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March 22, 2007

Combining the Personal and the Professional in Your Blog

Today we welcome Alicia Verlager, guest facilitator.

Over the past few weeks, those of us in eSight's
"Online Networking as a Job Search Tool" course
have investigated the various ways our
professional lives intersect with our personal
lives. Many of the assignments in this course
have asked us to write about such intersections,
including writing about our views about careers,
disability, and social networking.

The ePortfolio and personal statements we have
created are both expressions of how we see our
personal and professional interests and beliefs
combining to produce a very unique set of
skills. Blogs allow us to rehearse and hone
these same statements as well as develop
transferable skills such as writing, content
development, and facilitating dialogue.

Those of us in this course have been struggling
with that question and brainstorming with one
another to find our niche on the Web.

John, for example, one of my fellow
eLearners, is a former freelance illustrator and
graphic designer who also has 13 years of
experience in customer service as a food service
manager/proprietor. He's also an effective
writer and loves the outdoors.

I can envision John facilitating a blog for a park,
a conservation group or an outdoors company. How
about an outdoors company which needs to distinguish
itself through a blog because it markets outdoor
equipment worldwide through its web site, a site
that also features some of John's wildlife
illustrations he created before he became visually
impaired?

Consider how your professional expertise and
your personal interests intersect. How can you
combine your diverse skills and interests in
order to create a blog that will not only be
unique but will show off your skills and values
to their full potential?

For more about developing an online presence
for your “professional self” through a personal blog,
go to my article, “The Blind Bookworm: A Brief Guide
to Blogging,” on my livejournal.com blog.

Then, post your reply to this question:

What one idea do you have for a personal
blog which you believe will best feature your unique
combination of skills, interests, and values?


Posted by Alicia Verlager at 02:13 PM | Comments (8)

March 18, 2007

Talking About our Advantages

Today we welcome Vladimir Matsiborchuk, guest facilitator.

We are now in the seventh week of our eLearning course. Each of us has been receiving and analyzing new information, which undoubtedly makes a significant impact on our lives. We have been reviewing practicability of our career paths, emphasizing our professional advantages and abilities, and identifying our limitations and barriers.

We all agree that necessity of addressing the disability issue is the focal point of our presentation during our employment interviews. In developing a good answer about disability, most of us demonstrate a well determined and creative approach.

In addition, eLearners focus not only on the substance of the answer but also on the manner in which it will be delivered. In her presentation, Shanti stresses that:

“During the interview, I do my very best to maintain a high level of confidence and enthusiasm; I weave my disability throughout my answers where possible so that it appears very natural. Examples: the use of alternative techniques with regard to managing information and data and the ability to problem solve about transportation with regard to job related travel since I do not drive.”

In addressing his specific barrier, John offers a prospective employer the following solution:

“If you have a function that needs to be performed, please allow for a software assessment and the opportunity for me to demonstrate how I can perform the functions of this position. With the help of an assistive technology specialist, we can determine compatibility and/or any scripting necessary to make me job ready. I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that many common computer tasks can be performed just as efficiently as any sighted user -- and, in some cases, even more efficiently.”

Alicia identifies “two things to be key in this sort of discussion:

  1. I need to sound as confident as possible, and this includes giving a prompt answer which shows no hesitations.

  2. I should keep trying to bring the conversation back to the very material proof of my abilities.”

Thus, it appears that compatibility and use of technology, workload management and transportation as well as keeping a high level of self-assurance are the key challenges here. We all realize that we are in the process of negotiation of our work environment.

This is a mutual process, in which both the prospective employer and candidates with disabilities must be involved. In general, we realize our limitations and barriers on the way to employment.

But, while we live with disabilities, we develop certain life experiences, natural skills and qualities as well as values that cannot be found among general job candidates. We cannot be successful in those negotiations without demonstrating our advantages. We must spell out and clearly present our advantages to the prospective employers.

It is not enough to show our ability to do the job. We must explain that we are able to do the job better due to our developed skills and qualities.

Considering your life with disability, skills and qualities you have developed, please answer the following question:

What is your most distinguished quality as a job candidate with disability which gives you an advantage over other applicants in your given career field?

