Query Letter

10/3/2013

 

Dear Editor,

In recent months I have found myself anxiously anticipating a coming event, an event that many people have in common and that only occurs once every 2 years or so.  Approximately every 24 months, any cell phone user will find his or herself in the same situation - our cell phone carrier allows us to select a brand new electronic companion for a reasonable price.  The trouble?  Deciding which electronic device we will hopefully enjoy using for the next 2 years.  Though a marginally unimportant decision, there are many of us (such as myself) who cling onto their cellular device for dear life - it is the tool with which they fight their day to day battles of socializing and time-wasting.  How does one decide what cell phone will be right for them?  From the casual cell phone carrier to the smart phone tech-jockey, it is a decision we must all make eventually - the hard part is knowing which device is right for you.

I would like to propose an article that lays down a few simple guidelines that anyone can use to assist them in selecting their next cell phone device.  As contracts typically renew once every two years, picking a cell phone is a dedication and it important to pick the one that best suits you (who wants to be stuck hating their life-line for two years!?)

To make this list of easy how-to tips, I will analyze the most common ways that people use their phones, and propose devices that best suit those styles.  Sources will include cell phone enthusiasts and even an ex-cellphone salesman. The tone will be a friendly and personal one, utilizing conversationalist style and jokes.

My qualifications for an article such as this include experience and interactions with Verizon representatives, close friendship with a cellphone salesman, and a fervent enthusiasm for technology (cell phones in particular).  I believe this how-to article could be a short and entertaining piece, and readers could use these tips to help them pick their next cellular device.


Thank you for your consideration,

John McCormick



 
1)  Do you think the idea of virtual internships is a good one?  Would you consider doing one?  What do you think is lacking in a virtual internship that you would get out of a traditional internship?
2) Have you considered pursuing an internship electronically before? What would you change to make sure your online presence is  sufficient or professional enough to pursue an internship in these channels?

3) The articles place great value on Twitter and other social networking sites as methods of finding internships.  Do you think that the traditional methods are outdated, more/less effective?  What other methods could one use to pursue an internship?



 
These readings placed heavy emphasis on the importance of two things: internships and Twitter.  The former is something that I’d always held in high esteem.  Internships are the key to the professional world - they earn you experience, connections, and often lead to jobs even if not directly.  The latter, however, I had my doubts about.  I’ve always known Twitter to be a popular social networking site, but not much more than that.  I’ve seen friends tweet about lovers, funny news stories and pictures of cars.  I’ve seen memes, cat pictures and rage comics.  But not once had I ever seen an internship opportunity posted on Twitter. 

 I suspected that this was because Twitter could only be used for what I had seen, nonsensical friendly banter.  This is not the case though.  Twitter is actually an incredible professional tool if you use it correctly.  The readings suggest that you first follow your favorite companies, something I hadn’t done.  After that, you should engage with them, retweeting their tweets and even asking questions.  Sometimes you’ll see internship opportunities pop up, and other times you can even reach out to a company spokesperson over Twitter inquiring about such opportunities yourself.  Electronic interaction is becoming an increasingly important facet of our professional world.  In fact, there is even a such thing as virtual internships, where one literally does not even have to interact with the business in person, but rather conducts all affairs electronically.  To me this is incredible, and it’s an optimistic indication that our times are changing for the better.  I plan to be much more aggressive about my involvement in Twitter and other networking sites professionally, and hopefully I can land an internship as a result.
 
This week’s readings were concentrated on building one’s reputation as a writer and creating a network of contacts.  The electronic age has entirely changed the way things are done in the world of professional exposure and networking.  It has become all but necessary for one to maintain a strong professional online presence, and use online professional networking sites to their advantage.  While I have always considered one’s online presence important, I have not gone tremendously out of my way to create a professional online personality for myself.  I have always considered making a Linked In profile, but I suppose I just never quite got around to it.  After reading through these articles and considering the point I’m at in my career, I knew that it was time for me to start networking and focusing on branding myself.  The articles touch on strategies for ensuring one’s desired content appears higher on search engine results, and that online content is always kept interesting and up to date.  Though Linked In is still the primary source for professional networking, employers still take Facebook and Twitter into consideration, two networking sites that I have been neglecting for quite some time.  I am about to graduate, and this is the time that I need to be building my online presence and branding myself as a professional.  Marketing oneself is often the difference between landing a job and not.  
 
