Sunday, April 20, 2008

Ethics Research Reflection...

My ethics research was more difficult than I thought it would be. I had a tough time finding an ethical lapse until I received some much needed help.

The ethical lapse that I will discuss is the one involving Roger Boisjoly and The Challenger Disaster. Mr. Boisjoly had written a memo to his superiors about the effectiveness of the solid rocket boosters, specifically their O-Ring malfunctions. He strongly believed that this issue needed to be addressed. Specifically: "...The "O-Rings" were two rubber rings that formed a seal between two sections of the Solid Rocket Boosters. The rings never functioned according to design. They were supposed to sit in a groove and seal the joint between the sections of the booster. It was found, however, that the pressure of the burning rocket fuel caused the joints in the SRB's to flex during launch, opening a gap through which rocket exhaust could escape. As the joints flexed, the rings would come out of their groves and move to a new position in the joint, a process called extrusion. The extruded ring would form a seal in this new position, but during the time it took for the ring to shift, the joint was unsealed and hot gasses could escape, a process called blow-by. These hot gasses would cause damage to the rings until the seal was achieved.What Boisjoly's investigation showed was that the amount of damage to the O-Ring depended on the length of time it took for the ring to move out of its groove and make the seal, and that the amount of time depended on the temperature of the rings. Colder temperature made the rubber hard and less flexible, meaning that extrusion took more time and more blow-by took place. He determined that if the O-rings were damaged enough they could fail..." He was completely ignored and his theories became reality when both o-rings failed during the shuttle launch, just 73 seconds after take-off.
Mr. Boisjoly was later shunned and forced to resign from the company after being a main witness called by the Presidential Committee to review the disaster. He later became a workplace ethics speaker, he still stands by his theories.


References:
Roger Boisjoly and the Challenger disaster. onlineethics.org. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
Boisjoly, Roger
. Ethical Decisions - Morton Thiokol and the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: Telecon Meeting. onlineethics.org. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Response to Ethical Lapses Article...

I thought this article really demonstrated the ripple effect that an ethical lapse can create, no matter what its size. Seventy-three percent of workers have encountered ethical lapses on the job according to this survey. I did not realize that ethical lapses were that prevalent. I am not surprised for the reasoning of why employees do not report these lapses. I am not sure how I would handle such a situation. It was almost even when it came to either reporting to company management and handling it yourself. Personally, I would report to company management because there is a thin line between right and wrong in such a situation. I would not want to be associated with having anything to do with the situation.

I never thought about how an ethical lapse may affect even those who are not directly involved. I believe now that it has a tremendous effect on work productivity and employee relations.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Writing On Paper vs. The Web...

Writing on the web and writing on paper are similar and different in various ways. Writing on paper and writing on the web are the same in that they both need to make sense, target a specific audience, get the point across, and relay all necessary information.

Writing on paper is differs from writing on the web because of formality. I believe that writing on paper is more formal than that on the web. People take a lot more time to write on paper and it is more drawn out. Writing on the web usually is in short-hand form and less formal. Writing on the web is to the point and can be built upon by additional pages.

When transferring a document formerly read on paper to the web it is important to remember that the format will be much different. Is important to proofread to insure that everything transferred correctly as well.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Free Write..

It hit me recently that I will be a senior IN COLLEGE next year. Time has flown by so fast I can't believe it. I never believed people when they said it would be like that but they were right! I am on track to graduate in May of 2009 with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration. I have no idea where I am going or what I am going to do. Very stressful, to say the least.

I hope it isn't just me that is stressed and unsure about where I am headed after school. I have so much going on right now I can hardly keep track. I hope everything slows down soon. And on top of all this I have to find a 400-hour internship for the summer. I can't decide if I should stay in Clemson for the internship or stay home for it. I look forward to having everything set..

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Presentations..

I really enjoyed the presentations. It was interesting to see what people chose to present when given the freedom to do so. Overall I thought everyone gave a great presentation. It was something different and I looked forward to each one since I never knew what was coming next!

My favorite presentation would have to be Judith's on shooting sports. I have never been around shooting or guns and have absolutely zero knowledge about them. Her presentation was very informative and easy to understand. As it turns out I talked to Judith about it right after her presentation and she actually scheduled a time for me to meet with her dad for an introductory lesson. My first lesson was last Monday and it taught me so much, really enjoyed it. Her family was so nice and made me feel 100% comfortable considering the fact that I was really nervous! I am so glad I went. I hope to continue my lessons, I can't wait for the next one!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Mock Interview Reflection...

