For the final week of this semester, I will be posting a link to my portfolio.

Finished!

smarlin2.w3spaces.com 

I believe I have a great portfolio that showcased my skills that I have been taught throughout this semester. I did not know how to code, nor make a website. Now that we are approaching the end of the semester, I have a new skill to add to my resume that adds levels to my production and learning capabilities. This week, I checked over my portfolio for the final time for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. Reading the professor’s email, it stated, “Remember that your goals for your portfolio are visual similarity (all files have the same navigation or at least look like they form a unified group), breadth of work (more items is better than fewer), and level of detail (evidence of effort).” Over the past ten weeks, I have provided many files that showcase my editing, researching, and creative works. I have also added more items for my portfolio as time progressed. My navigation banners do not look the same on each page, but it is unified via tabs. Every page shows a different side of me, so I wanted my banners to be different too. The good part of the navigation is that is works by directing the visitor to the file they are seeking.

Next week, I plan to post a link of my portfolio to my blog after answering these questions:

1. A clear audience — who are you talking to?
2. A clear purpose — what are you claiming to be able to do?
3. A unified appearance — each screen should have the same navigation system and should look like all the others, with the possible exception of your index.html page, which might be a hero screen with just a one button navigation scheme.
4. Content. As much content as you can find and create over the course of this semester.

There is one week left to go!

 

 

For assignment 13, I have decided to allow my classmates (if they want to) the ability to critique my portfolio in the hopes that it can improve its quality. I have yet to receive feedback, so I am hoping that means I am on the right track unless stated otherwise. I did some more tweaking on my portfolio this week. I enlarged my profile picture on the about HTML page. Also, I edited more grammar. There were a few repetitive words that I felt needed to be cut out, so I did. I was able to review my blog post from last week, and I saw I put that I may add my blog post on my about page. I do not think I will be doing that now. For the resume HTML, I wanted to change my paragraphs into bullets point. Instead of the coding being <p>, I changed it into <li>. Similar to my hardcopy resume, I wanted bullets on my resume portfolio to create a more professional look. Finally, I revised more grammar on my portfolio HTML.

I do not have any plans for next week. I feel great about my portfolio, resume, about, and especially my index pages. Most likely, I will look over the website for spelling errors. Other than that, I do not have more plans to make the portfolio better. My hope is that post-graduation, employers will look upon my portfolio to hire me. In today’s society, the job market is terrible, so maybe the portfolio will create networking opportunities for better career positions.

My blog post for week twelve until fourteen may be very short, but nonetheless, I will write about the improvements I have made to my portfolio of the semester. This week, I was able to look at my w3spaces to see if I can make my about page stand out more. I wanted to make it bold and not bland like how it was originally. I also corrected my spelling errors and html input to make my about page better. I created a checklist on the things I have completed for this week, below. 

TO DO LIST FOR WEEK 12: 

• Change resume html profile picture.  
• Change about html profile picture. 
• Make about page letters in bold and black words.
• Add description and percentages to languages you speak on resume page.

For next week, I want to have my portfolio peer reviewed. It will be our second to last week, so I am open to any suggestions that will improve my portfolio before its due date. I may also include a link to my school blog in About Page, so that employers have the chance to glance at my school experiences per course. That’s it for my week twelve post. 

Wow, I cannot believe I have not posted since week 6. We have four weeks to go until the end of the semester! Since beginning my portfolio, many things have been improved as well as learned throughout these weeks. 

What I did this week is remarkably simple, yet important. I needed to look over my portfolio and search for what I need to improve on to make it better for my potential employers. The first thing I did was look at my index, portfolio, resume, and about HTMLs. My index, opening page, was excellent. The week before spring break, I changed the “what can I do for you?” into “click here.” I feel like the background of the site compliments my hello world moment quite well. Next, I looked at my portfolio page. Another thing I was able to do during the week before spring break was the navigation panels. My navigation panels are finally at the top of each page, and I like how I change the colors, so that each HTMLs are different.  

On the portfolio page, I will change my photo into the one that is currently on my resume and about pages. That is the only professional photo I have, and I will not be able to take more until after the school season is completed this semester. Besides that, I really like the changes I have made to my portfolio page. After I change my photo, I may add a link to my bible journal that shows more of my portfolio. Moving forward, I looked at my resume and noticed some changes I will make. I will change, add, an explanation of my skills and what that means. There is no percentage on my language compacity, so that is another thing I will add, including detailed explanations. Finally, my about page is very well and simple. Too simple. Next week, I plan to look at w3spaces to see if there are templates that will make the information, I have provided into my about page stand out. After I correct my edits for next week, I may ask a classmate to review my portfolio and discuss any suggestions they have that will improve my work. This is what I did this week and what I plan to do next week. 

Although this week did not require as much work, I was stressed for an hour. Following this week’s instructions, I kept encountering a problem with the photos. I uploaded them into my folder, and it would not work. It was not until I looked closer that the location I was supposed to upload the pictures was in the box of index.html. I felt so silly because it worked after I uploaded the images correctly. I was five seconds from giving up.

