Chantel Romero :)

I would like to conclude this assignment and class with a personal thank you to the Instructor, Ms. Laura Allen for a wonderful class, and especially for encouraging me follow my “dream”, and pursue Public Relations.

This personally was my favorite project. Coming into MSU, I had no idea what I wanted to do post-graduation, but through this assignment I have a strong base as far as what I want to pursue my degree in. The reason I decided to post my final project through Tumblr, is because as a prospect Publicist, I will be responsible for keeping up on the latest trends, and I will use them as my advertising avenue. Right now social networks are the “it” thing.

Through Tier 1 writing, it doesnt just relate to long research papers, I think the very reasonable requirements correlate with the type of writing I will be doing not only the rest of college but also in my career. As a publicist I will need to network, and identify with my clients, and the people I am attempting to expose them to. In order to do this successfully I have to “be” the people I am trying to sell to, which I am using in reference to “identifying myself as apart of MSU’s community of scholars.” I will need to build relationships with people who are doing the same thing as me, which is what I will have to in other aspects while I am at MSU apart of that community.

In this career field, research is crucial. I will be responsible for being knowledgeable of my client but also the competition, and the current trends, etc that I will be needing to use to my advantage. For example, social media, as a publicist I will be needing to “research” current advertising outlets, If i were to send out an event invite via mass email, I would have been better off not sending it. But if it is on a well known social network such as twitter or facebook, and I have already created a brand for my client, and a have researched what would be most successful, I will be more likely to have a successful event. Research is basically just very important in this field because the pace is so rapid, and trends are constantly changing.

As far as developing skills, etc. this is equally as important. In a career where your social and communication skills are the key to your success, you have to know how to talk to people, and the correct way. One wrong move, or offended people could be detrimental to your image as representing others, and the people you are representing.

As part of the general education requirement, Tier I Writing contributes to the Michigan State University mission by focusing on inquiry-based teaching and learning that encourages students to begin to understand themselves as:

• Contributing members of MSU’s community of scholars
• Committed to asking important questions and to seeking rich responses to those questions
• Developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes that improve the quality of life for self and others through scholarly, social, and professional activities.

(taken directly from course syllabus)

In high school, I was constantly given topics to write about that were irrelevant to majority of things that I would be doing in my life.  

Part of the reason I believe the Michigan State University (MSU) Tier 1 requirement is so great is because of the emphasis on “students understanding themselves.” One of the biggest problems I have seen first year students come across is figuring out who they are as people, and the type of people they want to be. In addition I also believe that the first assignment about our literacies did well at getting us as first year students to take a look at ourselves, and realize what we are good at, and got us to take a look at how we can positively channel something we are literate in, into how that develops who we are as a person, and how we can use it for good.

With this requirement I believe that being identified as a “Contributing member of MSU’s community of scholars” created a sense of belonging, and it feels good to know that I am associated with a community that is known worldwide, not only by brand name, but for the accomplishments this “community” have achieved.

By committing to asking important questions and seeking rich answers, this has taught me how to effectively research and complement work that I have done, with scholarly research that positively complements points that I am trying to prove. During these years at MSU, I will rarely encounter assignments which ask for my opinion, let alone let me support my own opinion with no evidence. In this class I have learned to find sources, and not add pointless information to my projects, but look deep into the topics, and back it up in such a way that it flows together.

By “developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes that improve the quality of life for self, and others through scholarly, social, and professional activities”, I think this class prepares us for a taste of the real world. Different jobs require different strengths, however if you do not have an idea of these base skills, you have almost nothing. By having constant group activities during class, I think this prepared us for social activities. I was able to learn how to work with people of different genders and ethnicities, who had different views than me as well. This prepares me for many assignments I will have to do throughout college, and in life, where I have to be politically correct in the way I speak, and the way I present my opinions. It also requires me to take responsibility of myself in a sense that other people count on my contribution to the group and its work. It also requires me to be open minded to other people’s views. This prepared me for professional activities by having the disciplinary literacies project and having to learn how to be professional as I addressed and had conversations with people who are doing what I envision myself doing in the future.

Bottom line, writing, reading, and researching are the main compnents that you need to be successful while at MSU, and I believe Tier 1 writing does a good job at preparation.

Coming into WRA 150, I already had high expectations, and anticipated great things. During the fall semester I was enrolled in WRA 115, but after having a conversation with a close friend, Allisa Van Maren, I immediately swapped into WRA 150, instructed by Laura Allen, with the great review of her and the class that I received. I expected to have meaningful classes, and do projects and have group discussions that would not only help me in school, but be significant enough to apply to “the real world” as well.

