Lessons Learned.

Success in any career can be determined by one's ability to effectively communicate.  A balance must be maintained in conveying concise and valid information in a professional way that also includes an element of creativity.  Throughout ALES 204, I have been introduced to so many ways of accessing information and connecting with the world.  It has become apparent how my role as a communicator ties into what I have learned.

Using Twitter for the first time has shown me how I can stay connected  (and updated) with professionals in my field.  Just the other day, I received some useful information from a Registered Dietitian; this was someone I had connected with for an assignment.  She had posted recent findings on Omega-3 fatty acids, which actually ended up supporting what I was currently learning about in a few of my courses.  Twitter has also been helpful in teaching me to be more concise with my messages (only 140 characters per Tweet?!!).

            Social media icons.

Before Twitter, Facebook was the only form of social media I was making use of to stay in touch with friends; I was not aware of how Facebook could be important for job applications.  As described in a previous post, the Facebook assignment introduced me to creating pages which serve as an e-Resume.  My classmate, Kelvin, agrees that this could provide potential employers with a more dynamic form of media which would convey a bit more about me.  In addition, the info-graphic posted on the class blog illustrated how everyday Facebook activity can impact my chances for employment, as well as the affect this can have on any achieved positions within a company.  As an aside, I also found the presentation on unique CV building provided the class with some great examples of how to stand out from the crowd (i.e. T-shirts & tube maps!)

The lessons which I think will be the most useful in my field of interest are the Google Docs, the advice on professional communication, and the tips on public speaking.  Since I hope to be employed as a clinical dietitian, I will be expected to correspond with a team of health professionals.  Efficient and professional verbal and written communication will be imperative.  For example, real-time exchange of information on a patient via Google Docs would allow a quick and efficient way of diagnosing and help to provide the best treatment.  Good relationships among members of the team would be maintained by exercising professional written (i.e. emails) and verbal skills.  The public speaking and presenting skills will be useful in providing informative and memorable talks for nutritional workshops, for example.  Displaying signs of confidence using the right body language and active engagement with the audience were stressed as important factors; I will also try to wear something red!  Click here to learn more about the important role of dietitians in health care.

Of all the assignments during ALES 204, I have to say that the Wikipedia article update was my favourite.  To actually research and compose an online article which provides the world with information has given me a sense of achievement; I cannot imagine how it would feel to have your own research published!  In fact, putting this E-Portfolio together has been an entirely new experience for me.  It has given me a chance to express my creative side and communicate to others why I am interested in Nutrition and why they should be too!



Comments on Classmates Blogs:  Angelina, Farzana, Karly, Belle

 References
Social media icon. Retrieved December 5, 2011 from
http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=social+media+icons&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=587&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=sZnRUOOfz1FNBM:&imgrefurl=http://www.rankraiser.com/rr/simple-and-clean-social-media-icons/&docid=RjvKczPa1ZRrBM&imgurl=http://www.rankraiser.com/rr/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/social-media-icons.jpg&w=524&h=528&ei=caPdTv-nEcGaiQKbt-HhCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1095&vpy=156&dur=203&hovh=225&hovw=224&tx=174&ty=147&sig=107522524356943667356&page=1&tbnh=110&tbnw=113&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

An inspiring man...

One of my greatest role models has been "the Naked Chef", Jamie Oliver.  He has been such an amazing advocate for the importance of nutritious foods; first in the U.K. and then progressively throughout the rest of the world.  This turned him into a global phenomenon.  His passion for food translated not only into a hit TV show, but also flourished into a variety of projects including revamping primary and secondary school meal programs which aimed at educating children and school staff on healthy meal preparation.

Jamie's success could not have come without his very effective ability to communicate; this is something my classmate Annalise agrees is very important in the field of Nutrition. His laid back and straight forward, simple approach to healthy meal preparation has captured the attention of audiences around the world; first with his T.V. cooking show, then with his recipe books and then further into documentary film making.  These documentaries feature Jamie giving presentations, mostly to school children, with a very interactive and hands-on approach to learning about food.  His method of communicating his "food revolution" message has had a lasting impact and has earned him many awards.  See the following clip of his acceptance of the TED award which displays his impeccable public speaking skills.

Jamie's visual media presence is extended into his online presence.  His website features interactive discussions regarding food and lifestyle, a frequently updated recipe list, news feeds, surveys, and video posts highlighting his recent messages.  Fans are invited to stay connected and updated by following him on Facebook and Twitter.  By using effective oral, written and online communication, Jamie Oliver has been able to share his ideas to improve the health and wellbeing of others.