Last Wednesday I had my mock interview with Mrs. Rogers. I was extremely nervous beforehand, as though it was a real interview for a real job. I always get like that though so I was not surprised.
I thought the interview was a great idea, I only wish I had it available to me sooner in my college career. The critique of my resume and cover letter was the most helpful. I was not sure where they both stood so this made me feel more secure and comfortable when I give them to a potential employer. I feel like I did not do my best when it came to answering questions, I was flustered and so nervous. I need a way to get over that! Also, I interviewed with the company I want to intern for over Christmas break but I have to check in with them tomorrow and Mrs. Rogers informed me of the best way to do it which was very helpful.

I wish I would have received more tips on the actual interview like what to say and how to say it. Public speaking has always been tough for me so I take whatever help I can get! I hope this mock interview will help me with the next so I can continute to improve..

Sunday, February 24, 2008

My Job...

Since the blog topic for this week is a free topic, I thought I would talk about my new job. I absolutely love it and believe it is perfect for me. I am working at a place called The Better Bark. It is a grooming, boarding, training, and fostering organization for dogs. As everyone knows, I love fostering dogs and now I actually get paid to take care of them. I love it because I actually feel like I am doing something good. It has motivated me to perhaps open my own place one day.
I received a job offer through Upstate Animal Rescue, whom I foster for and volunteer for. My duties include cleaning, grooming, clerical duties, feeding, exercising the dogs, and of course giving them plenty of love! I hope to learn about owning a business when it is catered to the animal world since I have always wanted to do so. I already feel as though I have learned so much and enjoy the lifestyle. I have only been working for a little over a week but I look forward to going every day.
I know I am always talking about animals but it is my passion and I feel like I am supposed to be their voice. So if anyone ever wants a dog please let me know :)

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Cover Letter Feedback

After reading the advice given on cover letters, I agree with most all of the advice given here. I honestly knew nothing about cover letters before I read this advice. Absolutely nothing. I did not even know they existed so this was a very beneficial read for me. I wish I would have had this information sooner. I feel that a cover letter can give me a huge boost in the job/internship market.

The only point that I may disagree or feel uncomfortable with more so, is the section on the postscript technique. It just seems out of flow to me and I would be afraid that whoever is reading it may not understand. I also feel like handwriting it seems last minute and that I was too lazy to type it up and print another cover letter.

The most useful tutorial to me is definitely the sample cover letter. I learn well by example and especially with visuals. Although it was explained in earlier tutorials how and what to write in a cover letter, I was really hoping for a sample one. I was glad to have it and bookmarked the entire section. The section about testimonials was interesting to read as well, I never gave it a thought previously but it is actually a great idea for someone else to speak of you other than yourself.

I plan to use all of this information when writing my cover letter for my mock interview. This eases my mind a great deal. I will also definitely use the cover letter checklist before pulling it all together.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Interview Articles..

The first article I read was "It's Your Turn: What to Ask an Interviewer." I chose this article because this is something I have always wondered about. I have never known what to ask and what was even appropriate. I like how they broke the article up in the recruiter, the hiring manager, the executive, and the coworker. I have been interviewed by different people in different positions so this is a great way to organize the article. I never really thought to ask only certain people certain questions (besides the obvious). I wish I had this article sooner! I paid special attention to questions to ask the future boss because this is the case of the internship I am trying to get this summer. I have gone to one interview and wish I had asked more questions. But, I will hopefully be back.

The second article I read was “How to Answer the Toughest Interview Questions.” I read this article and realized that I had been asked all these questions at one time or another. The one I was especially glad to see was the salary question. This one makes me the most uncomfortable; I never know how to approach it. This article allowed me to tweak some answers I have originally replied with in an interview.

I learned the basics of an interview. I actually added this page to my favorites bar because I feel like it is very valuable. My biggest issue I have at interview time is my nerves so hopefully this will ease my mind for the mock interview and following real interviews.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Persuasive Experiences..

Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King used ethos, logos, and pathos to convey his thoughts and get his point across. The combination of these three is what made this piece of writing so effective and well-known. When we worked in groups to find examples of ethos, logos, and pathos, it was not difficult to find them within the letter. This is a major reason why the letter is still read today whether or not people realize it.

I believe the Letter from a Birmingham Jail was more of an example of persuasive techniques than the Army's presentation was. The Letter from a Birmingham Jail appealed more to us as people while the Army focused too much on copy and paste information off the internet. This is an example of how the internet may be affecting communication today. I felt they did not tune into emotion and explain the true facts of being in the army. They could have used the army as their tool to present persuasive techniques. They seemed more distant to me even though they were a few steps away while this letter was written years ago and it struck me in a bigger way.