My writing has changed  from high school, just into this short but very hard transition into college. I went from being able to successful writing a classic essay in 5 paragraph format, which is now useless, to being able to successfully write a paper which does the complete opposite.

Well, my first semester of college is almost over, and I feel like all goals I have set flew out of the window. I will say that my procrastination has decreased tremendously, and I have a better sense of time management. I feel as though the only thing holding me back is the transition into the different work I am responsible for now. I am still getting used to the discipline that is inquired with having to sit down and read and study on my own everynight, and not be responsible for homework, but exams that are worth 30% of our grades. I feel like I am starting to get into the swing of things, it is just going to take some time before I can full meet all of the goals I would like to achieve.

1. futuristic

2. woo (winning others over)

3. communication

4. activator

5. command

After taking the Strength Finder 2.0 test, it somewhat confirmed to me that I would like to go into the entertainment business. One specific job that I came across was on a job posting from MTV, requesting a publicist. I think that this would be a good job for me because a publicist always has to think ahead. (futuristic) I would need to not only take care of things going on within the company at that point in time, but I would also need to think ahead in expanding the brand and making it bigger than it already is.

Woo, I want people to like me and I am a very social person. I think this would be a good job for me because I get to interact with all kinds of people, and I have the opportunity for “lots of people to like me” (strengths finders 2.0)

communication, Well as of now this is my current major, and I think that this job would be a good job for me because based on the test, I easily communicate with people, and I dont have a problem doing so.

activator, I think this completely describes me, I like to know where we can start, and where I can be in charge of what is going on and able to make my own decisions during the process, which also means I may not have a set plan on how I will make something happen, but the final product will come out lovely.

command, I think this would fit with this job, because although I may seek outside help or opinions ultimately i make all final decisions on what I think would be good for the “brand” of the company, and I like to take charge leaving all decision making up to me.

1. Well when I type “Chantel Romero” into the search engine, I dont find myself. It seems as though I am finding all of the other Chantel Romero’s across the country, and I’m wondering why that is. (maybe because it is coming from my computer?) I did find a softball player bio/stats list on mlive.com from when I used to play softball at Kalamazoo Central High School. So I would think that is a positive thing to find.

I didnt go online and delete anything from my twitter or facebook, but I do need to figure out how to delete my myspace account. When I started high school I got locked out of my account and havent been able to log in since.

I also plan on going through my tweets and deleting ones that are innappropriate or not suitable for potential bosses, people of authority, etc.

2. Secondly, I created my google profile however I wasnt able to manage/delete anything because I couldnt find anything when I searched for me from my computer, so I plan on logging in from someone elses and seeing what happens. Other than that I dont think my response requires much else.

So far I dont think I have made an accomplishments, and I feel as though I need to start working harder towards the goals I am trying to achieve. I was struggling with my MTH 1825, so I met with a UUD advisor and dropped that today, which feels like a relief because I dont have to worry about it any more, but I also dont feel good about it because I feel like I failed at something. I am also struggling with focusing, but right at this moment I am in the library, and I am being very productive and getting things done, so i think that in order to get it together I need to incorporate library into my schedule as a part of study time, which is also beneficial because from my dorm it is only about a 10 minute walk, if not less. I have not made too many new friends, I am becoming more familiar with the girls in the hall, and I visit them occasionally, but other than that I only know the people I knew before I came here, and I would like to change that, but if I tried to incorporate any more of a social life, I would be struggling more than I already am. One positive thing that I can say is that I see my independence level rising. I feel that I am maturing in the sense that I am getting things done, and ta.king care of my own business, and not relying on others to do it for me. For example taking the bus into Lansing, and out to Okemos in order to run errands, and get things done.

I think that it is always good to be able to talk to students who were in the position as us, it makes us feel as though we are not so alone in what we are going through, and the trasition we are making. I am very interested in joining the Focal Point group, and I plan on looking into that more when I get more stuff done, and my schedule a little more under control. I also really enjoyed the stereotyping exercise, it was fun, and it was shocking to see different peoples perceptions of others in the class. I also think that it was a good idea to do that exercise as the other incidents were happening around campus.

