I have confirmed that I will be earning my Master of Science in Public Communications & Technology from Colorado State University at the end of this semester. So now I just have the task ahead of me of getting a job.
I am still working as an unpaid intern at Beet Street, and my writing portfolio has expanded considerably. I even had a small series of articles printed in the local newspaper (though Beet Street was credited with the writing). So things are looking far better as I look toward the end of the year compared to last year.
I am going to start taking online tutorials in CSS and Javascript, as I have come to the conclusion that my knowledge of HTML isn't enough for companies to pay attention to my resume. I may also take a few tutorials in C++ and maybe Linux or Unix, depending on how well I adapt to the language. I remember learning HTML was super-easy, and while that was almost eight years ago, I still know enough to make a webpage without having to cheat and look up codes. I will see how it goes, and if I really like it, I'll try to check out some advanced courses.
If you'd like to see what kind of writing I'm doing for Beet Street's Arts Incubtor of the Rockies (AIR) initiative now, you can go to: http://airartsincubator.org/blog.
If you'd like to read the articles that were printed in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, here are the links to the last two articles (all the others went to the archives):
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120621/ENTERTAINMENT/306210001/Streetmosphere-showcases-work-HalfMoon-Arts-youth
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120628/ENTERTAINMENT/306280003/Avery-House-hosts-Streetmosphere-Fourth-July
As this is Monday, I will wish you all a good week!
-AMW
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Writing Means Researching
It is Memorial Day, and I would like to thank all the people in our armed forces for their service, past and present. I have several men who have served in the armed forces in my family, including my dad, and so I deeply respect those who are willing and able to join the fight to keep our country safe and free.
Now, since I have a free day, I decided to take some time and update the blog. First of all, I have successfully defended my thesis, which means I am going to get my Master of Science in Public Communications and Technology, and I'm officially done Summer Semester 2012!!! Huzzah!
Secondly, I have been super busy with Beet Street, writing for them and researching in order to do more articles. I've also had my responsibilities augmented so that I'm writing for Beet Street's AIR and their Streetmosphere programs. So far, I have done two blog posts for AIR, and as of this blog, one article for Streetmosphere, which is in the Coloradoan, though more will be published over the course of the coming month. I have a lot of things to look into prior to making blog posts, which is fun, and I'm discovering a lot about Colorado and the art scene here that I didn't know beforehand.
If you want to read the two blog posts I've done for Beet Street's AIR, you can go here:
http://airartsincubator.org/blog/p?=432
http://airartsincubator.org/blog/p?=438
If you want to read the article I've done for Beet Street's Streetmosphere, you can go here:
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120524/ENTERTAINMENT/305240002/Expect-experimentation-from-Matt-Smiley-Streetmosphere?nclick_check=1
I do have to say it's rather neat to have a published bit of work in a newspaper; I don't get writer's credit because I am but a lowly unpaid intern, but I do get to add it to my portfolio of writing samples. I am hoping that all of this writing will help get me a really good job by the end of the summer, if not earlier.
Cheers,
AMW
Now, since I have a free day, I decided to take some time and update the blog. First of all, I have successfully defended my thesis, which means I am going to get my Master of Science in Public Communications and Technology, and I'm officially done Summer Semester 2012!!! Huzzah!
Secondly, I have been super busy with Beet Street, writing for them and researching in order to do more articles. I've also had my responsibilities augmented so that I'm writing for Beet Street's AIR and their Streetmosphere programs. So far, I have done two blog posts for AIR, and as of this blog, one article for Streetmosphere, which is in the Coloradoan, though more will be published over the course of the coming month. I have a lot of things to look into prior to making blog posts, which is fun, and I'm discovering a lot about Colorado and the art scene here that I didn't know beforehand.
If you want to read the two blog posts I've done for Beet Street's AIR, you can go here:
http://airartsincubator.org/blog/p?=432
http://airartsincubator.org/blog/p?=438
If you want to read the article I've done for Beet Street's Streetmosphere, you can go here:
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120524/ENTERTAINMENT/305240002/Expect-experimentation-from-Matt-Smiley-Streetmosphere?nclick_check=1
I do have to say it's rather neat to have a published bit of work in a newspaper; I don't get writer's credit because I am but a lowly unpaid intern, but I do get to add it to my portfolio of writing samples. I am hoping that all of this writing will help get me a really good job by the end of the summer, if not earlier.