I have learned more about HTML this week. I read the guidelines on w3schools.com for how to set up your website again. Also, I watched videos on how to upload HTML images. I learned more about coding. I plan to teach myself to slow down when reading the instructions, so I will triple-check the guidelines next week. I need to learn how to upload documents and essays that will link my work to the website for future employers or people curious to learn about my craft. An editorial assistant is supposed to be excellent in their writing skills. It helps them stand out across platforms. I have various writing samples from essays, short stories, and poetry that I can upload. I have written cover letters and resumes for editorial assistant jobs, too. I think continuing to gain experience will benefit the outcome once the semester ends.

It’s the fourth week of the semester working with digital writing and publishing, and I am getting comfortable working with AI so far. I knew about the different AI tools, but I am finally working with them. For this week’s assignment, I created two different prompts to get the best information on what to put into my portfolio.

My first prompt is:

What should I have for an entry-level editorial assistant portfolio? What skills are necessary to present in my portfolio? How should I tailor my writing samples to the editorial assistant job position? Which platforms are visually the best to create a portfolio for a job? I used Bard to answer this prompt. I will insert Bard’s response below.

Building an Entry-Level Editorial Assistant Portfolio:

Content:

• Writing Samples: This is crucial! Include 3-5 pieces demonstrating your writing, editing, and communication skills. Balance these across different formats and styles relevant to the target position (e.g., blog posts, press releases, website copy, manuscript excerpts, edited documents). Showcase your ability to adapt your writing to diverse audiences and styles.
• Project Descriptions: Briefly explain each project, highlighting your specific contributions and achievements. Emphasize challenges overcome and skills applied.
• Additional Assets: Consider including relevant coursework, certificates, awards, or volunteer work demonstrating your editorial interests and abilities.

Skills:

• Writing & Editing: Proofreading, grammar, style guides, clarity, conciseness, attention to detail.
• Organization & Time Management: Multitasking, meeting deadlines, managing projects, data entry.
• Communication & Collaboration: Teamwork, interpersonal skills, active listening, email etiquette.
• Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, content management systems (if applicable).

Tailoring & Platform:

• Tailor Samples & Descriptions: Align your content with the specific job description. Highlight skills and experiences directly relevant to the position.
• Visually Appealing Platform: Choose a platform that showcases your work professionally and creatively. Popular options include:
  • Personal Website: Allows full customization and control.
  • Portfolio Websites: Squarespace, Wix, Behance offer user-friendly templates.
  • Online Portfolios: Issuu, Scribd provide easy sharing and embed options.

Additional Tips:

• Keep it concise and relevant: 5-10 pages is ideal.
• Proofread meticulously: Typos and errors undermine your professionalism.
• Get feedback: Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism.
• Highlight personality: Briefly introduce yourself and showcase your passion for the field.

Remember, your portfolio is a dynamic tool. Continuously update it with new projects and achievements to present your ever-evolving skills and experience.

Good luck with your job search!

 

After I read this response, I wanted to follow up on the website portfolio. Which portfolio website would be best for an entry-level editorial assistant? This is what Bard said:

The “best” website for your portfolio depends on your individual needs and priorities. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options to help you decide:

Personal Website:

• Pros: Most control over design and functionality, excellent for showcasing personality and unique style.
• Cons: Requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance, potentially higher cost depending on domain and hosting.

Portfolio Websites:

• Pros: Easy to use templates, often mobile-friendly, built-in sharing features.
• Cons: Limited customization options, may have recurring fees for premium features.

Popular Choices:

• Squarespace: User-friendly, modern templates, SEO-friendly features.
• Wix: Drag-and-drop interface, diverse range of templates, free plan available.
• Behance: Focuses on creative fields, showcases work visually, large user base.

Online Portfolios:

• Pros: Simple to set up, easy to share and embed, often free.
• Cons: Limited formatting options, less focus on visual presentation.

Popular Choices:

• Issuu: Flipbook-style presentation, good for longer documents, free plan available.
• Scribd: Document hosting and sharing platform, integrates with Google Drive, free plan available.

Considerations for Entry-Level Editorial Assistants:

• Ease of Use: If you’re not tech-savvy, prioritize user-friendly platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
• Budget: If cost is a factor, consider free plans on platforms like Wix, Issuu, or Scribd.
• Visual Appeal: As an editorial assistant, showcasing your written work in an engaging way is important. Platforms like Behance or personal websites offer more design flexibility.
• Customization: If you want a unique, branded portfolio, a personal website offers the most control.

Ultimately, the best platform is the one that allows you to present your work in a professional, visually appealing way, and fits your technical skills and budget. Experiment with different options and see what feels best for you.

Remember, the content of your portfolio is much more important than the platform itself. Focus on showcasing your skills and experience effectively, and the right platform will help you shine.