The example of persuasive communication I chose should be no surprise to anyone that knows me. I chose one about the importance of spaying and neutering written by the ASPCA. The article can be found at http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/Why_SpayNeuter-English.pdf?docID=188.
This article effectively uses logos and pathos. It uses logos by explaining the facts associated with it and also explains the many myths surrounding spaying and neutering. Many people are not educated in this topic and that is destroying millions of animals every day. Pathos is prevalent throughout the article with the ASPCA mentioning the millions of animals killed every day only because they cannot find a home. This article obviously effects me tremendously but I also think that it is written in a way that would persuade anyone in the right direction while tapping into their emotions as well. I believe this article and the Letter from a Birmingham Jail use communication tools correctly and are the most persuasive.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

10 Years...

It's hard for me to think of where I will be in 10 years. I'm not one to plan far ahead, I'm not even sure what I will be doing tomorrow! But, I do have some goals.

I hope to graduate from Clemson in May 2009 with my Sport Management degree and Business minor. From there, I have a couple ideas. I would either work in the sport management field like I planned or attend a two-year nursing school. Emory University and Georgia State University offer nursing degrees to those who already have a degree in a non-related field. This is a more recent idea I have been throwing around but I will have to wait and see if it sticks.

I see my family life goals as more important than any professional or monetary goals. In the next ten years, I hope to marry my fiance. I would prefer to live in Georgia, where I am from, and start our lives there. I want us to build a strong foundation in all areas of life so we can continue to grow strong. I always want to be close to my immediate family, it has always been important to me to have them near. In ten years, I hope to see my brother succeed in college and his lacrosse career and my parents slow down and start to travel.

A huge goal of mine is also to help animals. It is truly my passion and something I have stuck with for many years. I will do anything along the way to contribute to improving all animals' lives and the world in which they live. I believe that this world is completely uneducated and hearless when it comes to animals. I want to change that. I don't know how or when but I want to do something huge for the lives of animals.

This is just an overview of some things I hope to accomplish or things I have been thinking about. For now though, I live in the moment. Time will tell...

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Response to Web 2.0 & Puppies!!

"The Machine is Us/ing Us" by Michael Wesch was unlike anything I have seen. It was fast paced but I believe this represents the speed at which the internet is changing and all of the components that come together to do so. The title is very clever and makes you think about what end of the spectrum you believe to be at. It can really go any way we want it, the freedom that the web allows makes it possible for it to really become part of us. I remember in class how you were saying how you can have any question in the world answered just by pulling up the internet. I can't imagine doing things any other way. The web really allows anyone to access anything. I know I have a little separation anxiety if my computer is done or I do not have it when I want to. While that is sad to say, I believe a lot of other people feel the same. I see it as so many outlets to the outside world.
As for people entering the workforce, Web 2.0 is a benefit readily available to them. They are able to research possible jobs, possible employers, and can even find websites to prep them for an interview and follow up. The web also has places to post your resume which is also valuable to employers to find the particular employee that they are looking for. On the other hand, people already in the workforce may struggle to keep up with changing technology unless they have been all along. There are many stubborn people in this world who may have been trying to avoid technology. I believe that avoiding technology will not allow you to reach your full potential, it may even stunt your career. Besides the obvious benefits and ease of the web, it can further skills that you may not even be aware you are working on while surfing the internet.
When the video says that we will have to rethink everything I thought that this was somewhat true. I think that with the pace the world changes every day, we will always have to continue to rethink. That is part of growing. Whether it be with the web or not, we constantly have to be aware of the changes around us. So while we may have to rethink, I do not believe that we have change everything about it. We simply have to keep growing along with it in order to benefit fully.

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I wanted to add a few pictures of the puppies I am currently fostering. They are great puppies..they are already house-trained, very smart, and incredibly sweet. They even know how to sit! Please let me know if anyone is interested...puppy shots and neutering are paid for by the rescue group! Thank you..










There are also plenty of other dogs and puppies that I have pictures and information on. Please let me know!!
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC178.html

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Introduction..

Hi, my name is Kristine. I am originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida but have lived in Marietta, Georgia since I was around eight years old. I have a brother who is a senior in high school and will be going to a school in upstate New York on a lacrosse scholarship. At home, I have three dogs, three cats, and a bird; all of which we have rescued. I absolutely love all animals.
I am currently a junior at Clemson and majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. I enjoy working out, spending time with my fiance, being with friends, listening to music, movies, shopping, and so much more! I am not sure what I will do after college but I am thinking about maybe going to get a second degree in nursing. Random, I know, but it all depends. I am just taking things day by day. I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about me!