For today, you have one activity to complete: Add a comment to this post that introduces yourself to me and the class, and answers the following questions:
- Give us some basic facts about yourself—who are you, what’s your major/minor, what do you want to be when you grow up, where are you from, etc.
- What experience do you have with technical writing? You might talk about reading or writing or collaborating on documents.
- Tell us something cool, neat, or interesting about you or your past. Give us something memorable to help get to know you.
Before you post, a couple of warnings: (1) Your classmates will see what you write, so don’t include anything intended just for me. (2) This website is public, so use your first name (or a pseudonym) only. Also, please be sure to use your vt.edu email address every time you post to the class website. Once I “approve” your first comment on the site, you will be able to post comments for the rest of the semester without waiting for me to approve them.
My name is Dagmawi Yeshiwas, but I go by Dag. My major is Computer Science. When I grow up I want to be someone that can apply an original idea to benefit the world. I was born in Ethiopia, but I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia.
When I was in high school I had written a few internal assessment papers that were very technical. My freshman year here at Virginia Tech, I wrote a team paper on a Submarine Design that we built. I’ve also read a few technical documents to gain information about different computer science concepts.
One time I auditioned for Americas Got Talent! I attempted to do professional juggling. It was a pretty interesting experience.
I’m a computer science major when I graduate I would like to get a job in the game Industry. I was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America in highschool, where I got a lot of technical writing experience competing in various programming related competitions, as I had give speeches explaining the technical details of my programs. The summer after my senior year I made it to the National FBLA confrence and, won 8th place in the game design category, after winning 1st at the regional and state level. I also have one game of my own that me and two of my friends made and released to the android market called Space Tycoon.
Hi My name is Duke Forsyth,
My major is mechanical engineering who might switch to Computer Science. I want to own a company in something later on in life but no rush in that regard.I am from a military family so don’t really have a hometown but i was born in Washington DC though only stayed there for about 6 months.I have taken a technical writing class when i lived in Portland Oregon but apparently the quarter system differs from the trimester so i have to retake the class.
And something interesting I suppose would be that aside from living here in virginia for 4-5 years I have moved every 2-3 years of my life until this last move.
My name is Michael F, I am a sophomore double majoring in Building Construction and Design and Civil and Environmental Engineering. I have an older sister studying Civil Engineering at Umass Amherst, along with an older brother at La Salle University majoring in Mathematics. I am from Madison New Jersey, a small town in Morris County, and about thirty minutes from New York City. When I grow up I hope to be working for a company that designs and constructs sports venues, preferably football or baseball stadiums.
My experience with technical writing was limited until the examples were given. I always had Lego sets with the basic picture instructions and have moved on to more challenging IKEA instructions when I helped my sister set up her coffee table. I also had to fill out several job applications, which asked for resumes to be included. At first I honestly can say that I had no idea what exactly technical writing is, I probably have more experience with it I just do not know it.
In high school I was a four time letter winner on our football team. These four years included two state championships (junior and senior) along with several other awards, such as first team for all – state, all – conference, and all – group. One of the biggest honors came senior year when I was voted to be team captain my senior year.
Hi my name is Leon, I am a Computer Engineering major and I am currently planning on getting a Computer Science minor. After graduating, I hope to go into the mobile or web development field because I find both of these fields extremely diverse and society has become dependent on both mobile devices and the web.
I do not have too much experience with writing or reading technical documents, even reading the documents since I generally try to figure out how programs or toys work on my own. Most of my experience in technical writing consists of reading documentations on using programs and writing bug reports during my internships.
In my free time I really enjoying bowling and it has become one of my favorite past-time activity. My goal is to get a 250 or higher score before this year ends.
Let’s see, some basic stuff. Well I’m from the DC area, been there all my life. I’m a Computer Science major, and still don’t know what I want to do with it yet. Although as a kid I wanted to be a detective or paleontologist.
As far as Tech writing goes I guess I have as much experience as everyone else in this class; some but not a lot. I’ve worked in groups before with writing assignments but nothing this extensive.
Some cool stuff about me: I know almost everything there is to know about dinosaurs and I long board/paddle board/skateboard/run as far as athletic stuff goes. Quick warning: don’t ask me too much on dinosaurs because I’ve been told I “don’t shut up about them.”
1. My name is Michael Fisk and I am an Electrical Engineering major and music minor from Burke, Va, a suburb of Washington, DC. Ideally, I would like to continue my previous work experience in weapons development with the Navy or help modernize and prevent blackouts on the power grid. When I’m not fiddling around with circuit boards, I enjoy playing guitar and trombone, video games, and football with my friends.
2. The most relevant technical writing to my field that I have dealt with was when I was a research assistant last summer. At the beginning of the summer, I had to read multiple reports on what previous students had accomplished. There were also weekly Powerpoint presentations that were document and communicate our progress as a team to our supervisor. There was a short learning curve coming from conventional Powerpoints (with minimal slide content and much more talking) to technical (minimal slide content with less talking).
3. An interesting fact about me is that people will say I have “perfect pitch.” That means someone can play a musical note and I can determine what it is. I don’t like the term, it makes me feel like a snob, but it sure is interesting.
My name is Erica Roesel. I’m from McLean, Virginia, which is in NOVA. I’m majoring in Wood Science and Forest Products and minoring in German. I’m not sure what I want to do in the future. I might continue in the field that my major is in, but I also have an interest in veterinary medicine.
I don’t have much experience with technical writing. I have written a resume before and in high school and freshman chemistry lab, I wrote detailed lab reports.
