Professional Communication & Personal Growth

Throughout my time in Professional Writing, I developed skills that reshaped how I present myself and communicate professionally. Two types of writing stood out as especially valuable: the professional profile and the reaching out assignments. The professional profile reinforced how important it is for people to quickly understand who you are, what you do, and where you are headed. In professional spaces, whether you are applying for jobs or working with clients, clarity and confidence in self-presentation matter. Learning how to tell my story briefly while still engaging the reader helped me see how intentional wording can make a strong first impression. This assignment pushed me to think strategically about how others perceive me through my writing.

The reaching out writing assignments were equally impactful because they highlighted the importance of audience awareness and platform specific communication. Reaching out to employers or companies is often a make-or-break moment, and generic messaging can easily be overlooked. Understanding how to adapt tone, structure, and content depending on who I am contacting and where I am contacting them gives me a clear advantage. These assignments showed me that effective outreach is not just about what you say, but how and where you say it. Moving forward, I will use these skills to refine how I position myself in professional spaces, helping me stand out among other candidates and move closer to my career goals.

Instructor feedback throughout the course played a major role in shaping my growth as a writer. One piece of feedback that stood out came from Jennie Donovan, who wrote, "It is sincere and personalized. The details you provide allow your audience to form a good idea of your potential and who you are professionally." This feedback reassured me that my authenticity and attention to detail were coming through clearly in my writing. At the same time, the constructive criticism that followed challenged me to improve. Jennie also noted, "When this happens, you risk readers who lose interest and don’t read it through. Be thorough and concise. Find that balance." This feedback helped me understand that strong content still needs discipline and structure to remain effective. Learning to cut without weakening my message is a skill I continue to develop.

Another impactful moment of feedback came from the Complaint Letter Response assignment. The detailed rubric comments confirmed that my writing could meet professional standards when properly structured and intentional. Feedback noting that the response addressed the complaint fully, maintained appropriate tone, and followed formatting standards showed me that organization and clarity significantly strengthen professional writing. Seeing this level of success reinforced the importance of planning and revising rather than relying solely on instinct.

Using AI during the Complaint Letter assignment gave me a clearer understanding of how technology can support, but not replace, my writing process. I found AI most helpful when used as a refinement tool rather than a content generator. After writing my ideas and full drafts myself, AI assisted with tone adjustments, grammar, punctuation, and clarity. It helped ensure that my writing aligned with professional expectations in different scenarios. I do plan to continue using AI in my future career, but only as a tool within my toolbox. My goal is to use it to polish my work and confirm formatting accuracy while keeping my own voice and critical thinking at the center of the process.