My journey in ENG 317: A reflection

This semester, I learned that being a good writer is about more than just making sure everything is grammatically correct. Good communication comes from understanding who I am writing to, what I am trying to accomplish, and how I can make my message clear to the people reading it. Before this course, I usually focused on getting my ideas down and making sure the assignment was complete. As the semester went on, I started paying more attention to the choices behind my writing and how those choices could affect my audience.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this course came from working on my job application materials. Writing a cover letter for the Portland Sea Dogs made me think differently about professional writing. I could not just list my experiences and expect the reader to understand why I was a good candidate. I had to connect my experiences to the position and explain how my skills could benefit the organization. I talked about my work at the YMCA, my experiences at University of Maine sporting events, and my role with LUG Sports. These experiences helped me show that I already had experience with communication, event coordination, teamwork, and working with fans.

My experience with LUG Sports has also helped me see how important communication is in a real-world setting. As a Campus Commissioner and Hockey Game Day Staff member, I work with players, fans, officials, and facility staff. I also help with recruiting, game operations, and social media. These responsibilities have taught me that communication does not always happen through a formal piece of writing. Sometimes it is a quick conversation, a social media post, an email, or simply knowing how to communicate with someone during a busy event. This course helped me connect those experiences to the communication skills I am developing as a student.

Another project that challenged me was my professional leadership course proposal. I had to take an idea and turn it into something that could realistically be presented to an academic audience. I proposed a course that would help students develop skills such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, conflict resolution, and project management. The hardest part was not coming up with the idea. It was figuring out how to explain it clearly and make the proposal feel realistic. I had to think about why the course was needed, what it would include, what benefits it would provide, and how the college could actually introduce it.

Creating the implementation plan was especially helpful because it forced me to think beyond the main idea. I had to consider things like choosing an instructor, developing course materials, getting feedback, piloting the course, and making changes based on that feedback. This showed me that strong communication is not just about having a good idea. It is also about giving people enough information to understand the idea and see how it could work.

Throughout the semester, I also became more comfortable with the writing process. I have always been someone who likes to get all of my ideas onto the page first and organize them afterward. While that approach can work, I learned that taking more time to plan and think about my audience can make the final product much stronger. Revision became more than fixing spelling or grammar. I started looking at whether my ideas were organized, whether I was repeating myself, and whether my writing actually communicated what I wanted it to.

The two main pieces I selected for this portfolio show different parts of my growth. My job application demonstrates my ability to communicate professionally and write toward a specific audience. My leadership proposal shows that I can organize information, support an idea, and create a practical solution. Together, they show how I have become more comfortable adjusting my communication depending on the situation.

Looking ahead, I know these skills will be important in my future career. I am interested in sports, marketing, and communication, and all three fields depend heavily on being able to connect with different audiences. Whether I am helping run a sporting event, promoting a brand, communicating with fans, or working with a team, I will need to know how to communicate clearly and effectively.

Overall, this semester helped me realize that I am not just writing to complete assignments. I am developing skills that I will continue to use in my professional life. I have become more aware of my audience, more comfortable with revision, and more confident in my ability to communicate my ideas. I still have plenty to improve, but I feel like I have a much better understanding of my own writing process and the kind of communicator I want to become.