Taylor Pardue – COM 598 Final Portfolio

STEM Podcast

This was an interesting project that built on my previous experience with podcasts by incorporating a clip from a different audio interview into the mix. It was also beneficial because I worked with a partner to develop the episode, not just interview someone and handle everything myself. It might have been more beneficial if we had actually reached out to the researcher versus using a clip from an earlier interview they had participated in, but the final result was seamless and made for a natural-sounding episode

Recruiting Video

This was a special project because it incorporated my work experience with NC State and my years as a student here to help recruit new students to campus. It also helped me work on my Zoom video skills, complete with incorporating a false background into the production. Per some of the feedback I received, I probably should have been more extemporaneous in my speaking, but given that this was a one-way video without a live audience, I don’t think the performance as too stiff. Still, definitely room for improvement moving forward.

Research Summary

My research summary of doctoral candidate Emily I. Nwakpuda’s recent findings was the perfect fit for my personal connections to STEM for this project because it involved science, philanthropy, and the UNC System. I think I provided a good, concise overview of the topic while also making it accessible for non-STEM readers. This is the bread and butter of my normal work experiences with scientific communication, and the main reason I signed up for COM 598, so it was a great exercise for me with real-world benefits.

Op-Ed Article

One of the stand-out factoids that I learned from my time as an undergraduate at NC State was the misuse of the Smokey Bear messaging regarding “forest” fires. So, I really enjoyed this project because it let me address the issue in a concise but educational manner but without needing to be impartial or too dry in my delivery. Overall, I think this op-ed is balanced and professional enough to actually be publishable in a real media outlet someday.

Policy One-Pager

This was a slightly difficult project for me in that, while I knew what content I wanted to present, I had to re-learn how to use InDesign in order to make the one-pager a compelling final product. The photo I used is one I took while photographing actual forestry officials at work, so it gave an added element of authenticity, but I feel like I tried to shoehorn it in versus using a photo that was maybe less engaging but fit better with the text elements. Still, I think it makes for a catchy leave-behind.

Mini-TED Talk

Again incorporating Smokey Bear into my projects, this TED Talk on its messaging was beneficial for me in several ways. My nervousness regarding public speaking forced me to practice more than I ever have before for a presentation, and while I tended to go too fast when preparing, my nerves during the real thing led me to purposefully slow down, as Dr. Weintraub recommended, and nearly reach my full time allotment as a result. These lessons will help me in many future presentations.