Vanessa Keith

Mrs. Schroder
AP Literature & Composition
February 7, 2017
Final Reflection

1. While writing your paper, what did you learn about the research process?

I learned many things through the process of writing my twelve page research paper.
Specifically, the steps it takes to properly cite sources using NCwiseowl, use of time, and how to
layout my research effectively to make it comprehensive. After conducting the research, I have a
lot more knowledge of the specific career in Cause-marketing and Public Relations. For instance,
I learned about the path to take to get into the job including education. I also learned the career
involves various strategies to generate awareness and achieve results through compelling
positioning using social media, and other communication tools.

2. How was the research related to your mentor Hours?

My mentor hours were crucial for my full understanding of the career. I was able to bring
the words of my paper to life by observing and working with my mentor, Lauren Petervary. Mrs.
Petervary graduated from Louisiana State University and has been working in the field of
Marketing and Event planning for more than 5 years. She had many things to teach me that I
would have never learned from researching, like the importance of working well with others and
effective ways to organize that fits my style. She told me the details of her everyday life, the
stress that came along with meeting deadlines, etc., and the steps she took to ultimately be more
productive.

3. Summarize the mentor hours that you Completed.

During my initial plan of working with CSD for a powder puff game, we discussed many
topics to make it work and run smoothly. We started with contacting those who would be
involved, like the Athletic directors at Pine Lake and CSD as well as the directors at Ada
Jenkins, to ask for permission, collaborate, and donate to a cause. In detail, she taught me how to
write professional emails and talk to each of person in person, as well as to very polite because it
is harder to say no to someone in person. We discussed a timeline of when things should happen
to ensure everything would run smoothly on the day of the game. Also, we set goals for the event
regarding the number of players, referees, and spectators to be involved. This eventually led to
how much money we should raise. During the second meeting, in her office, we discussed the
process of event planning, including various organizational skills that are essential for this
career. For the third meeting, Mrs. Petervary told me that I would be able to work with her on a
charity event at Rural Hill. We planned accordingly so the event would run smoothly. On the day
of the event, I worked at the check in booth and kept things in order.
4. How did working with your mentor affect your understanding of the topic area and /or
the professional world?

My mentor thoroughly explained to me what goes into the process of planning and
funding an event. At the time, it seemed like a lot of information to take in, but once I saw how it
was done by observing her, it was more comprehensible. Especially after working at the event, I
was able to see how all the hard work and the process of organizing and executing the plan
definitely paid off. My mentor not only explained to me the skills that go into this career but alto
what to do in furthering my education. She emphasized that the more experience you have in the
field while getting your education, the more successful you are upon graduation. Furthermore,
she encouraged me to have an internship in college to make sure I would have more experience
and be more likely to get hired, because many college graduates prefer a job in marketing. Also,
she explained that I would be most successful getting a job if I know how to work well with
people, which is so essential to success in this field.

a. If you mentor was not directly related to your topic, what did you learn about the
profession that can be translated to any future professional setting?

My mentor mostly concentrates on event planning and less on marketing. However, most
of the events she plans are related to charities. During the planning of my original project, Rival
for the Good, my mentor knew exactly what to do and taught me many things about the process
of event planning. For example, I had never seen a professional timeline that contained every
detail, from initial contact with those involved to the time vendors would arrive on the day of the
event. I realized these organizational skills are essential to any career, as well as to a more
organized life in general. Personally, I am not a very organized person because, prior to this
project, I did not realize how putting extra effort into organizing and planning helps. I learned
quickly that organizing reduces stress, minimizes time looking for things, and helps a person to
be more focused and more productive.

b. If your mentor contributed to the development of the product, how were they involved?

When planning my PLP/CSD powder puff game, Rival for the Good, my mentor helped
me enormously. Because of her career, she knows many local businesses, which is what gave us
the idea to have vendors present at the event to contribute some of their profit to the local
organization. She was also responsible for helping me contact all those involved by writing
professional emails, explaining the who, what, where, and when or the project and event. My
mentor helped me create the timeline so that I could manage my time to successfully conduct the
event. Mrs. Petervary also had marketing ideas to create flyers, design shirts, create hallway
decorations, as well as asking clubs from PLP to help with fundraising, such as having boys
dress like cheerleaders. I loved all of her ideas and understood that it would attract more of an
audience because I pictured myself as a student and wanting to go. In my product now, I
understand how to organize my thoughts correctly to make it more comprehendible for the
viewer. When I found that I was unable to organize the CSD v. PLP powder puff game, my
mentor explained to me there was not enough time to organize another event, so I came up with
the idea of marketing for Environment North Carolina (ENC) iMovie.
5. How did creating a product and completing the hours challenge you personally?

