For this week’s assignment, I used ChatGPT. I started by asking it:

“I am about to graduate from college with a degree in English. I want to find an entry level position in the publishing and editing industry. What skills do I need to demonstrate? What kinds of artifacts should I have to show I have those skills? What are some resources that I should pursue to help me learn about what I need to do to find my first industry writing job?”

It replied by telling me the following:

I should focus on honing skills such as editing, writing, communication, attention to detail, time management, and digital literacy. Additionally, I should work on creating artifacts, including a portfolio, writing samples, editing samples, a well-crafted resume and cover letter, and an active online presence. According to ChatGPT, cultivating these skills and developing a comprehensive set of artifacts will effectively showcase my abilities to potential employers in the writing field, highlighting the progress I have made as a writer.

I already knew the majority of the artifacts that I would need in order to be successful in the field, but I was surprised by some of the skills I may need. I learned that networking and communication is probably one of the most important skills and concepts that I need to understand and have a strong grasp on. Next, I need to continue honing these skills and creating my portfolio because it will help me gain the samples I need. I’m feeling quite prepared because I’ve already gotten a headstart on the portfolio, but I am a bit intimidated by all of the skills I need to attribute to myself. I also want to say that this assignment really showed me how important it is to set goals and retain the information that you need.