Introductions

Hey there! I'm Suzie Mason a senior in PW with a minor in Communication. I am originally from IN although I've spent a lot of time living in Phoenix, AZ. I currently reside in Indianapolis where I am completing an internship and working part-time.

Career goals... yeah. I hope that after December I can find a decent paying job that I like. It would be nice if it involved writing, but I'm up for anything. I also would like it to work for a non-profit. I hope that this course will help me gain even more marketable skills that land me a great job!

Something personal... Umm... I really enjoy musical theatre and am looking forward to graduating so I can finally have some time to participate in community theatre productions!

I'm from Evansville, IN. Yes, it may be minutes from Kentucky, but indeed I am a Hoosier. I am a senior in Professional Writing and Communications. I really enjoy the design aspect of the major, but I gravitate more towards what I'm more familiar with which is writing. I love entertainment writing and hope to work for a magazine or publishing company following graduation. Thanks to an internship this past summer, I've found that I enjoy the atmosphere of a magazine, so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll land a job in that area.

As far as something personal, I am a huge goofball. I do "thumbs-up" way too much and make the lamest jokes. I'm really not a funny person, but people seem to get a kick out of that from time to time. Maybe you will one day! (Thumbs-up!)

Name's Mike Livingston from Fort Wayne, Ind. I'm double major in creative/professional writing. I'm a senior. Interested in journalism and multimedia. I'm editor-in-chief of The Exponent so that takes up a lot of time. Been working there for nine semesters including 2 summers.

My name is Kristen Short. I am a senior in Professional Writing from Indianapolis. I love to read so I am interested in working in the publishing field. I would like to learn more about editing in this course. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and I am currently reading Anna Karenina. So far, it's not too bad but it's definitely not one of the easiest books to get through.

I'm Sam Schneider and I am from Columbia City, Indiana, which is a town about a half hour northwest of Ft. Wayne. I am a senior with a double major in Professional Writing and History, and minoring in Communication. My areas of interest include desktop publishing/document design as well as editing.

From this course I would like to learn more about editing various publications and gain more experience with that as well as develop and design my portfolio.

In my spare time I like to read, sketch, run, and play soccer.

This is Holly Pierson. I'm from Ellettsville, Ind., which is located near Bloomington.

I'm a senior in English Literature and Professional Writing. I'm interested in fiction writing and editing. In this course, I'm looking to diversify my writing and editing skills. In my free time, I'm a science fiction junkie.

Hi everyone,

I'm a senior here at Purdue and I plan on graduating in December 2010. I'm double majoring in psychology and professional writing, and minoring in Spanish. Though professional writing is my major, I also enjoy writing fiction and creative non-fiction. Career-wise, I am most interested in going into counseling or editing and publishing.

I hope that this course will help me create a solid portfolio that I can use in the future. Moreover, I'm looking forward to learning more about editing and strengthening my editing skills.

Whenever the weather's warm, I like to be outdoors, whether I'm camping, spending a day at the beach, or just taking a walk around Purdue.

My name is Kaye and I'm from Downers Grove, IL, it's on the west side of Chicago. I'm a senior in professional writing with minors in creative writing, political science and natural resources and environmental sciences.

I'm up for anything after graduation, since I have lots of interests. But my top three are editing/publishing, non-profit or environmental conservation. I plan to try editing/publishing first since that is what I have the most experience in and after my internship over the summer, I'm sure I'll like it.

I have a lot of hobbies, but I'll tell you that I'm the Purdue Western Equestrian Team. I love horses, I like the show them, ride them, and can't wait to buy one when I graduate!

I was born and raised in West Lafayette. I chose Purdue based an academics and maybe a little bit of legacy, but certainly not because it is located close to home. I am a senior this year double majoring in Public Relations/Rhetorical Advocacy and Professional Writing. I also have a minor in Spanish. After graduation in the spring, I would really like to attend graduate school at Northwestern. If this plan falls through, then I will look for employment with an advertising agency, possibly in Indianapolis, but I do not want to be there forever.