Personally, I found the product very stressful and hard to complete. As mentioned earlier,
I am not a very organized person and I happened to choose a career that required excellent
organizational skills. Creating my product with iMovie was very challenging because I had never
used that software before. I found that creating an iMovie requires a lot of patience and small
details are very important to make it look professional. I feel as though I have a whole new
understanding of technology and how to make presentations look attractive.

6. Do you feel prepared academically and emotionally for the presentation?a. If not, why?
What challenges do you still face to feel prepared?

After the many hours with my mentor and research I felt very prepared for the
presentation. I knew that I had extensive knowledge on the topic and was ready to show all what
I had learned. However, I did feel nervous to present in front of the judges because I may be
compared to my other classmates, who have also mastered their presentation and topics. In the
end, I knew through practicing in my public speaking class and at home in front of my parents
that I had improved presenting in front of an audience and was going to present to the best of my
ability and impress the judges.

7. How did the entire process stretch you as a learner and as an individual?

The Pride Project has definitely matured me as an individual and has better prepared me
for college and career. First and foremost, I learned how to properly write a research paper.
Although it is very time consuming, it is important to take the time to properly execute the
information and cite sources accordingly. While working with my mentor, I learned it is crucial
to manage time and organize, otherwise nothing will turn out well. For my product, which
switched from a powder puff game between PLP and CSD to an iMovie about Environment
North Carolina, I learned the hard truth of not relying on others, and that it is my responsibility to
always have a backup plan put in place, especially when counting on others. In the process of
creating my product of an iMovie, it was very difficult because I had never used the software
before and I found that the smallest details are very important for the finished product. For
presenting, I know now how to properly present information and not get nervous in front of an
audience. I also know not that the more you practice public speaking, the better the presentation
will be.

8. Other than time management, describe an obstacle you encountered and how you
overcame it.

Creating an idea for my product was very challenging for me from the start. Then, the
fact that my entire product had to be changed created more stressful obstacles for me. At first,
developing Rival for the Good, I did not imagine that CSD would not participate so I planned my
first product idea accordingly, figuring they would say yes. After waiting for months on their
approval, they turned down the offer and I felt confused and worried that I would not have a
product. I was naive and now I know now that people are not always willing to help out as much
as I would like them to be. I also know that if people are very busy with their own lives, they
may not want to participate in something that will take their time. I was overly optimistic and I
know now to have more realistic expectations of people. Also, I should not have put in so much
work without first having the permission of all parties involved.

9. What life skills did you acquire and how will they help you in the future?

The valuable skills I learned were improving my organizational skills. Also, I now know
how to properly write a research paper, like citing sources and managing time. The project also
helped me develop my leadership skills because I helped motivate people to participate in the
Rival for the Good. With Rival for the Good, I learned to have more realistic expectations of
people and to not put in so much work into something without a definite answer that it will
happen. From my iMovie product, I learned how environmental issues impact my daily life and
how I can be more environmentally aware. I know now to be confident in presenting in front of
an audience by practicing in front of my family and friends first.

10. If you had to go back and do parts of the project again, what would you do differently?

If I could go back, I would not have put in so much work in Rival for the Good before
getting approval because I felt like my time was wasted and it made it seem more harsh when
CSD said they could not participate. Also, I wish I had chosen a more independent project so I
could have more control. Lastly, the whole process would have been easier if I had managed my
time better and more realistically, with a better understanding of how long things take and that
procrastination just makes life more difficult.

11. Based on the entire Pride Project experience, do you plan to pursue this field as a
career or college area of study? If so, why? If not, why? Please be specific.

I learned the most important decision of my life through the Pride Project, that working in
the field of Cause-Marketing and Public Relations is not for me. My organizational skills are not
my strong suit and when I choose my career I am going to be honest with myself, and pursue
what Im good at. For example, the many small details that go into planning a program or
campaign are tedious to me. However, I learned from this that I do work well with others and am
good at motivating others to be involved, which I believe are important leadership skills. For
instance, many of my peers were excited to participate in Rival for the Good. I also found that I
do enjoy the creative aspect of marketing, like finding fun ways to get people excited. Finally, I
learned that overall the field of Marketing is not very meaningful to me, although I do
understand the importance of it. It was an honor to inform people the amazing organization that
helps preserve my home, North Carolina.