the_cover_letter

The cover letter is an important aspect of any application or resume. I gained some experience with cover letters last semester as I began applying to graduate schools. Looking back, after examining the website, I definitely found some areas of improvement. Hopefully none of my mistakes will result in letters of rejection. 

A few things about the website that I found helpful were the checklist and the reality section. The checklist reminded me that my letter was possibly too long. However, one thing that I did not include, but am not worried about is a postscript. I see this addition as unnecessary. If your main focuses are presented in the beginning and recapped in the end, I'm not sure an added emphasis for a third or fourth time is warranted. Otherwise, I will definitely be consulting this website in the future. I also look forward to finding out what others thought of the information provided. 

client_visit

This week we had the first visit from our client: the Healthy Campus Initiative. The client expressed many possible approaches for the semester-long project, though the important goals are reaching students, and promoting health, wellness, sustainability, and social justice on Clemson University's campus. This seems like a very open and exciting project for our group. I am convinced that our client will be pleased with the result. 

After the client visit on Monday, I was absent from classes on Wednesday and Friday for a field trip. I am ready to return to the group in order to listen and learn about any group decisions made thus far and the direction of the project. I have full confidence in their ability to move forward and respect for their decisions. After all, I chose to work with them. 

job_interview

A job interview can be very stressful. The need to make the right impression is crucial and can lead to simple mistakes by the candidate. 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes is a website that helps to avoid these mistakes and can increase your ability to land the position. Personally, I find the tips to be quite helpful. Though I have held two separate jobs, I have never participated in a formal interview. I know this will not happen again. So, any and all tips are certainly welcome pieces of knowledge.

For my first real interview, I plan to practice fielding questions. I also will aim to research and gain knowledge about the company. As for the stress and anxiety of the situation, I have a feeling that a good night's sleep, breakfast, and a workout will go a long ways in conjunction with practice and knowledge. I truly believe these elements will be helpful in preparation for the interview, along with one last reminder from 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes. 

Good luck!

the_dutch

While studying abroad in the fall of 2007, our class took the opportunity to go to the Netherlands. The progressive nature of the Dutch was truly captivating. Their approaches to energy, tactics to reclaim land from the sea, architectural design, and urban planning were overwhelming. Our time traveling in and around Amsterdam was much too short to truly appreciate everything around us, but every minute was definitely educational. 

The "whale," pictured below, allowed its design to be dictated by environmental factors. The roofline was established based on sun angles to optimize energy and lighting. Additionally, the architects took an interesting approach to egress by using the stairs that link varying levels. Unconventional, yet functional.

The university dorms pictured below were meant to be temporary structures. The colorful 'pods' come prefabricated and construction simply consists of stacking and attaching them. Interestingly enough, this colorful addition to the campus has become a popular housing option and their fate on the campus has yet to be decided. 

The Netherlands is more than legalized prostitution, weed, and wooden shoes. Go see for yourself!