Blogs as a genre are more informal and immediate than most other forms of technical writing. The purpose of this assignment is to use that informality, as well as the capacity for linking to a variety of online media, to think reflectively about current trends and topics being discussed in the broader business and technical world outside of class. The goal is to engage more thoroughly with your own discipline and the role writing will have in your professional life.  This assignment will also help you create a fuller picture of yourself for hiring purposes.

Blogging is your opportunity to join the read/write digital culture of the 21st century and enhance your social media skills. For additional guidance regarding how to blog effectively, visit O’Reilly’s Radar. O’Reilly suggests that bloggers’ primary key to successful communication is using an “authentic, personal voice, and [the] ability to synthesize news with viewpoint.”

It is also true that more and more employers are asking applicants if they have a website or other web presence that they can access easily.  Managing your “digital tattoo” is crucial when over 90% of recruiters perform an online search of a candidate before setting up an interview.  By ruthlessly editing your web presence and creating a more professional online portfolio, you can develop a rich alternative for employers who want to see beyond your one-page resume.  The interactive nature of blogging also allows us to create online communities through written conversation.