Mid-Semester Reflection Post

Ai generated image four female cartoon headshots looking up and smiling at stars with the caption,
Click here for the original Ai-generated image on midjourney.com. Click gif for link to image on giphy.com

Assignment #7 – The Mid-Semester Reflection Post

I’ve been implementing a new routine to improve my blog post-writing skills. This includes refining my ability to incorporate URLs, create GIFs, and writing in a professional manner. Thanks to consistent practice, I’ve internalized some of these skills. For example, I no longer rely on external resources when adding URLs or images to WordPress library editor.

The skill-based training in CT-101 has been instrumental in preparing me for a career in multimedia, and I’m thrilled to be on a path that aligns with my goals. I look forward to applying to a bachelor’s program in Interactive Media Arts at NYU once I graduate from BMCC.

screenshot of the NYU TISCH IMA homepage with purple caption
Click gif for link to giphy.com

I have been actively seeking opportunities to acquire digital skills through various programs offered by CUNY. Among these programs is CUNY Career Launch, an internship program tailored for CUNY undergraduates pursuing careers in STEM, Marketing, Healthcare, Grassroots Organizing, Community and Social Services, as well as CUNY Tech Prep. However, I was disappointed when I received rejection emails from both summer programs. One rejection was due to my age, while the other was because of my limited knowledge of data structures, rendering me ineligible. These rejections triggered feelings of imposter syndrome, causing me to question my ability to thrive in college, given my age and skill set. Fortunately, my daily yoga and meditation practice helped me overcome these negative emotions and repetitive thought patterns.

Ai generated in midjourney.com black, hot pink, white, art nouveau profile of female with the caption
Click image for link to giphy.com; image is Ai generated on midjourney.com

Rejections won’t prevent me from pursuing relevant skills necessary to secure a job and become financially independent, which is ultimately the goal.

As a result of the rejection letters, I have continued applying for other tech training and am more determined than ever to find a program that teaches the skills I deem necessary for success.

Here is a list of some alternative programs suggested in the rejection email:

I hope sharing my experience in this week’s blog post is not triggering or inappropriate to anyone reading my post. The purpose of being vocal about my situation regarding this personal hurdle is to help anyone who may have faced a similar situation. I hope that by sharing my story, others will find the encouragement to continue pursuing the technical skills required to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

three cartoon kids Southpark kids on a snow bank in front of a Christmas tree
Glick gif for link to giphy.com

Whenever I encounter challenges like this, I reflect on my progress in CT101. Two months ago, I had no idea how to create a video with sound in iMovie or apply a hyperlink or URL. But this course has taught me that with practice, I can acquire these skills just as quickly as someone who has been digitally literate since kindergarten. Ultimately, it all comes down to practice, repetition, and perseverance.

Ai generated image -A large letter A in a neon sign with black type typing across
Ai generated through midjourney.com, click gif for link to giphy.com

In my opinion, I deserve an A grade not solely based on the quality of my work but because I have completed all the assignments as requested. To me, the quality of the work is not as important as the determination and time management skills I have demonstrated in completing the tasks.

I do not feel assignments have to be perfect or of professional quality, but I firmly believe that making an effort and putting in the work should be reflected in my final grade.

Four abstract images 1st globe with a cloud and desert inside, 2nd a bus with a pastel color background and a man standing outside of the bus, third three vertical images of a space-like atmosphere, 4th image is a globe of earth and three planets surrounding
Click Ai generated image for link on midjourney.com

I utilized text prompts to generate the image above in mid-journey in real time. Out of all the new skills I have picked up in CT101, I have gained the most proficiency in creating GIFs, memes and generating Ai enhanced art. My new experience crafting blog posts has also contributed to my overall ability in CT101.

I have noticed a steady improvement in the quality of my weekly blog posts as I continue to practice. Each week, I learn something new or meet a new expectation that helps me elevate my writing. For instance, last week, I discovered the importance of including a title in my blog post after the first image, a practice I was unaware of. This is an example of the continuous improvements that arise as I sharpen my weekly blogging skills.

I recently learned how to use figma.com. While I had been introduced to the software in another class, MMP 200, it wasn’t until I had a tutorial in CT 101 that I grasped the steps required to create a file and drag images into it to make a collage. This newfound knowledge was helpful when I had to produce a midterm project presentation for MMP 200. I found it incredibly helpful to learn this skill in CT101 and apply it in another class. Discovering new techniques in one class and utilizing it in another gives me a sense of assurance that the skills I learn are transferable and will prove helpful in the future.

Women wearing hat flipping heads from side to side with the caption,
clink gif for link to giphy.com

Giving feedback to classmates and professor Ryan and participating in class discussions have helped me overcome the fear of sharing my opinions and providing constructive criticism. Initially, I hesitated to critique someone’s work, fearing offending them or appearing judgmental. However, as I engage in more discussions and share my thoughts, I realize providing feedback is essential to learning. Feedback helps the other person improve and enhances my ability to work in a team and communicate effectively.

