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