I am most excited about this course because it will give me a chance to improve my portfolio both as a hard copy and in the digital arena. It is something I have wanted to do for quite some time, and this class will give me an excellent opportunity to learn and improve in this area. I am also eager to learn more about the editorial process and how I can improve there as well.

I am an avid baseball fan, though I do not get a chance to watch it as much as I would like to. I face a lot of ridicule because I enjoy watching both the Yankees and the White Sox. I also have a passion for music. I am a Purduette, which is Purdue's all-female varisty vocal performance group. It is quite the time commitment but this organization provides a great opportunity for me to share my love of music with others.

Hi! My name is Francesca San Pedro and I am from Bolingbrook, IL (located about 30 miles southwest of Chicago). I am a senior in professional writing with minors in linguistics and Spanish language and literature.

As a senior, I am getting a bit nervous--I have learned which fields I would prefer NOT to work in, rather than which ones I am interested in. Currently, I am exploring the idea of becoming a technical writer. However, I have always been interested in the editorial side of publishing.

That being said, I think this class will be highly beneficial. I expect to learn more about myself as a writer (my strengths, my interests, etc.), and believe the course material will broaden the possibilities open to me. I am looking forward to gaining more editing experience as well as creating a portfolio.

This year, you may often find me in the writing lab: I am the president of PW Club, a business writing consultant for the writing lab, and the Crouse intern for PW/the writing lab. (Prepare yourself for the shameless plugs to follow!)

The PW Club Callout is this Tuesday, Sept. 1st at 6 p.m. in Heavilon 226 (the writing lab). The writing lab also begins consultations on Sept. 7th. Take advantage of what the lab can offer!

- Francesca San Pedro

Dan Elliott here, and I hail from Ft. Wayne, IN. I will be graduating in December with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Professional Writing. I enjoy creating things, whether it be prose or a robot, both of which I have designed. I am interested in writing anything of significance, whether it be a fictional short story or an essay.

As to career goals, I would like to work for a consulting firm developing products for various industries. I am also open to working in the alternative energy industry. I would like to publish some of my writing as well, and will be looking to do so later this year.

From this course I hope to sharpen my editing skills, which will no doubt improve my writing.

In terms of hobbies and the like, I read, workout/play racquetball, drink (always in moderation of course), and generally try to make the best out of existence.

DE

I grew up in a small town called Hebron, Indiana. I have lived in West Lafayette since 2006 and have loved the area since then. My major is, of course, Professional Writing and my minor is Biology. All I have to say is Thank God I am finished with my science courses!

I am currently job searching for when I graduate in December and I am looking for any extra experience I can grab. From this class, I hope to gain valuable editing experience that I can add to my resume. Job searching is hard these days and any extra qualifications are definitely welcome on my resume.

Over the summer, I bought a ukulele and have been playing it since, so that is my new hobby. It's such a great instrument because it's very portable and is pretty easy to learn.

Hello! I am from the Indianapolis area (Fishers). I was originally from Michigan, but my family moved when I was quite young. I still call Michigan home, however and consider it the best state in the US!

My major is professional writing and I am a senior (hurray!). I am attempting a minor in Political Science.

I am interested in marketing and how it relates to visual communication as well as written. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a graphic designer. However, I am interested in how effective writing and style can influence consumers and consumer behavior. I would like to work in marketing and possibly editing. I am Not interested in grant writing or any kind of freelance writing (I like consistency). I would like to eventually become a fully certified coach.

I have one major goal for this course: portfolio material.

I love to watch hockey (go Redwings!) and I like to take walks and go for hikes.

My name is Caroline Mochel, and I am in my fourth year at Purdue. I am in the Professional Writing program, as well as double minoring in Communications and English Literature. I am interested in music and traveling to see my favorite bands, as well as getting caught up in a good read!

I enjoy reading magazines and will hopefully doing some work in the field of journalism, as well as writing a book at some point. I hope English 515 helps me to increase editing skills, as well as produce a portfolio that I can use in the future, while job hunting.

I also love Mexican cuisine, the White Sox, Colorado, and my family. I am definitely looking forward to a great semester!

