September Time Log

Objectives

Program Learning Outcomes (Comm Department):

1.  Explain and apply concepts from communication theoretical traditions in small groups, business, interpersonal, mass media, and public settings.
2.  Create appropriate and effective messages based on skilled analysis of the audience and situation using mediated and non-mediated presentations with a variety of purposes (inform, persuade, entertain, advocate, and celebrate).
3.  Apply good reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving skills in interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, and mass media settings, while incorporating ethical principles of the discipline.
4.  Apply effective skills in researching, organizing, and writing appropriate professional documents, personal communication, and effective communication analysis.
5.  Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication knowledge and skills in achieving a global perspective.

My Personal Capstone Objectives:

1.  Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues and high school students (4, 5)
2.   Learn how to create and understand statistics to improve my job area (1, 4)
3.  Improve my time management skills by prioritizing tasks that need to be completed (4)
4.  Become a better listener by practicing active listening and nonverbal communication to let others know I am engaged
5.  Improve my "customer" care by understanding the goals of Desert Hills High School Students and what they need to achieve them (2, 3)
6.  Create social media that informs high school students of useful information for their futures (2, 3)
7.  Gain the ability to adapt my presentations to fit the needs of my audience(2, 3)

Capstone Synopsis:

                 For my capstone project I am going to work with Desert Hills High School as a ‘College Access Advisor’ to ensure students are ready and prepared to continue their educations following high school.  To accomplish this, I will: 1.) lead presentations that inform each senior of the benefits of higher education, teach students how to apply for scholarships/financial aid, help students successfully apply to multiple colleges of their choice, individually meet with students who need extra help, help students prepare to take the ACT or SAT, and establish and run a Facebook page informing students of college deadlines, helpful ACT prep tips, advice, etc. 

I will be using communication theories, such as the Social Presence Theory, to ensure I am creating an appropriate, useful online presence for my audience.  I will develop my Facebook account and enhance my presentations as needed to fit the needs of my audience.  I will be organized and professional when meeting with students individually to guarantee I am helping them in the best way possible and building relationships.  As I work with students, I hope to discover new methods to better the post-high school process for them and their counselors. 

To measure my success, I will survey students on my presentation skills to determine whether or not they receive the message I am sending them, I will monitor and analyze my social media to see how often it is used, and I will compare the scholarship/financial aid/college applications/etc. statistics to those of the past few years.

The outcome and success of this project will be extremely valuable.  Higher education is so important and many students are interested in furthering their education, they just don’t know how.  At a large high school like Desert Hills, counselors are largely outnumbered and unable to maintain relationships with each student individually.  Because of this, students miss out on opportunities they have no idea about.  If my project is successful, counselors will be able to utilize social media as a source to help them connect with each student and keep them informed about information that is crucial to their futures.