Last Thursday before I attended the Career Fair I was very nervous, and didnt know what to expect. Having a very basic resume, and no interview experience didnt help much either, but I had to remember, I was not looking for a job, I was only going to meet with these companies and hope to make resourceful connections that would be beneficial in the future. After getting the jitters out after the first table, I was perfectly fine, and at the end of the day I had two job shadowing offers, one in Auburn Hills for Communication, and one in Toledo for Supply Chain Management and Finance. I think this was a good experience, I am very happy I went and I am glad this was assigned to us.

Tuesday October 4:

7:00a- wake up and get ready for the day

7:30a- still getting ready, at 7:45 I go to breakfast

8:00a-leave the Red Cedar Neighborhood and walk to class in Anthony Hall

8:30a- HDFS 175 Marriage and Family starts

9:00a- (in class)

9:30a- (in class until 9:50)

10:00a- walk to my next class (COM 275: Effects of Mass Media)

10:30a- in class (it started at 10:20a)

11:00a- (in class)

11:30a-(in class) dismissed at 11:40a

12:00p- Lunch in the International Center

12:30p- Head to next class in Wells Hall (math workshop 100E)

1:00p- in class (started at 12:40p)

1:30p- in class

2:00p- in class

2:30p- class ends and I head home to Mason-Abbot

3:00p- I decide to take a nap until 5 because I have to work that night

3:30p- sleep

4:00p- sleep

4:30p- sleep

5:00p- wake up transition into studying

5:30p- study

6:00p- study

6:30p- study/ get ready for work

7:00p- go eat in snyderphillips

7:30p- catch the bus to brody

8:00p- clock in for work at Sparty’s

8:30p-work

9:00p- work

9:30p- work

10:00p- work

10:30p- work

11:00p- work

11:30p-work

12:00a- work

12:30a- work/ clock out at 12:40a

1:00a- when I get home

1:30a- talk to my roommate and study

2:00a- study

2:30a- study

3:00a- go to sleep

For the fall 2011 semester, the fees that I am responsible for, and actual amount I am paying is as follows:

1) tuition: $5,694.50

2) student voted fees: $26.00

3) room and board $4102.00

4) freshman book: $10.00

The ways I pay for my costs is through:

1) The kalamazoo Promise: $3701.43

2) MSU student aid grant: $2,900

3) Federal Pell Grant: $2,775

4) Direct Subsidized Loan: $404.00

I am also involved in work study, and I am currently employed at Sparty’s, which is for paying for books and moderate spending.

A study abroad program that I am very interested in, and I would really like to attend is the summer internship program in Cape Town, South Africa, for Communications. I think this would be a very big and irreplaceable opportunity. I plan on paying for the program by using the money I get from the Kalamazoo Promise for tuition, and applying for other scholarships and grants to cover the rest.

1. I do not think that I am in the correct major for the job that I would like to do. My current major is communications, however in order to accomplish my dream job, I would need to change my major to broadcast journalism. I have not completely decided what I want to do in life, however I am currently interested in majors such as Supply Chain Management, Nursing, and if I was to stay in Communications I would like to go into Public Relations.

2.By not really being to sure about a possible major I would like to go into, I have no idea where to start to think about specializations.

3.My academic goals for this semester would have to be obtaining at least a 3.5 GPA, and making the Dean’s List. I would really like to graduate college with honors.

4.Some challenges I anticipate with meeting my academic goals are having to manage my time more wisely, especially having a job as well. I also anticipate having to turn down many distracting things that may come my way during freshman year.

5. My self improvement goal for this year would have to be to complete all assignments and tasks on time, and at a comfortable time, not last minute.

6. I anticipate alot of hard work in accomplishing my self improvement goal, over the past few years of high school I have become accustomed to procrastinating, and here at MSU, that will get me nowhere, but back to my hometown.

7. My target GPA for this semester is about a 3.7, but ultimately anything over a 3.5.

8. Besides studying, I plan on accomplishing my target GPA by attending tutoring sessions when I need help, and just to go over material, and by meeting my professors during office hours in order to help me get more familiar with the content.

9. Procrastination, laziness, and causing my own stress have all contributed to a lack of academic success in the past.

10. To prevent procrastination I plan on making a detailed calendar out, and setting out time to get certain tasks done daily to ensure that I have time to do everything with a good amount of time before its due. To stop laziness, I need to just change that myself, I dont feel like there is anything else I can do to change that. I also think that having everything planned out will decrease the amount I stress myself out, because when I allow myself to have more time to do things I dont stress myself out and I feel better.