Reflections

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Reflections

The Course

English 202C is one of the most beneficial courses I have taken during my time at Penn State. I have improved my writing skills on technical areas and this will help me in future. I have gained essential skills and knowledge that will improve my job searching skills. English 202C differs significantly from other English courses because it focuses on issues that affect a person directly. It is more concerned with the purpose, style, and delivering information in the most efficient way. Perhaps the most important lessons I have learnt from the course is the art of breaking the task of writing into different segments. By doing this, I am able to concentrate my efforts on a single task and this has increased my efficiency.

I believe that I have made significant improvements in technical writing and analyzing after taking the class. The knowledge I have acquired fortifies my abilities in and out of the classroom. By combining the skills with the knowledge and experiences I acquire daily from the College of Engineering at Penn State, I will increase my chances of getting internships and career opportunities in the field of nuclear engineering. The work included in this e-portfolio demonstrates the level of knowledge I have acquired from the class. They are a clear indication concerning the practical applicability of the course.

Projects

Internet Resource Guide

The internet resource guide was the second assignment for this class. I was required to write a guide containing useful and credible internet websites and indexes for students majoring in nuclear engineering. The assignment was a learning experience for me. It gave me the chance to identify important internet resources such as department websites, professional societies, research tools, and other internet resources that nuclear engineers would find useful. In addition, I learned how to write abstracts that identify the content and scope of each resource. The assignment broadened my knowledge, as I was able to navigate through different ideas that I was not aware of before taking the course.

Instruction Set

The instruction set assignment required us to write professional instructions on an area of our interest. I wrote about how to make turkey, which is one of my favorite foods. The assignment required me to connect with the audience, because I had to ensure that they understood the process. I had to stop after every step and think about whether the audience had understood what I was saying before proceeding to the next step. In addition, the assignment also equipped me with presentation skills. I learnt how to incorporate contrast and graphics effectively in my work. This makes the document easy to read, follow, and navigate.

Computer Code Project

The assignment was challenging although exciting. I was writing about something I was passionate about and striving to present it in a clear and understandable way. The course gave me an opportunity to apply some of the writing and organizational skills I had acquired. I did not need to explain many terms since my audience was already aware of some of the technical language on the subject.

Why Nuclear Reactors cannot explode like Nuclear Bombs

I experienced challenges when completing the second assignment. I had to be aware of the audience, as I was required to write to high school students. Writing about nuclear engineering to high school students in a way that they can understand is not easy. I had to think about every word that I would incorporate in the paper. This was to avoid any instance of using hard technical jargon. I was also keen on my presentation and organization and I divided the assignments into different sections. The assignment indicated the improvements I made in writing.

Career

English 202C has not only benefited me in my undergraduate class but it has also equipped me with the knowledge and skills in technical writing that will benefit me as I practice my career. For a long time, engineering has been thought of as a difficult area and this is mostly because of the engineer’s inability to explain complex technical terms in a simple language. However, after taking the course, I am more aware of the factors to incorporate in my technical writing that will make it more comprehensible and appealing through careful wording and good organization. In addition to improving my writing and presentation skills, the course also gave me a good founding on research and design skills.

With knowledge changing constantly, it has become essential for people in different fields to update their skills and knowledge. This requires people to identify information from different credible sources and to navigate and use the web. Professionals are now realizing the importance of the internet even though they do not work in a technology related field. Engineers have to interact with people from different backgrounds, and it has become necessary for them to learn communication skills. The course has ensured that I gain the necessary skills to communicate with different people. By taking the course, I am assured that I will not experience problems when communicating with clients, my peers, and other people in the industry. The knowledge gained in the course will also improve my ability to communicate when presenting information to international firms.