Writing Proficiency
The human service program has greatly strengthened my ability in writing by learning how to utilize different voices to communicate effective and organized writing through a range of writing styles such as research or persuasive papers. I have learned how to translate my thoughts into a cohesive paper using books, articles, movies and research findings as evidence.
Reflective
The human service program emphasizes the impact of reflection- of self, ideas, concepts, systems, and issues. Through reflections one gains a better understanding of oneself, how we can better ourselves and ultimately better our world. At the beginning of our core classes, we were assigned to reflect on our lives and personal attributes we have in order to gain a better understanding of ourselves (who am I; exploration of self). Through these assignments I was able to be honest with myself and see the qualities I have and areas I could improve on. Reflective writing continued to be a significant aspect of course and field work, which helped give understanding of experiences and issues (all intern reflections). I have come to realize how much I achieve through reflective thought and writing and it is a necessary tool for improving oneself; by reflecting on my actions or judgments I can make changes in order to become the person I want to be.
Advocacy
A human service theme is being advocates for justice, equality and for those whose voices aren’t heard. Writing with advocacy comes natural to me because my ability to think critically influences my inherent persuasive voice. Throughout the program we wrote various papers using persuasive voice to advocate an issue or population we were passionate about. In HSP 404 Human Services Professionals in Community Systems, I wrote my standpoint paper on Obama’s controversial health care plan that provides free contraceptives to all women through their employer’s insurance plan (persuasive). I am extremely passionate about women’s rights and feel a need to be an advocate for the right to free birth control for all women, however, no matter how much I feel that I’m right, it is crucial to write with respect and avoid narrow-mindedness (reflection on position paper). I demonstrated this through my various persuasive papers, discussing the opposing viewpoints in order to give the reader a better understanding of the issue. Being an advocate is important in the human service field and can be done through influential writings, however it is important to know you can have a persuasive voice while respecting all parties and differing ideologies.
Academic
The human service curriculum provided me with opportunities in practicing and perfecting academic writing that demonstrates my learning and knowledge in areas of course topics and personal interest. Learning about food insecurity in the US through class discussions in junior core influenced me to write a literature review focused on food availability for low-income families. Through this assignment, I learned how to organize, analyze statistics, find gaps in research findings based upon eleven different peer reviewed articles to create one cohesive, thorough paper (literature review). The literature review differs from research papers because it synthesizes all current information and knowledge on a topic while a research paper utilizes research to prove a point.
My skill in writing research papers has significantly improved, contributing to my academic learning. This improvement is demonstrated through my first research paper on teen pregnancy compared to my most recent one on mental health issues among prisoners (teen pregnancy; mental health). The improvements are noticeable by my ability to gather stronger evidence used in a more fluid way, and using methods to show information that is persuasive without being bias. This provides the reader the opportunity to focus on research findings and create their own opinion, overall strengthening the paper.
Creative
I believe the use of creative thinking and projects has a great impact in many different areas of ones life. The use of creative learning helps stimulate different parts of the brain and is a fun, interesting way to learn. The human service major encourages ways to exercise my creative self as a way to show what I have learned. A good example of this type of learning can be seen through my photo essay about community systems in HSP 404 Community Systems. For this assignment I used my photography to correlate concepts from class readings to show different aspects of community development (photo essay). Because I am an abstract thinker and learn well through creative means, this assignment was very meaningful for me, encouraging me to use my creative self for my culminating project; an illustrated children’s book for elementary age children. The project translates important human service themes and values I have learned through out my experience in the major. This project is a fun and creative way for me to show what I have learned and also allows me to create something beneficial for my future work with children.
Professional
The human service major educates and encourages practice of professionalism reflected by our ability to think and write through the lens of human service ethics and values. Since all of our writing is aimed at having a professional human service voice, my confidence writing in a professional voice has greatly increased throughout the major because of all the practice I’ve had writing numerous papers on a range of issues, concepts and theories. I learned the importance of writing with a professional voice and how to write objectively and proficiently (case study; nonprofit analysis). I was able to practice my professional voice during my internship at Allied Arts by writing various emails about upcoming events and participation information to more than twenty elementary schools in Whatcom County as well as writing information for the website. This was a great way to practice my professional voice in the field and I believe I am knowledgeable and competent writing as a professional, thanks to the human service major.
The human service major has greatly enhanced my written communication skills. Through extensive course work, practice, critiquing, feedback and reflection, I have learned how to apply APA writing conventions and write with evidence, critical thought and clarity in a range of voices.
Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) (2010). National Standards for Baccalaureate Degree in Human Services. Available at:http://www.cshse.org/documents/Standards-Bachelor_2010Revised.pdf
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (2007). The ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students. Retrieved April 10, 2012 from:http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student_2007_EN.sflb.ashx
Reflective
The human service program emphasizes the impact of reflection- of self, ideas, concepts, systems, and issues. Through reflections one gains a better understanding of oneself, how we can better ourselves and ultimately better our world. At the beginning of our core classes, we were assigned to reflect on our lives and personal attributes we have in order to gain a better understanding of ourselves (who am I; exploration of self). Through these assignments I was able to be honest with myself and see the qualities I have and areas I could improve on. Reflective writing continued to be a significant aspect of course and field work, which helped give understanding of experiences and issues (all intern reflections). I have come to realize how much I achieve through reflective thought and writing and it is a necessary tool for improving oneself; by reflecting on my actions or judgments I can make changes in order to become the person I want to be.
Advocacy
A human service theme is being advocates for justice, equality and for those whose voices aren’t heard. Writing with advocacy comes natural to me because my ability to think critically influences my inherent persuasive voice. Throughout the program we wrote various papers using persuasive voice to advocate an issue or population we were passionate about. In HSP 404 Human Services Professionals in Community Systems, I wrote my standpoint paper on Obama’s controversial health care plan that provides free contraceptives to all women through their employer’s insurance plan (persuasive). I am extremely passionate about women’s rights and feel a need to be an advocate for the right to free birth control for all women, however, no matter how much I feel that I’m right, it is crucial to write with respect and avoid narrow-mindedness (reflection on position paper). I demonstrated this through my various persuasive papers, discussing the opposing viewpoints in order to give the reader a better understanding of the issue. Being an advocate is important in the human service field and can be done through influential writings, however it is important to know you can have a persuasive voice while respecting all parties and differing ideologies.
Academic
The human service curriculum provided me with opportunities in practicing and perfecting academic writing that demonstrates my learning and knowledge in areas of course topics and personal interest. Learning about food insecurity in the US through class discussions in junior core influenced me to write a literature review focused on food availability for low-income families. Through this assignment, I learned how to organize, analyze statistics, find gaps in research findings based upon eleven different peer reviewed articles to create one cohesive, thorough paper (literature review). The literature review differs from research papers because it synthesizes all current information and knowledge on a topic while a research paper utilizes research to prove a point.
My skill in writing research papers has significantly improved, contributing to my academic learning. This improvement is demonstrated through my first research paper on teen pregnancy compared to my most recent one on mental health issues among prisoners (teen pregnancy; mental health). The improvements are noticeable by my ability to gather stronger evidence used in a more fluid way, and using methods to show information that is persuasive without being bias. This provides the reader the opportunity to focus on research findings and create their own opinion, overall strengthening the paper.
Creative
I believe the use of creative thinking and projects has a great impact in many different areas of ones life. The use of creative learning helps stimulate different parts of the brain and is a fun, interesting way to learn. The human service major encourages ways to exercise my creative self as a way to show what I have learned. A good example of this type of learning can be seen through my photo essay about community systems in HSP 404 Community Systems. For this assignment I used my photography to correlate concepts from class readings to show different aspects of community development (photo essay). Because I am an abstract thinker and learn well through creative means, this assignment was very meaningful for me, encouraging me to use my creative self for my culminating project; an illustrated children’s book for elementary age children. The project translates important human service themes and values I have learned through out my experience in the major. This project is a fun and creative way for me to show what I have learned and also allows me to create something beneficial for my future work with children.
Professional
The human service major educates and encourages practice of professionalism reflected by our ability to think and write through the lens of human service ethics and values. Since all of our writing is aimed at having a professional human service voice, my confidence writing in a professional voice has greatly increased throughout the major because of all the practice I’ve had writing numerous papers on a range of issues, concepts and theories. I learned the importance of writing with a professional voice and how to write objectively and proficiently (case study; nonprofit analysis). I was able to practice my professional voice during my internship at Allied Arts by writing various emails about upcoming events and participation information to more than twenty elementary schools in Whatcom County as well as writing information for the website. This was a great way to practice my professional voice in the field and I believe I am knowledgeable and competent writing as a professional, thanks to the human service major.
The human service major has greatly enhanced my written communication skills. Through extensive course work, practice, critiquing, feedback and reflection, I have learned how to apply APA writing conventions and write with evidence, critical thought and clarity in a range of voices.
Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) (2010). National Standards for Baccalaureate Degree in Human Services. Available at:http://www.cshse.org/documents/Standards-Bachelor_2010Revised.pdf
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (2007). The ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students. Retrieved April 10, 2012 from:http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student_2007_EN.sflb.ashx