References
Jamie Oliver Image. Retrieved December 3, 2011 from http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=jamie+oliver+images&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=587&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=lhoie625Y_Z7LM:&imgrefurl=http://www.sugarslam.com/abc-pulls-jamie-olivers-food-revolution/&docid=QP7gkQvgdNLeXM&imgurl=http://www.sugarslam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/jamie-oliver-food-revolution.jpg&w=600&h=480&ei=-9XbTvfhK4ekiQLbqezUBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=141&sig=107522524356943667356&page=7&tbnh=108&tbnw=129&start=160&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:160&tx=89&ty=55

Wikipedia "Stub" Update

The Wikipedia stub article that I chose to update was on the topic of postpartum thyroiditis.  This is a transient thyroid disease that affects women within the year after they have given birth.  Please click here to view my article update.

This topic was of interest to me because, as an aspiring nutrition professional, I am keen to learn more about metabolic disorders.  Moreover, any subject area which pertains to maternal or paediatric health usually catches my eye.  Diseases associated with the thyroid are not uncommon and can have a major impact on an individuals’ health.  I have seen this first hand since several women in my family have developed thyroiditis which may have been linked to a previous pregnancy.  However, since screening for this condition postpartum tends to be overlooked, this connection could not be made.  And, as I have learned while updating this article, diet can both influence the onset of this disease, as well as affect the ability to manage it with medication.  An understanding of the appropriate management of this disease would be an asset as a dietician when counselling patients regarding their own health, and as I have learned while researching this topic, the health of any future children.

I remember when I first heard about Wikipedia, and I thought, that’s a catchy name you’re not going to forget!  The name links the words “quick” with encyclopaedia; this basically says it all.  This site provides an easily accessible, starting point for the general public to gather information on a topic of interest.  The articles present clear and focused information which is scientifically supported; this provides the researcher with readily understandable and valid information.  Furthermore, the information is presented from a fair viewpoint, which will prevent an unbiased interpretation of the subject area.  Features of the articles, such as the references and the links help to guide the reader to other sources of information or other articles within Wikipedia.  These features are important in supplying the reader with a more in-depth understanding of the topic.  Much like my fellow student Farzana, once I had mastered the technique of adding text, links, and referencing, I really enjoyed completing this assignment.

Since Wikipedia can be updated, reviewed, and edited by anyone, it serves as a hub of communication for the sharing of knowledge.  All that is required is to set up an account and then learn the user-friendly “Wikicode”.  Communication occurs amongst members to discuss updates and to make suggestions, in effect, its own social network.  This site represents a form of connecting people and their knowledge, and then making that knowledge accessible to the world.

References
Wikipedia screen capture. Retrieved December 5, 2011 from J. Brown personal collection.

Facebook e-Resume....I Like!

Just when I thought I knew all that Facebook could offer, I get introduced to the concept of a Facebook resume.  The idea of creating a page used solely to represent myself as a professional did not ever dawn on me.  This is a great way to 'sell yourself' to the potential employer by giving them a better idea of who you are, but still keeping your personal life separate.  This assignment has been effective in demonstrating how versatile social media can be.  Follow the link to view the e-Resume I created on Facebook. It will give you a bit more information about me!

To elaborate and clarify some of the information on my Facebook page, I have completed a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta back in 2002. So I am currently working on my second degree! After finishing my first degree, I worked for 6 years in the field of environmental consulting. During this time, I gained experience working around the oil sands in Fort McMurray, Alberta.  I had the amazing opportunity to assist in some research my company was conducting to discover new techniques in reclaiming the land that had been mined.  In addition to this, I also took part in large-scale soil and vegetation surveys where I analyzed soil profiles and identified plant species.  Personally, I always enjoyed catching sight of wildlife while working. Some of my favourite encounters included a baby Black Bear, a Great Grey Owl and a Lynx!!  After careful consideration, I made the move to change my career. A tough decision, but the right one in the end. I have no regrets about the time I spent in my former career and I greatly value all of the amazing experiences I never would have had.  I am so excited to be on a new path and I look forward to new challenges.

