Writing with a Group

Composing a group writing assignment has taught me many different things.  To begin with, I learned many things regarding the assigned topic, an online image, especially as it specifically relates to me.  While exploring the available information applicable to the topic of our paper, I was exposed to numerous facts that I had not previously known, such as: the extremely high percentage of companies that conduct online research of applicants before contact is even made for an interview, the importance of asking for written recommendations throughout your education and career, the various tools available that will notify you when something with your name tagged or attached is posted to the Internet, and, most significant to me personally, the perceived negativity that a lack of presence on the Internet can portray to employers looking at candidates that have applied for positions.  As I stated in my previous post, I have become more aware of my online image, or the current lack thereof, and am determined to show my future employers that I have kept up with the lightning fast pace of recent technological advancements.  After researching the vital role an online image now plays in the hiring and professional networking process, I found that the way to achieve my goal is to have a variety of positive, worthy information about me that is readily available through the most popular search engines.

Aside from the valuable information I learned about the subject matter contained within the report itself, I also gained an increase in social skills purely from the act of working on an academic project within a group.  I'm the type of person that is a natural leader so, as a result, I have always taken employment where I can utilize that part of my personality.  In general, whether it be at home or work, I make the decisions and give the orders.  This aspect of my persona can be both a strength and a weakness depending on the situation I find myself in.  At home, and in my usual employment in management, I've found that it is a strength.  This group assignment placed me in a position where I was required to hold back that urge to completely take over and tell the other group members what to write and how to accomplish said task.  In order for it to be a group project, and not just a paper that I wrote and put the other group members' names on, I had to reign myself in and really listen to the opinions, thoughts, and comments of the rest of the group.  All in all, I feel that the assignment taught me awareness of both my online image and my tendency to take charge and push others out.  It gave me an opportunity to work on myself as a person, and anything that gives you something that is beneficial to your personal growth is worth the time and effort you invest.