Electronic Assignments

Because professional communicators in the twenty-first century will need to be familiar with ways to find and retrieve information electronically, WRIT 465 has now incorporated a requirement that makes all WRIT 465 students do some activities to become more familiar with communications technology. Winthrop's system is not always cooperative, but these two assignments don't tax its capabilities greatly. Moreover, they provide you with experience in locating and using information electronically that may prove a valuable and salable job skill in today's employment market.

Assignment I due January 25--2.5% of final grade, graded S/U

This is a fairly simple and paperless assignment. It requires you to practice e-mail and basic data retrieval skills. You are required to log onto the Internet (through the Winthrop labs, CETlink, rjsonline, AOL, or whatever service you use) and to find listings for three jobs which you could apply for (or which you'll be qualified to apply for when you graduate). At least one must be located at least 100 miles from Rock Hill. 

For each of the three jobs, make a note of the URL (Internet address) where you found it listed and some of the requirements for the job. Once you have compiled this information, send me an e-mail at kosterj@winthrop.edu telling me what you have found. DO NOT COPY THE WHOLE AD AND SEND IT TO ME; ABSTRACT, ORGANIZE, AND PRESENT THE INFORMATION. Have you looked at the online Career Resources on our class web page?

Assignment II due March 13--2.5% of final grade, graded S/U

This assignment builds on some of the same skills you used in Assignment I, but will require you to refine your search skills. Pick your fantasy city: the one where you'd like to live, work, and settle down. Using various search engines you find for the Web, find out as much about that city as you can. For instance, can you afford to live there? Where might you work and live? Could you go to graduate school? Who are the major employers? What are the major attractions? Is the city safe from crime? Is the newspaper on line? Could you find a mate there? (or if already married, does the city have attractions for your mate as well as you? for your kids?) What would it cost to live there as compared to Rock Hill? How much would you need to earn to live the way you want to there? These are just suggested questions; you are not limited to these, and your grade will depend in part on how far beyond these you are able to go. Since more information is added to the Internet daily, don't try to do this in one shot, but keep looking over a period of several weeks. Try different search terms and search engines to see what you can find. This assignment takes some creativity but is well worth the effort; if you can complete it, you'll have the basics for finding anything on the Web, which is a valuable skill to sell an employer.

You will need to report your findings to me in a physical memo. Attach to it a list of "Sources of Information about X", which gives the URLs (Web addresses) for the sites you found most helpful. Also attach one piece of visual information (a map, a picture, a graphic, etc.) that you have downloaded from the Internet.

Your choice of fantasy city is not limited to the U.S. You may have more luck if you search not only by city name but by synonyms and related terms; for instance, not just "Los Angeles", but "City of Los Angeles," "California--Cities", "Film Industry," "Los Angeles Lakers," etc. Using other descriptors like "cost of living comparison" or "crime statistics" may also lead you to more information.