I also believe constructive criticism should come from wanting to help rather than criticizing or belittling someone. Therefore, when I give feedback, I try to be respectful and offer suggestions for improving the work. As a result, I feel more confident in my ability to contribute to the class and see the value of my input in helping others and improving my skills.

billygoat chewing with caption
clink gif for link to giphy.com

In addition to responding to classmates’ work and the professor’s comments, I actively engage in our class by asking questions and participating in discussions. However, I sometimes worry about talking too much and interfering with necessary software instruction. To address this, I am consciously trying to ask questions before or after class and save my questions until the end. This will prepare me for the learning environment of a large university like NYU, where it is important not to interfere with the professor’s lecture in a large class environment.

To enhance my skills, I discovered updated courses on linkedinlearning.com. One course in particular now includes a component on Ai learning, which I believe will enable me to be more efficient in developing Ai-enhanced projects by improving my ability to use prompts and engage in “prompt engineering.” In addition, I am interested in many courses that I believe will help me improve my skills, including the following:

Illustrator 2023 Essential Training

Introduction to Conversational AI

Coding for Visual Learners: Learning JavaScript from Scratch

The Following are blog posts I completed in CT101

Digital Art Making Immediacy #6 03/03/2023

Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility *The ASSIGNMENT #5   03/ 17/2023

Passions #4  03/11/2023

Are MEME’s ART? Assignment #3 – FINAL 02/28/2023

Assignment_Two_GIF_Narratives #2  02/18/2023

Assignment1_what_makes_me_happy #1 02/08/2023

Throughout the past 7.5 weeks in CT 101, I have acquired valuable job skills currently in high demand, including utilizing WordPress and gaining foundational knowledge in HTML. Additionally, I have implemented advanced tools such as Chat GPT, DALL-E 2, and Midjourney in my blog posts, saving me time and enabling me to focus on other aspects of the course. These tools have allowed me to dedicate more attention to commenting on my classmates’ blog posts and revisiting Professor Ryan’s recorded videos, which provide detailed and crucial guidance on using various sites like Vimeo, Giphy.com, Imgur, Figma, mmmpage.com, and more. Overall, my experience in CT 101 has equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge that I can apply in my future academic and professional pursuits.

Is incorporating some of my blog posts or generative art into my portfolio suitable? During the summer, I aim to evaluate all the projects I’ve completed while pursuing my Multimedia Degree at BMCC and apply them to the Interactive Media Arts application at Tisch. Therefore, I’m receptive to suggestions or recommendations for creating a digital portfolio.

four different colorful images of a female, dark hair with a graduation cap and gown, a headshot
Click image for link to gif on giphy.com  Ai generated art midjourney.com

4 thoughts on “Mid-Semester Reflection Post”

  1. Jour back at it again with another amazing post. So sorry to hear about you receiving rejection letters. The one rejecting you due to your age doesn’t seem fair at all. Everyone deserves a chance no matter what age they are. But you can see these rejections as an opportunity to bounce back from setbacks. Rooting for you Jour!

    1. Trenae
      Thank you very much! I have just finished reading your post, and I must say that it is truly impressive! Your writing skills are outstanding, and your post is both honest and transparent. It is very relatable, especially for students who often feel overwhelmed with assignments. Lately, my mantra has been to take things one step at a time and persevere. Looking forward to seeing you in class!
      Jour

  2. Thank you so much, Jour!
    As Trenae said, “Jour back at it again with another amazing post”!
    At this point of the semester you have almost written an entire student handbook for CT101!
    That is how good, compelling and thoughtful your work has been!
    And, I know it will continue to grow and improve because that is work ethic and commitment to learning and improving.
    I love how you have taken the opportunity to be vulnerable and share your experiences of disappointment, indeed we all have them, and everyone has that 1 or 2 that may even still sting today!
    But these are the experiences that “test us” – to see if we are willing to go beyond the reality that is given to us at the moment, to see if we can transcend it, show up again and again and turn it into something better.
    I have applied for over 50 full time teaching positions across NYC at multiple colleges over the years, all of which gave me rejections letters, and not one of them had a deaf person in their department.. this was in my first 10 years of teaching, and it is the reason why I started my own graphic design & web design business. Had I not faced that, I would have never started my own business aside from teaching part-time at 4 colleges (which I love so much as every day is different!) Sometimes, rejection letters are just disguised as metaphors for “something better” is coming!
    Great post!! This medium is so great and you really have a great resonance with it!
    The CT101 skill sets will flow into all other classes!
    So much more to come!
    Thank you again for another brilliant post!

    PS – you will achieve all of your goals, I have no doubts, not one! The formula of your consistent work ethic, commitment to learning and revising and your warmth and thoughtfulness towards others are 100% transparent.
    You got this!

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