Cheers,
AMW
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Internship Acquired & Countdown to Degree
I am now an intern at Beet Street in Fort Collins, Colorado. I am primarily writing articles for newsletters and blogs for the Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) initiative, but I get to help with other things in the office as well. I finished my first "week" on the job (I have a 10-15 hour work week) yesterday, and it feels fantastic to be useful again.
http://www.beetstreet.org
http://www.airartsincubator.org
In other news, this coming Thursday I am defending my thesis. I have a Prezi just about finished and I have plans to make cookies as refreshments are generally served with the presentation. So hopefully this time next week I will have attained my Master of Science in Public Communications & Technology.
Things are definitely looking up!
Cheers,
-AMW
http://www.beetstreet.org
http://www.airartsincubator.org
In other news, this coming Thursday I am defending my thesis. I have a Prezi just about finished and I have plans to make cookies as refreshments are generally served with the presentation. So hopefully this time next week I will have attained my Master of Science in Public Communications & Technology.
Things are definitely looking up!
Cheers,
-AMW
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Job Fairs
Today I'm getting ready to go to a job fair. I have my resume all up to date, I have business cards, I am dressed and groomed. I figured I should update the blog today, not only because it is overdue, but because the web address for the blog is on my business cards.
To the employers, consider this a very short writing sample or cover letter:
Hello again! I'm sure that if I gave you my business card and resume, then it was a pleasure to meet you, and I am interested in working for your company. My luck finding a job on my own has been less than stellar, despite the fact that I've been working on finding a job whenever I'm not working on my thesis. My work ethic is solid and I like working to earn my keep, I just need a foot in the door. I am willing to shadow a person on the job to learn the ropes for your particular office/workspace, and I learn quickly.
Please use the contact information on my business card and/or resume if you would like to interview me for a job. I can do marketing, some PR or journalism, or general office duties. I work well solo as well as with a group, and I have leadership experience.
Sincerely,
Alice M. Weaver
P.S.: If you would like to check out my profile on LinkedIn, here is the link:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alice-weaver/37/63b/498
-AMW
To the employers, consider this a very short writing sample or cover letter:
Hello again! I'm sure that if I gave you my business card and resume, then it was a pleasure to meet you, and I am interested in working for your company. My luck finding a job on my own has been less than stellar, despite the fact that I've been working on finding a job whenever I'm not working on my thesis. My work ethic is solid and I like working to earn my keep, I just need a foot in the door. I am willing to shadow a person on the job to learn the ropes for your particular office/workspace, and I learn quickly.
Please use the contact information on my business card and/or resume if you would like to interview me for a job. I can do marketing, some PR or journalism, or general office duties. I work well solo as well as with a group, and I have leadership experience.
Sincerely,
Alice M. Weaver
P.S.: If you would like to check out my profile on LinkedIn, here is the link:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alice-weaver/37/63b/498
-AMW
Friday, March 9, 2012
UPDATE: The Musical!
The thesis is written and turned into one of my professors for the first round of edits!
In other news, I'm still trying to acquire a job by sending out a healthy amount of resumes and cover letters, as well as going through application forms online.
As for the title of today's entry, I find that listening to music is a good way to keep myself motivated when I'm getting the silent treatment from possible employers. I'm not going to give up or despair just because I don't hear back from a business I applied to for work. There are too many people out there who are much worse off than I am at the moment, so I'm going to keep my head up and my eyes locked on my goals: to get my Master of Science and to get a job.
I applied to 10 different places yesterday, all "entry level" positions save for one that would have me flexing my managerial skills more than my writing abilities, but it's technically in the veterinary industry, so I'm rather partial to it. All the other places would have me in the medical industry (for humans, not animals) in some capacity, usually administrative, which is fine because I'm familiar with a medical office set-up.
All in all, this past month or so has been good to me (stressful, to be sure, but good).
In other news, I'm still trying to acquire a job by sending out a healthy amount of resumes and cover letters, as well as going through application forms online.
As for the title of today's entry, I find that listening to music is a good way to keep myself motivated when I'm getting the silent treatment from possible employers. I'm not going to give up or despair just because I don't hear back from a business I applied to for work. There are too many people out there who are much worse off than I am at the moment, so I'm going to keep my head up and my eyes locked on my goals: to get my Master of Science and to get a job.
I applied to 10 different places yesterday, all "entry level" positions save for one that would have me flexing my managerial skills more than my writing abilities, but it's technically in the veterinary industry, so I'm rather partial to it. All the other places would have me in the medical industry (for humans, not animals) in some capacity, usually administrative, which is fine because I'm familiar with a medical office set-up.
