Blog 17: Third Answer

1. My essential question is, “What is the most effective method of managing a yearbook staff, while promoting morale and the success of the book?”
2. My third answer is, “A successful editor-in-chief implements a consistent system of training in journalistic skills.”
3. List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.
1. An individual cannot perform a job well if they don’t know how to perform said job.
1. If you’re in a band and you’re about to play a concert, you wouldn’t pull a random person off the the street (who has no musical experience) and tell them to play guitar for your band.
2. Training allows staffers to work even when they’re not instructed.
1. A photographer who knows the rules of photography, and what kind of photos are wanted for the yearbook, can keep their camera on them to capture spontaneous moments. Instead of waiting for a story to be assigned, they take the initiative since they know what is expected of them.
3. Part of training is leading by example, which sets standards for the staff.
1. Teachers who tell the students not use their phone in class, yet use their phone... in class... set a bad example for the students. The students begin to think this sort of behavior is acceptable, or write off orders to stop this behavior due to hypocrisy. It’s a psychological form of training.
4. Pettinato, Minot. "Staff Training Ideas." EHow. Demand Media, 28 Mar. 2011. Web.
5. I’ve had this answer in place since my first lesson, but it didn’t seem strong enough. Now that I’ve thought it through more, I’m confident in this as my third answer.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

Since school’s been out and I haven’t been able to gather the entire staff together (due to vacations and other scheduling issues), I’ve mostly worked with the designers in cranking out spreads from the content that has been submitted. I’ve tried to stay in contact with everyone, and reminded the staff to turn in any and all copy or photos they have so Cesar, Jason, and I actually have something to design with. Since copy has to be edited by the copy editors, I’ve made sure that they check everything to make sure it’s proper and ready to be placed into spreads. Aside from that, there isn’t much that I can do without the staff.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

I’d say the most important thing I learned is that you should always, always plan ahead. Since we took too much extra time completing Deadline 1, we fell behind on Deadline 2. Before break I started assigning stories for Deadline 3, so this doesn’t happen again. However, I failed to emphasize how crucial it was for everyone to submit their work before break. The designers and I didn’t have much to work off of, and that was mostly on me. Of course, I also learned that you can’t always rely on the staff to do yearbook work during a holiday break.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I would interview one of the past editors-in-chief of the IPoly Yearbook, either Elissa Fultz or Emma Seyffert. They would offer a perspective that I can relate to, and have the clarity of hindsight to add to their advice.

Blog 10: EQ

1.   "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
• Tell why they do or don't.

a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• Doesn’t meet rule of three; not specific enough

b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• Meets rule of three; it allows for a broad amount of research, takes a certain stance, and is specific enough for clarity

c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• Meets rule of three; it allows for a broad amount of research, takes a certain stance, and is specific enough for clarity

d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Doesn’t meet rule of three; not specific enough, it’d just be a list of facts

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.  

What is the most effective method of managing a yearbook staff, which promotes morale and the success of the book?

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

•  How best can one manage an editorial staff, so as to promote efficiency and inspiration?

2.  Possible Answers:

•  An editor-in-chief should promote the concept of employee engagement among his or her staff.

•  Clear, concise expectations for the staff and the editors should be set, so everyone knows their role.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

•  Answer 1: The most important source I found supporting this is “What Is Employee Engagement”, an article from the renowned business magazine Forbes.

•  Answer 2: “YEARBOOK EDITORS: Effective Strategies” was extremely useful in finding this answer.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

•  I’ve previously listed Yearbook adviser Rebecca Chai as my mentor, but I may have to change this. Since Ms. Chai is a Yearbook teacher at a different high school, I can’t exactly work under her. I don’t know who I can talk to for other mentorship options, and would like some help figuring this out. I believe last year’s Editor-in-Chief was able to do her mentorship in the yearbook elective when our Herff Jones representative, Mimi Orth, would visit. However, this would not be an option for me as Mimi has opted out of mentoring this year.

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

I struggled to find a decent mentor for my original topic, biomedical engineering with an emphasis on prosthetics. However, considering my status as the Editor in Chief of Yearbook, I decided to stick with Yearbook as my senior project (or Editorial Publishing). I’ve met my mentor at yearbook workshops in the past, but I accomplished my mentorship at the “Yearbooks at the Beach” 5-day long workshop in Long Beach. My mentor, Rebecca Chai, is the yearbook advisor for Walnut High School. Her publications staff has built a reputation of excellence among the yearbook community. The great part about my mentorship is that Walnut HS is only a few minutes away from iPoly, which saves me a good amount of stress.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important article I’ve read so far is called “Staff Development and Change Process: Cut from the Same Cloth.” It’s by Shirley M. Hord, who has worked extensively with the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory and has written several books on the topics of leadership and staff development. This article is really great because it cites multiple studies on staff developmental methods, and basically contains the sum of other articles I’ve found (backed by the aforementioned studies).

