[jwaggon4Participant]

Here is my portfolio link: http://jocelynwaggoner.wordpress.com/about

-Jocelyn Waggoner

[jwaggon4Participant]

Portfolios are probably the thing that I loathe the most about each semester. I am starting to worry about the portfolio this semester, because I may not be able to show off my full work. I was originally assigned to write a newsletter for the office, however, recently it has been decided that the newsletter will be a magazine publication. I’m really excited about this project. But what if it isn’t completed by the time the portfolio is due? I will have to submit my writings outside of their actual format. How would this look to an actual employer?

Portfolios have to encompass more than just your works. The portfolio has to be designed professionally, also it should represent yourself. A portfolios design is a big concept. If the design is shabby, the audience may think the same of your actual works. If the design incorporates a bunch of flashy colors or even blinking items (such as words) in the background, it may be too harsh on the eyes for your audience. Even having a bunch of different font styles, sizes, and colors will become very distracting and confusing for the reader. All of these may make the audience reluctant to read your portfolio.  Another big key concept to consider while creating your portfolio is flow and usability. Is it easy to get from point a to point b? Does the organization of the works and different sections make sense?

Of course, last but not least, make sure all of the links and works can be accessed easily and that they work properly! Have a friend or relative check from their own computers. It is best to try it on different systems as well, one program may work better on another system. Something may not even work on a different computer system. Ask others for their opinion on your portfolio. Does it make sense to them? Also, proofread everything! You don’t want to have a stupid mistake on your portfolio, such as “Administrative Ass” listed as your previous job title. Whereas, it should be either “Administrative Assistant” or Administrative Ass.,” but I would steer away from abbreviating job titles.  You would be literally making an ass of yourself. Also, make sure you get the title of your business or department correct. At work one day, I sent out an email saying “Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Doesn’t seem wrong does it? Well, it actually is, because it is supposed to be “Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” The big boss informed me of my mistake. A comma, although small, can cause a big problem.

P.S. Steer away from sarcasm in your portfolio. I bet some parts of this discussion didn’t seem very professional of me, for instance, stating that one “would be literally making an ass of” themselves.

[jwaggon4Participant]

I have had an online portfolio or two and I always dreaded them. Like Tiffany and Andrea said, I really did always feel like the papers I had written were just for class. As I went for interviews, I felt inferior, because all of my works were from class. I didn’t have any actual works to show. However, now I am becoming more comfortable showing class works, because I understand that I am still a college student. I have little actual works to show, because I haven’t really had a job related to writing papers and the like.

I do like the idea of an online portfolio, because it allows for an easy access. More people would be able to see it, as well as forwarding it to others. Plus, it cuts down on paper! I bet a lot of companies would enjoy the eco-friendliness of an online portfolio and the fact that they don’t have to worry about paper cuts. Yeah, paper cuts, not a lot of fun. Another problem that it will solve is losing parts of the portfolio if they are ripped from the staple and lost in a dark abyss.

Also, the online portfolio can show off your webpage and layout design skills. Even if you are only able to do the basics, a company can still admire a nice organized and simple portfolio.

[jwaggon4Participant]

I believe that like Liz said performance reviews are important. As interns, we need to know what we are doing right and wrong. It is helpful when we have someone to tell us this. I do fear the performance review that is coming up, but I am also looking forward to it. I want to know how I can better myself. I also want to know what I am good at. The thing I fear most for the performance review is that I am not getting things done in a timely manner. I am currently writing the first newsletter for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. So for the first issue, the newsletter is going to be introducing each of the staff members. It is hard to be able to speak with all of the staff, because they are so busy. I have had to change dates to speak with one of the staff members, because she has had several meetings that run over. I would like to think that I am putting in the most effort that I can, but it seems hard to do when everybody else is so busy.

[jwaggon4Participant]

I originally started looking for internships mid-semester last fall. I was worried that all of the internships would be taken. About a couple days after I emailed people about possible internships, I received a call back from the Social Justice Office on campus. They said they don’t know how I heard about them for an internship. I guess nobody has interned with them from PWE.  They told me that they were actually currently looking for somebody to help out. So I got to start working there a week later. Charlie, the man who I spoke to over the phone, told me that we could see about the internship at the end of the semester. Which is when my work there was supposed to be ending. I ended up working there some over winter break. Once break had started, I still didn’t know whether I had the internship or not. I had two other interviews and was told I could have an internship at one. I didn’t know what to do. I told the woman that I was also trying to get the internship at the Social Justice Office and that I didn’t know whether I had it or not. She said she understood the situation. Finally! I found out that I had the internship at the Social Justice Office.

I enjoy working there, because everybody is so nice and fun. However, I never know if I say too much or if they do. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable or just want to start laughing, because of their outbursts. I don’t want to seem rude, so I don’t laugh and I tell them that I understand. Usually, the equipment starts going haywire and drives us insane.

My fear for the internship is that I won’t be what they expect. I fear that I won’t do my job well enough. Right now, I am working on a newsletter for the office, but I don’t know what to write about for it. I took the lead and am doing what I think could work. My supervisor is out for the entire week, so I haven’t been able to correspond with her about the newsletter. I emailed her a few days ago, but I understand that she is busy and unable to check her emails. I just feel like I’m not going to do a good job on it or have it done by the time frame she wants. I really don’t know when she wants it completed by either.

So I have been trying to get the newsletter done, but I keep worrying that she won’t like it. This worry leads me to writing and rewriting things, changing my ideas, and fearing that it will either be too short or too long. Being an intern is so stressful, especially when all of my classes are high demanding and have a lot of homework. My supervisor understands that school work comes first, but how long will it be until she says that I’m not doing stuff in a timely manner?

[jwaggon4Participant]

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In “Learning to Work with Emotions During an Internship,” we can learn from Sara’s situation. We all know that internships will bring out emotions and situations that we didn’t know we would experience. They offer us an opportunity to begin our lives in our future jobs. We will learn not only different techniques in the business world, but also how to deal with our emotions.  How we deal with the emotions and situations put before us will play a big role in the outcome of how we do in our internship, as well as life. Some internships will require you to deal with really stressful situations, such as people coming in and crying or yelling. What if a person is yelling at you accusing your place of internship for doing something wrong? How would you react: yell, cry, or react calmly? My internship at the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will most likely leave me in a situation like this. I will try my best to react calmly. What if like Sara, we are being too outgoing at work? Will we react professionally and try to adjust or will we take it wrongly?
                In “Expressing Emotion in Interpersonal Interactions,” it says that it isn’t always good to express all of your emotions when asked about how you are. This can also be said for other situations as well. Not all of your coworkers want to know your entire morning and how stressed you are. This can make them feel uncomfortable, because they may not know how to react. There can also be situations when something frustrating happens at work. For instance, the fax machine stops working, the printer keeps jamming, or your computer keeps freezing on you. It would be best not to show anger with the stressor or cuss at it. This can cause your coworkers to feel uncomfortable. So, just imagine your grandmother was in the room with a bar of soap and a wooden ladle. Be cautious of what you say or else you may become reprimanded.
                Do you have any tips for relieving stress from work or how to handle stressful situations?
·         Take a calming, deep breath
·         Go to the bathroom for a moment alone and to think
·         Talk with your supervisor about things that are stressing you out
·         Remember that by staying calm, you are showing not only that you are mature, but courage. You don’t have to belittle yourself to another’s level of yelling. Yelling will only cause a bigger situation and more stress
               

[Author]

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