All in all, this past month or so has been good to me (stressful, to be sure, but good).
Friday, January 20, 2012
Post-Holidays Update
Hey Everybody,
Sorry I've been radio-silent (blog-silent?) for two months; between the holidays and such, I've been super-busy.
Good news: I have ALL of my data for my thesis collected, and I've already input all the information into chart form. I have 26 pages worth of charts! Once I have all of my appendices printed out, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have about 75 pages of content, not including my actual thesis. I'm also on target for defending my thesis and getting my degree this semester!
Bad news: Unemployed again. The part-time job I had finally gotten by my last post was great for a week-and-a-half, and then there were timing and scheduling issues within the company and I was laid off. I was paid for my time, and the boss told me that she'd love to have me back when she got the call center back up if I was still available. I still haven't heard from her, even though I did call this week and left a message telling her I was available. I also haven't been able to garner an interview anywhere else, either.
So, I have my work cut out for me, but I know I can finish my thesis on time and get a job; I just have to keep believing in myself.
-AMW
Sorry I've been radio-silent (blog-silent?) for two months; between the holidays and such, I've been super-busy.
Good news: I have ALL of my data for my thesis collected, and I've already input all the information into chart form. I have 26 pages worth of charts! Once I have all of my appendices printed out, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have about 75 pages of content, not including my actual thesis. I'm also on target for defending my thesis and getting my degree this semester!
Bad news: Unemployed again. The part-time job I had finally gotten by my last post was great for a week-and-a-half, and then there were timing and scheduling issues within the company and I was laid off. I was paid for my time, and the boss told me that she'd love to have me back when she got the call center back up if I was still available. I still haven't heard from her, even though I did call this week and left a message telling her I was available. I also haven't been able to garner an interview anywhere else, either.
So, I have my work cut out for me, but I know I can finish my thesis on time and get a job; I just have to keep believing in myself.
-AMW
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Part-Time Two-Step
I start my new part-time job on Monday, the training portion of it anyway. I will be working customer service, mostly calling to set up appointments for people. The pay is good for the work involved, and it leaves the majority of my days open because I'll be working in the evenings, so I'll still be able to work on gathering data for my thesis.
However, a part-time job, no matter how nice, is not a way to make ends meet in the long-run. Looking for full-time work in my field is the goal, and the part-time job is a stepping stone to get me closer to that goal. This doesn't mean that I will shirk any responsibility while working at the part-time job; it just means that I need to remind myself not to get comfortable, since I have a laundry-list of things to do in order to obtain my goal.
The one perk of having employment is that suddenly a lot of people see you as more employable. I already have one or two people waiting to hear from their bosses before they hire me for short gigs in contract work for proofreading and whatnot. Dad also says that companies love to poach workers from other companies as well; so being able to state that I'm currently working is a definite plus on a resume.
I'll be staying in Fort Collins for the next couple of months, at any rate, and I won't have to move back to Michigan now that I'm employed. I'm looking forward to finally working again and being in an office setting. I'll be able to stay long enough to finish my data collection, write the rest of my thesis and defend it, so I'll be graduating officially in Spring 2012. After that, I'll see where the job offers take me (and if they take me early...well, at least I'll have my data collected by the end of this year).
-AMW
However, a part-time job, no matter how nice, is not a way to make ends meet in the long-run. Looking for full-time work in my field is the goal, and the part-time job is a stepping stone to get me closer to that goal. This doesn't mean that I will shirk any responsibility while working at the part-time job; it just means that I need to remind myself not to get comfortable, since I have a laundry-list of things to do in order to obtain my goal.
The one perk of having employment is that suddenly a lot of people see you as more employable. I already have one or two people waiting to hear from their bosses before they hire me for short gigs in contract work for proofreading and whatnot. Dad also says that companies love to poach workers from other companies as well; so being able to state that I'm currently working is a definite plus on a resume.
I'll be staying in Fort Collins for the next couple of months, at any rate, and I won't have to move back to Michigan now that I'm employed. I'm looking forward to finally working again and being in an office setting. I'll be able to stay long enough to finish my data collection, write the rest of my thesis and defend it, so I'll be graduating officially in Spring 2012. After that, I'll see where the job offers take me (and if they take me early...well, at least I'll have my data collected by the end of this year).
-AMW
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