Gregory Moore

Instructor: Robert Douglass Esquibel

ENGL 2210
30 January 2022
Project #1 Reflective Memo

I am writing this memo to reflect on my first project in your Professional and Technical Communication
class (English 2210).
I found this project to be quite puzzling but very beneficial. I recall opening this project’s details and
wonder how this could apply to me. With being in the military and wanting to commission into the Air
Force/Space Force there is no application process or cover letter needed. With being prior service and
later joining the ROTC program it is all straightforward. Join the program, graduate, and you go on to
furthering your career. Of course, there is some small things in between. I was surprised though after
finishing this project. I knew about resumes and applying for jobs, but this project gave me so much
more insight into my future and what I can accomplish. For example, after looking at all three job listings
there was not many differences in what would need to be done to be qualified for the positions. Two of
which followed my field of computer engineering, but I decided to choose the Game Development
position with AIMetaWars. I chose this option because of how game design/development has always
been a dream job for me growing up. I was surprised how much skills I will obtain with my degree would
benefit me for this job as well.
The first Student Learning Outcome (SLO) I accomplished during the process of completion for Project
#1 was Project Planning. Before starting the project, I began with learning how to effectively compose a
resume, read chapter 5 in Technical Communication Today, and researched job listings for computer
engineering. I thought writing a resume was something I already knew how to do effectively, but to my
dismay I was wrong. In the past, I would write a resume with little effort. I would put my past
experiences, skills, and what education I had. I am surprised I was even hired back then after knowing
what I know now. It is important to have what I listed, but it is more important to develop your resume
for the job you are wanting. After doing research for job listings in computer engineering, it opened my
eyes in seeing how it is quite possible for me to acquire some of those positions. Taking the time to read
over the listings had a positive effect on my project and guided me into the direction I went with it. I was
now able to come up with an effective plan for my career path.

The second SLO I accomplished was Written Communication. After my writings I was able to have help
from my peers through discussion boards and peer reviews. This was very beneficial and effective on
helping me succeed with this project. Having “a new set of eyes” look at my work was able to help me
see things I did not. For example, I was given the advice to change either the font or spacing so that a
section in my resume was not cut in half by the end of the page. That was something I did not think of
doing. I was able to go back in my resume and change the spacing between those sections, so it would
appear more well-structured. The discussion boards were a useful tool to have as well. Reading through
the comments of my peers me get a better understanding from our readings that benefitted my resume
in the end. For example, our discussion covering the difference between chronological and functional
resume had a lasting impact on how I was to approach and write my resume to ensure it was more
chronological rather than functional.

The third SLO I accomplished was Reviewing and Editing. This was accomplished by the help of my peers
by having their insightful input I was able to edit my resume more effectively. As previously stated, I was
able to structure my resume to be more appearing by taking a suggestion from my peer and utilizing it. I
simply had to change the spacing at the end of the page so that my education section was not split into
two. This helped the overall look of the resume to be more appealing for the reader. It was something I
did not notice and would not have done without that suggestion.

The tactics used to accomplish the Student Learning Outcomes were not just useful for that. They were
also useful in helping me compose a well-structured, appealing, organized, and effective resume that
showcases my skills and experience in an effective way.