In my free time, I enjoy playing Frisbee with VT’s Ultimate team, hiking, and, overall, being outdoors.
Some basic facts – I am a recent transfer student hoping to major in Computer Engineering. In my off-hours, I play around with electronics and a little chemistry. My experience in technical writing is extremely limited and I am still trying to work out the dynamics of comprehensive English. Apart from that, there is nothing really fascinating for me to share about myself. I guess I’m content to be forgotten.
Hi, my name is Sung and I am studying Computer Science. For my future, I want to just get a desk job as a software developer. I do not have too much technical writing. I have only written for English classes. As for an interesting fact about me, I was a semi-pro gamer and competed in high prize pool tournaments.
My name is Kit and my major is Food Science. I was born in California and I am hoping to go back there at some point. I really want to help people accept their bodies and teach them how to eat properly. I want to show people the benefits of going to farmers markets. I did a lot of writing in my AP English class in high school. I also did a lot of collaborating with a partner in my Debate class for abortion.
My computer made the reply with out the rest of my post. I was on a vaulting team for ten years, Vaulting is gymnastics on horses.
Hello,
I’m John from Massachusetts, and I’m pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. My background in technical writing includes my work as a research assistant last summer, where I read and edited academic papers occasionally, as well as all of the documentation I’ve created and read for programming projects. I suppose some people might consider the research project I was a part of neat: we were working on a jumpsuit that tracks the wearer’s movements (without need for cameras), records them as data, and can later render them on a 3d model.
Hey Everyone! I’m a Junior Environmental Science major and I plan to work in the field of Environmental Health after graduation. I’m from Linthicum MD but now live here in Blacksburg. I have had some experience in technical writing as an intern with both Maryland Environmental Service and the Anne Arundel County Health Department. I wrote notices for public pool closures and also helped create informational literature for a new database system. And some neat facts about myself are that I skipped a grade in elementary school and I do not like to play checkers.
-Kevin
My name is Meg and I am majoring in Wildlife Science and I am minoring in Animal and Poultry Sciences. Eventually I would really like to work in either a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or in a Zoo with the opportunity to just help animals and be able to help educate the public on Animal Issues. I grew up in Northern Virginia, but I am not the typical NOVA student, I actually grew up with land and Walmart was 45 minute drive away. My experience with Technical Writing is more of the editing side of things, my mom works for an editing company and I have helped her with some of her work throughout the years. Something memorable would have to be that I hate snow and cold weather but I still decided to come to VT.
Hello, my name is Andrew and I am from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am majoring in Packaging Science and I am considering a minor in entrepreneurship. After I graduate, I hope to work in packaging in a position that deals with either design or distribution. Most of my experience in technical writing probably deals with reading various instruction manuals for assembling products and completing projects. Some of my hobbies include welding, woodworking, and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. An interesting fact about me is that I am a fourth generation owner of my car (my great-grandmother bought it new in 1986).
My name is Megan, and I am from Loudoun County, Virginia. I am majoring in Environmental Science with a focus in Land Restoration and Management. When I graduate, I hope to work in the field of bioremediation, using microorganisms to rehabilitate polluted land.
I currently work as a GIS intern, mapping utility lines for the Town of Leesburg. Through this internship, I experienced writing a resume, reading equipment instructions and department manuals, and assisted in editing the utility department’s regulations.
I have a variety of interests. Here at school, I play trumpet in the Marching Virginians! When I am home, I volunteer on a sheep farm, working with the animals and performing various chores.
My name is Katelyn Kast, and I am an Environmental Science major and I plan to work in the water quality field. I’m currently and intern for the Town of Christiansburg in the Civil Engineering Department working with stormwater projects throughout the town. With this internship I have had some experience with technical writing through writing letters and making different project proposals. Something neat about myself is that I am actually from Christiansburg and have lived here all of my life, and unlike most people with their home town I would be perfectly happy staying here in the future.
I am a junior double majoring in fisheries science and biology. I have lived in St. Mary’s County, Maryland my whole life. Being from an area near the water I developed an interest for the outdoors and a curiosity for fish. When I grow up I want to do research to solve global fisheries management issues.
My experience with technical writing includes scientific research reports (intro/method/results/discussion). In addition, I have constructed a resume for internship applications. I have also read scientific journal articles for previous class assignments.
Something interesting about me is that I have 2 plates and 9 screws in my left forearm. When I was in 8th grade I was bucked off a horse breaking both my radius and ulna.
Hello. My name is Ryan G, I recently switched from Mechanical Engineering into Building Construction, where I hope to focus on the Building Information Modeling. After I graduate, I would like work for a construction firm that focuses on commercial buildings using BIM. I am from Suffolk, VA, a city in Hampton Roads.
I have very little experience with technical writing. My freshman year, I took an engineering course where I had to write a cover page and a resume. Since then I have had zero experience with technical writing except updating my resume for the career fairs.
In my free time, I enjoy watching TV, playing video games, and spending time with my dog, Zeus. I really enjoy watching sports, especially hockey. I have actually been to two Stanley Cup final games, but was unable to see the cup.
I forgot to do this on time. I am Nicholas Crowder. I am from Gainesville Virginia, about 15 minutes outside of Fairfax. I am a computer science major. I hope to work with computer security at the operating system level, or maybe with coding compilers after college.
I interned at the US Patent office. While I was there I had to write a couple technical papers and read some also.
I love to read the Bible and computer science related books in my free time.