My name is Jess Clements, and I went to high school in West Lafayette, _Ohio_ (a small town of about 2000 or so people in northeast Ohio). I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Rhetoric and Composition. My secondary areas are Rhetoric, Technology and Digital Writing and Public Rhetorics. I received my B.A. in English Literature from Capital University in 2006 and my M.A. in English Language and Literature (with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition and Digital Media Studies) from the Ohio State University in 2008. I'd like to teach new media/writing at a small, liberal arts institution after earning my doctorate. Even though I’m starting my eighth year of college, this is the first Professional Writing course I have had the opportunity to take, and I hope that it will make me a better prepared mentor for English majors on down the line as well as solidify and professionalize my present editing skills. People usually get a kick out of the fact that my husband and I met six years ago in an Oscar Mayer bacon-processing plant (my summer job as an undergraduate); we also have two (nearly twenty-pound) kitties named Frisbee (in honor of one of my favorite sports, Ultimate Frisbee) and Jello.

Hey everyone- Maggie from Fort Wayne here. I'm a senior majoring in PW and minoring in Com, Soc, and Peace Studies. I'm graduating in May and pretty much have no direction as to what I want to do when I enter the real world.

I'm really into travel and have considered travel writing, but it seems like a pretty hard field to break into. Publishing also interests me, but I'm not in love with the idea of being in a really competitive environment where there's a big emphasis on politics. I'm considering going into a volunteer program in the States that's similar to the Peace Corps., but not as long of a commitment. Eventually I'd like to go back to school and then after do PR consulting for companies trying to make the world a better place I guess for now I'll just focus on actually finding a job in the first place.

During this course I'm looking forward to creating the web portion of my professional portfolio. I feel like my print aspect is fairly strong, but the online part is severely lacking.

As for something personal, I really want to live on a beach someday. Summer's my favorite season and I'm into everything to do with water and warm weather. I just started surfing this summer and I'm in love with it... even though I'm not that great.

My name is Ryan Gardner, and I am still trying to figure out where I am from. I have lived in 6 different states and over a dozen different houses. I have probably lived by all of you. I am currently a senior working on half a victory lap. My major is professional writing, and my minor is Spanish. I took classes in Spain this summer to improve my spanish skills.

I am mainly interested in sports and music. I would really like to cover either of these topics, especially the NFL. Someday, I want to go on ESPN and argue sports with Skip Bayless. From this course, I would like to learn about targeting and keeping an audience.

My favorite sport to play is futbol, and my favorite sport to watch is football. For now, I enjoy going out with friends. Maybe I will see you guys out there.

Hi, I'm Shawn Dildine. I am from Lafayette, IN, yea...I'm a townie, and I'm a Senior majoring in professional writing, and minoring in mass communication. I would like to obtain a job that incorporated my love of graphic designing, social networking, and professional writing. I know i'm shooting big, but I like to set my goals high.

In 515 I would like to polish my knowledge of professional writing, so that I am prepared when I enter the job market after my graduation in December. It's scary that I only have one semester left, and I think that is why I am so passionate for learning as much as I can.

One thing that is personal about myself? Well, I am getting married to my wonderful fiance, Darcy, on October 10,2010. We've been together three years, and I can't wait for the next chapter in our lives.

Alex Cash! I do hope that this won't type cast me for being the late one, because I am usually very timely. I hail from Paducah, Kentucky, which is halfway between Possum Trot and Monkey's Eyebrow (I swear to you, google it).

Other than my colorful origin, there are many other aspects of my life that seem rather strange. The first of which would be my choice in study here at Purdue, which include two majors in Apparel Design and Technology and Professional Writing, as well as a minor in Fine Arts. When i am not slaving away in the sewing lab, or tucked away in the basement of Pao, I enjoy sleeping, pounding magazines, sketching, reading (for fun), and the occasional night on the town.

I hope to improve my writing and editing skills through this course, as I hope to write about fashion or design when getting a job comes around, that is of course if no one will buy the clothes I aspire to design.