After this week’s readings graduate school is becoming a much more real possibility for me.  I had never really considered going - I’ve found that I have lost much of my enthusiasm for continuing education, I suppose I feel like I am ready to get a high-paying job and enter the workforce now.  However, graduate school makes job possibilities much more realistic.  According to the “Why Graduate School?” article, graduates typically make about $10,000 more annually with every degree they have.  Starting at an average of $42,000 a year, this jumps to $52,000 with an M.A.  In today’s economy, it such an increase in annual income is hard to resist.  And in today’s competitive job market, having a higher degree opens up exponentially more job possibilities, the value of which cannot be understated. 
 My particular fields of interest consist of any mixture of technology and writing.  Things such as online content editing, web-based product reviews, etc. are the most appealing career options for me.  Initially I hadn’t really considered a graduate program because I wasn’t exactly sure where my interests would fit in.  But after browsing the programs on New Pages, I see that my options for a graduate program are much more realistic than I originally anticipated, even here at Rowan University.  This week’s readings make a convincing case for the importance of graduate programs and higher educational degrees, and given the current competitive nature of the job market I will very seriously reconsider my educational future.
 
* Are you satisfied with your current projects, or are you feeling unchallenged?

As I am currently working as an intern at Rowan, I do feel satisfied with my projects.  The work that I am doing is pushing my skills technologically and in terms of writing as well.  It provides me with a creative outlet while I continue my studies, and it also helps me to hone a skill set that I very much expect to use in the future.
* Where do you see yourself a year or two from now?

In a year or two I see myself working in some sort of technology position at a writing business of some sort.  I would like to deal with both writing and technology together, in my ideal situation.  Of course, I don't see how likely this goal is at this point in my career, but it is something that I plan to work toward every day until then.  
* What are your long-term career goals?

In the long term, I would love to secure myself a position as a technology consultant or technology mediator at a writing establishment.  As just about all publications are moving toward the electronic medium, it seems suitable that I be able to assist in that transition.  
* Which books, articles and blogs will help you branch into new territory?

There are countless blogs and online publications that can help me to achieve my goal, if not through information then through example.  The electronic age has practically mandated that publications take their information online, and there has been no shortage of literature documenting this phenomenon.
* Who do you know who may be able to offer you advice on making a transition?

I have been fortunate in my networking to meet numerous individuals that I believe can assist me in transitioning into the professional world.  My internship supervisor, Dr. Kopp, shares many of my creative visions in regard to technology and writing.  Dr. Wolff has also been of great inspiration to me about many related topics, specifically those covered in Writing, Research & Technology.  In addition, my internship predecessor has actually gone on to become the technology consultant for the Courier Post through his talents and networking achieved here at Rowan University.  He has offered me excellent advice, and I know that I could always consult him about my own ability to transition into something professional.
 
Much like anything else, being a successful author is something that takes time and practice.  Great writing, a tremendous endeavor in and of itself, is only a part of the process.  In fact, getting published has a multitude of considerations, some of which had eluded me until studying these readings.  Though I have not very seriously considered becoming a published author (it takes a special kind of person, no doubt), it seems invaluable to me to understand the processes behind it and to know how the market works.

In “9 First-Sale Mistakes to Avoid” Allen Moira details extensively the process of making one’s first publication sale.  It’s much more than simply selling your work to a publisher.  One must consider the rights they are selling to the publisher, the amount of money to  be received in exchange for those rights, and when to expect receiving the money.  While these might seem like normal considerations for a business transaction, Moira explains that many first-sale authors are too timid or hesitant to pursue these considerations.  I can put myself in this situation and it seems plausible that I would be so very excited at my sale that I might overlook some of the most important bits, such as signing a contract that I don’t fully understand.

The other readings continue, detailing even further considerations such as when an author may resubmit a work that was published, or if an author can submit to multiple publications at a time.  Like anything else, the world of published writing is a market, and I feel much more prepared armed with the answers to these questions.  I imagine before I might have been a doe-eyed, young writer, excited to accept any offer thrown my way and then soon to be taken advantage of.  It even helps to know that there are other means of publication, as outlined in “Bypass Obstacles to Traditional Publication”.  By publishing through online spaces, such as Amazon’s CreateSpace, authors can diminish costs and some risks of the publication industry.  I find it remarkable that the industry has so many intricacies that I never considered before, and I feel much more confident as a writer armed with this knowledge.