Working in that industry, it was certainly clear that communication played a huge role when dealing with the public and, more importantly, for the health and safety of all those around you. This is something I'm sure Laura will learn throughout her education and future work experience.  I do recall several instances where some personal communications on Facebook ended up resulting in threatened legal action on the company I was working for at the time.  These serious cases involved photos of co-workers without their required safety gear, while they were still on the worksite.  The less serious cases involved "bad mouthing" co-workers on friends-of-friends walls.  After hearing about this at a staff meeting, it became quite apparent how powerful the misuse of social media can be. If you don't have something appropriate to post, don't post it at all!

References
Facebook screen capture. Retrieved December 6, 2001 from http://flic.kr/p/aRJBNk and http://flic.kr/p/aRVT2t

Introduction...

Hello Everyone!  My name is Jenny Brown and I have a philosophy on food. It is really simple, and pretty much common sense, but it seems to be something we have lost touch with as the world got too busy.  In a nutshell, this is it; we need to remind ourselves to invest time and thought into planning and preparing balanced, enjoyable meals of reasonable proportions.  With the pace of life getting faster and faster, this simple concept became lost to quick and convenient, super-sized foods and beverages which had fewer nutrients and many more calories.  This evolving lifestyle led to the battle of the bulge which resulted in the development of radical, “fad” diets, some of which were cutting out really nutritious foods!!  Once the market boomed on these miracle diets, more and more evolved and the followers lost sight of a very simple concept.

My developing interest in the field of health care, most specifically nutrition, is not a surprising one.  Growing up, I had the privilege of learning about the nutrients in our food, as well as, the multitude of health benefits associated with regular exercise.  I was surrounded by health professionals who not only supplied me with this knowledge, but also a level of paranoia due to too much information at too young an age.  Imagine a 10 year-old at a birthday party telling other kids that the nitrates in their hot dogs were bad for them!  At that age, I didn’t quite understand the concept of “there is a time and a place for everything”.  Throughout my teenage years and into my twenties, I became very active in martial arts and wall/rock climbing.  This period in my life instilled my love of physical activity which has stayed with me to this day.  In recent years, I joined a ballroom dance club and started receiving instruction privately in order to compete.  Due to the intensity of my daily routine during this time, I became very conscience of the physical changes to my body and began paying close attention to my diet; in particular maintaining a balanced caloric intake with a good supply of nutrients.  Several other dancers in the club were dietitians, and conversations with them really got me motivated into pursuing it as a new career.

Fast forward to present day!  I am currently pursuing a degree in Nutrition at the University of Alberta.  Upon successful completion of my degree, much like my fellow classmate Angelina, I hope to be accepted into the Dietitian Internship Program and become a Registered Dietitian.  Based on my job shadowing experience, I am most interested in the area of nutritional science that focuses on treating individuals dealing with chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, as well as those managing obesity.  Other areas of interest include maternal and paediatric nutrition.  These are just a few areas in which a dietitian can be employed.  The diverse opportunities available indicate the importance of communication skills required to be successful in this field.  A dietitian is expected to counsel patients individually, educate groups during nutritional workshops, prepare written reports for other health care professionals to assess, and present the latest news in nutrition at conferences.  Being able to communicate (and network) effectively on paper, online and in person, will help to ensure success in this profession.  The Dietitians of Canada website can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.dietitians.ca/.  This site is a great resource for learning more about the roles of dietitians.


References
Burger/apple image. Retrieved October 15, 2011 from http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=healthy+food&start=408&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=587&tbm=isch&tbnid=-QC7CEluje2HiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/sitemaker/websitefiles/phri532294/saharabody.cfm%3Fid%3D560&docid=8n1s66Lp_5zC4M&imgurl=http://nutrihealth.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/food_choices.png&w=200&h=200&ei=R020TumeKeqaiQL5oJiGAQ&zoom=1&chk=sbg&iact=rc&dur=125&sig=107522524356943667356&page=18&tbnh=108&tbnw=108&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:408&tx=81&ty=46


Dancing image. Retrieved October 15, 2011 from http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=ballroom+dancing&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=587&tbm=isch&tbnid=T3VZsuAIrMJbDM:&imgrefurl=http://www.twellow.com/categories/ballroom_dancing/page/9&docid=mN2C9sPlLu72IM&imgurl=http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/191537030/BALLROOM_DANCING_PROFILE_bigger.jpg&w=500&h=335&ei=2VK0TsuBGo2GiQKr3omOAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=531&sig=107522524356943667356&page=1&tbnh=106&tbnw=135&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0&tx=57&ty=7