More Morale

One major thing my mentor has taught me so far is the importance of morale. If people don't like what they're doing and how they're being treated, they won't want to put effort into their work. I've also found a significant amount of research supported the idea that staff morale is one of the most important aspects of a successful... anything (crazy, huh?). She showed me a decent list of ways that I could raise morale in my own staff, but one of the most basic (and important) is to use icebreakers. 

“But Elijah, what’s an icebreaker?” I’m glad you asked, reader.

An icebreaker is what it sounds like... something to break the ice. They may or may not involve puns. Even though they sound relatively simple and unimportant, icebreakers are necessary to establish an early connection between you, your editors, and your staff. They’re especially effective when you gain new staff members. Every year in yearbook, we get a small group of freshmen who don’t exactly have the best idea of what to expect in the class. The icebreakers are a fun way to ease their nerves, and get them to bond with the experienced members. It’s always good to strengthen the bond of your current staff, too.

This is an example of one of the icebreakers we did on the first day of Yearbook (we adapted the colors a bit, but this is the gist):

Note: I'll be applying the lessons I learn in mentorship to Yearbook

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. Managing an Editorial Publication

2. Working EQ:  How best can one manage an editorial staff, so as to promote efficiency and inspiration?

3. Yes, the WB is on the right hand side of this blog.

2-Hour Presentations

1. What presentations did you see?
• Archaeology : Alicia Garcia
• Gracie Jiu Jitsu : Bryan Posada *
• Criminology : Analysa Gallegos *
• Forensic Science : Arianna Castellanos
• Defense Systems Engineering : Noah Nakielski *
• Graphic Design : Nathan Mira *
• Personality Disorders : Kimberly Gallardo
• Microbiology : Vanessa Machuca *
• Surfing : Garett Soapes *
• Bakery : Beladona Ontiveros
• Culinary Arts : Madisyn Delgado
• Linguistics : Lara McConnaughey *
• Advertising : Gabriela Murillo
• Nursing : Allyana Salud *
• Cake Decorating : Luz Cervantes
• Marine Biology : Felicia Stears

2. What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.  
• What exactly does the Model Assembly component entail, as far as group work and city research?
• Are we allowed to have more than two mentors?
• Can we intern in one place during the summer, and another during the school year?
• How do you get a mentor who works at CalPoly?
• Some people said they found their internships at summer job fairs. What other opportunities were offered there?
3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?
• According to what I've seen in the 2-hour presentations, the most important part of the senior project is passion. If the presenter is passionate about what they're presenting about, regardless if the subject is a hobby or career plan, then their overall experience will be much better. With this positive mindset toward the project, they're more likely to devote time and effort into their senior project, and this all culminates in the 2-hour presentations. People like Vanessa Machuca, Garett Soapes, and Lara McConnaughey were visibly passionate about their topics. Not only were their presentations some of the most engaging, but they also provided interesting and detailed information that clearly displayed the time they spent in research. From what I've heard, all three of these students passed, and Lara even got an E on her presentation. These facts are convincing evidence toward my theory.
4. What topic are you considering doing and why?
• I'm considering doing either Graphic Design or Biological Science.
• Graphic Design: I have experience with various styles of graphic design due to my involvement on the Yearbook design team. It's pretty fun, because I enjoy looking back on my work and taking in the aesthetics. Based on Nathan Mira's presentation, it seems like a viable topic that I can find ample amounts of research on.
• Biological Science: The career I plan on going into is Biomedical Engineering (this will also be my major in college). From what I've researched so far, it's best to have some form of medical/biology background when going into this major, because it can be quite competitive. I know that medical internships are possible, from Vanessa Machuca and Allyana Salud's presentations, but I missed the deadline to apply for most biomedical/medical summer programs (which were in March).
5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?
• I'm still trying to find a decent medical/science program that will accept me, so I can use it for my summer mentorship (I'm determined, because this field will help me in the future). If all else fails, I have mentorships lined up for Graphic Design. My family friend has been a graphic designer for years, and has done work for Nike and Disneyland. I also have connections to the Graphic Design professor at the Art Institute in LA.