PROJECTS
THE INTROVERT'S GUIDE TO SOCIAL NETWORKING
I created this how-to video for my Technology and Career Development course. The goal was to teach fellow introverts how to use their unique assets to thrive at online social networking.
Building one's network is a critical part of professional development. It's often associated with job searching, but networking can also provide access to peer support, industry knowledge, and help establish credibility in your field. For people with introverted tendencies, this can be challenging. The good news is that a lot of networking now happens online – where introverts can really shine!
I decided on this topic because I know how important networking is – both for my own career development, and for that of my clients. There’s a lot of information out there about how to network in person as an introvert, but not so much about how to make it work (and work well!) online. I took the opportunity to help fill that gap.
When planning this presentation, I combined two main topics: how to network online (general audience), how to network in-person (introverts), and infused them with my own experiences as an introvert in an extrovert-oriented society. I created the slides and graphics in Canva and used Screencast-o-matic to record the video and audio. I would like to continue exploring the design possibilities in Canva, and get a more detailed understanding of video editing.
Interestingly, until recently I thought that I didn’t like presenting. Now I see that while I could do without being in front of a live audience; I really enjoy everything else about it, from figuring out how to communicate an idea in a creative and compelling way to building it into a polished finished product.
WE DIG TREE PLANTING! A VOLUNTEER EVENT
In late fall 2017, I planned and coordinated a volunteer event as part of an ongoing effort to restore retired farmland on a property owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). On this particular day, we were planting trees in order to increase the amount of natural vegetation along a creek adjacent to the field. Within a few hours, our 16 volunteers had planted more than 75 trees, providing habitat for local wildlife.
For media coverage, see this article in the Clinton News Record.
This involved: selecting and ordering appropriate tree species within the set budget, collaborating with local partners – the Lower Maitland Stewardship Group, and a farmer to plan logistics and site set-up, recruiting volunteers, running the event the day-of, and reporting on the results. I was responsible for ensuring everyone received a health and safety orientation, felt valued for their contributions, and had fun!
This project highlights many of my strengths. I am very organized and detail-oriented, so I plan ahead for many contingencies. I get a lot of satisfaction from managing a project from start to finish, particularly when it’s a collaborative effort. Finally, I appreciate opportunities to engage others and help them feel appreciated and important. I see this part in particular aligning very well with my career goals. My approach to career counselling emphasizes supporting clients in their exploration and helping them see their strengths.
Photo: Clinton News Record