1. What is your reader's attitude toward your subject? Why? What do you want it to be? I want the reader to share a common interest in the subject so much so that they are considering my university to obtain a high level of education. Their current attitude is probably that of interest and in search of how they can benefit from my provided information.
2. What is your reader's attitude toward you? Why? What do you want it to be? They are probably indifferent.
1. Who are stakeholders in your communication? Myself, my boss, my colleagues.
2. How will they be affected by it? If I am writing a brochure that is to draw prospective students in, my colleagues would be affected because those students may, in fact, end up attending our university.
What expectations, regulations, or other factors limit the way you can write? By being familiar with other sources of similar information, the author should keep in mind and use parallel strategies of writing.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Week 4/5
I am having difficulty finding on Blackboard our Blog post requirements. However, my next post with this week's assignment will be coming tonight because I think that I finally figured it out! I use a Mac computer which may hinder Blackboard's accessibility for me.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Analysis of My Own Writing
I just submitted Project 1 on Blackboard. I was concerned about having difficulty choosing a paper that I have previously written. However, I found one that is relevant to the current assignment. I actually finished Project 1 very rapidly; it was not nearly as difficult as I had envisioned. The hardest part is definitely simply choosing a paper of your own to analyze.
The piece I wrote about is one that I wrote for my BSC 381 class last Spring semester. It is a scientific paper that requires a great deal of understanding in order to write it. Looking back, that is probably my favorite paper out of everything I have written. Call me a nerd, but I really enjoy Microbiology :) While there is nothing I would change, given the opportunity, I enjoyed analyzing the purpose for my writing and analyzing who my audience is. Project 1 has motivated me to keep in mind my audience and the level of writing that they expect from me as well as the level they will tolerate. There is no room for laziness; we must put forth all of our effort the first time in order to succeed in our chosen fields.
The piece I wrote about is one that I wrote for my BSC 381 class last Spring semester. It is a scientific paper that requires a great deal of understanding in order to write it. Looking back, that is probably my favorite paper out of everything I have written. Call me a nerd, but I really enjoy Microbiology :) While there is nothing I would change, given the opportunity, I enjoyed analyzing the purpose for my writing and analyzing who my audience is. Project 1 has motivated me to keep in mind my audience and the level of writing that they expect from me as well as the level they will tolerate. There is no room for laziness; we must put forth all of our effort the first time in order to succeed in our chosen fields.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)