Posted by Vladimir Matsiborchuk at 10:30 PM | Comments (5)

March 08, 2007

How Practical Is Your Career Path?

Today we welcome Shanti Aaron, guest facilitator.

During the past week, each student in the eLearning course, "Online Networking as a Job Search Tool," has been exploring practical career paths for those of us with disabilities. It's evident that we have put a great deal of time and thought into this online discussion.

For the most part, we have presented ideas which are nicely structured and clearly presented.

For example, eLearner Alicia wants to:

"...Investigate fields which may reframe my knowledge of disability, technology, and/or writing. I have spent the months since my graduation looking for a job in disability and technology, since that was the goal I was working toward during my five years of educational work.

"However, it may be time for me to investigate writing as a source of income. I already write book reviews, so perhaps searching for other book reviewing opportunities may be a career path. Also, I have taken technical writing classes in the past and have at least one robust example of technical writing: perhaps I should think about ... creating a writing portfolio. ..."

Fleur, another eLearner, also seeks to reframe her skills:

"...I must authentically believe in what I 'bring to the table.' After taking this 'inventory,' I believe that path would be in a management or (to make it easier to break in) leadership position in broadcast media operations or coordination of operations in any business where that I can transfer the many skills I have developed through my working in tower operations for an airline. (Another option): travel and or travel logistical position for an organization such as the United Nations or a broadcast/media company..."

Through discussions and writings, each of us students has been going through that kind of introspection in exploring potential career tracks in the light of our preferences and strengths.

While doing that, I was struck by the realization that a career is the sum total of life's experiences, a work in progress that's never quite complete but gains depth and meaning over time. You can make yours richer by following your instincts and letting the journey inspire you.

But, each of us also needs to address our limitations in charting our preferred career path; taking into account the barriers we face makes our career path practical.

Please submit your thoughts about this question:

As you clarify your career path, what is the greatest barrier you expect to encounter in pursuing such a path, and how can you overcome this barrier?

Posted by Shanti Aaron at 02:51 PM | Comments (9)

March 02, 2007

Capturing The Attention of A Prospective Employer

Today we welcome John D. Lewis, guest facilitator.

After reading some of the entries under this Week's Lesson 4, "ePortfolio Contents," within our eLearning course, "Online Networking as a Job Search Tool," I was quite impressed with the professional manner in which these outstanding candidates will be presenting their special skill sets and experiences. Everyone seems to know themselves quite well and the path they wish to travel. These are intelligent, well-structured outlines for developing ePortfolios and a good plan for how their personal blogs can bring these unique ePortfolios into the limelight.

For instance, Alicia writes, in her plan for developing content for her ePortfolio, she would like to include:

"...A reflection on my work regarding the intersections of disability and technology. I am considering using an article which I just wrote on how my blog reflects the academic research and professional experiences that I have accumulated over the past few years, since I think this would not only reflect my change and growth over time but would also highlight how blogging itself can be used professionally as a communication and research tool."

In his statement on how blogging will complement his diverse ePortfolio, Vladimir writes:

"I agree that a personal blog and ePortfolio would be a good combination. I believe that an electronic portfolio should be included in my personal blog. In this way, I can present much more detailed information about myself and my services. I can use different languages. This is especially helpful in my situation. Since I am currently seeking employment, I can appeal to potential employers and/or clients in Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S."

According to Dr. Helen C. Barrett at UAA, a national expert on ePortfolios, "Electronic portfolios are much more than innovative resumes or scrapbooks." She says ePortfolios show "reflection, evolution of thought, and professional development."

I have learned from my readings that most ePortfolios by job seekers should contain a combination of the following key elements:

As eLearners, we have successfully mapped out a preliminary outline for our ePortfolios. For most of us, there are usually one or two prominent elements within those ePortfolios that give us an edge over the competition.

What key element in your cover letter, resume, ePortfolio or personal blog has the potential to demonstrate your talent and, as a result, capture the attention of a prospective employer?

Posted by John Lewis at 02:23 PM | Comments (8)