 

My second prompt is:

What should be included in my entry-level editorial assistant portfolio? What are the five crucial things to have in the portfolio? How should I effectively create my cover letter and resume to represent my portfolio? For my second prompt, I used ChatGTP. I preferred the insight this tool provided than Bard, which surprised me because I liked using Bard for last week’s assignment. Once I entered my prompt, this is what I got:

Creating an entry-level editorial assistant portfolio requires a mix of showcasing your skills, experience (even if limited), and your passion for the field. Here are five crucial things to include:

• Writing Samples: Include a variety of writing samples such as articles, blog posts, or any content you’ve created. Make sure they demonstrate your ability to write clearly, concisely, and with proper grammar and punctuation.
• Editing Samples: Showcase your editing skills with examples of edited pieces. This could be anything from correcting grammar and spelling errors to restructuring sentences for clarity and flow.
• Relevant Coursework or Projects: If you’ve completed any coursework or projects related to editing, publishing, or writing, include them in your portfolio. This could be essays, research papers, or projects where you demonstrated your editorial skills.
• Internship or Volunteer Experience: If you have any relevant internship or volunteer experience, include it in your portfolio. Highlight any editorial tasks or responsibilities you had during these experiences.
• Cover Letter and Resume: Your cover letter and resume should effectively represent your portfolio by highlighting your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Tailor your cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing why you’re passionate about editorial work and why you’re a good fit for the position. Your resume should be well-organized and concise, focusing on relevant experiences and skills.

When creating your cover letter and resume:

• Customize for Each Application: Tailor your cover letter and resume for each job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific editorial assistant position you’re applying for.
• Highlight Your Skills: Use your cover letter and resume to showcase your writing, editing, and organizational skills. Provide examples of how you’ve used these skills in previous roles or projects.
• Be Clear and Concise: Keep your cover letter and resume clear, concise, and easy to read. Use bullet points and short paragraphs to highlight key points and accomplishments.
• Proofread Carefully: Make sure to proofread your cover letter and resume carefully for any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Attention to detail is crucial in the editorial field, so your application materials should be flawless.

By effectively showcasing your skills, experiences, and passion for editorial work in your portfolio, cover letter, and resume, you’ll increase your chances of landing an entry-level editorial assistant position.

My follow-up questions included:

How should I structure my resume for an editorial assistant position? Could you give me an example of how to write my resume as an editorial assistant? ChatGTP gave a formatted example of how to write my resume below.

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[LinkedIn Profile (Optional)]

Professional Summary:

Detail-oriented and enthusiastic editorial assistant with a strong foundation in writing, editing, and content management. Experienced in adhering to style guides and collaborating with team members to produce high-quality content. Seeking to leverage writing skills and passion for editorial work in a dynamic publishing environment.

Skills:

• Copyediting and proofreading
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in AP Style, Chicago Manual of Style, and MLA formatting
• Content management systems (CMS) proficiency (e.g., WordPress, Joomla)
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Time management and multitasking

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature

University Name, City, State

Graduation Date: Month Year

Relevant Experience:

Editorial Intern, XYZ Publishing House

[Dates]

• Assisted in editing and proofreading manuscripts for grammar, punctuation, and style consistency.
• Conducted fact-checking and research to ensure accuracy of content.
• Collaborated with authors and editors to meet deadlines and maintain editorial standards.
• Contributed to content creation for social media platforms and company blog.

Freelance Copyeditor and Writer

[Dates]

• Provided copyediting services for various clients, including proofreading, formatting, and ensuring adherence to style guidelines.
• Wrote and edited web content, blog posts, and articles for online publications.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.

Writing Samples:

• “Title of Article” – Link to Article or Description of Content (if printed)
• “Title of Blog Post” – Link to Blog Post or Description of Content (if printed)

Certifications:

Certificate in Copyediting – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)

[Date Earned]

References:

Available upon request.

Formatting Tips:

• Use a professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and keep font size consistent throughout.
• Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements for each job or internship.
• Proofread carefully for any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.

This example provides a clear overview of your qualifications, skills, and experiences as an editorial assistant. Remember to tailor your resume to each job application by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences for the specific role.

 

I hope you didn’t have information overload after reading my blog post. As I end this post, I want to share what I learned and plan to do next. I have learned many things about the portfolio platforms and the writing samples. I was wondering where my portfolio would be published. I figured it would be Canva as a presentation. Now, I can do Wix or a personal website. I have experience working with Wix, so I should not have much difficulty mastering the tools provided. I was questioning the writing sample because I did not know what would be the best to include. After researching, I know I need to collect my best samples of editing, proofreading, and documents that showcase my skills in the best of light.

The top three prevalent AI text generators are Bard, Copilot, and ChatGPT. They bring the best information to gather data for the question (prompt). The first prompt I created was: I am about to graduate from college with a degree in English. I want to find an entry-level position as a fiction editorial assistant in the book industry. Some book companies are Penguin Random House, Little Brown Company, and HarperCollins. What skills do I need to demonstrate to get the job? 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 publishing job? The second prompt I created offered different responses that focused more on networking opportunities. The second prompt was: I am about to graduate from college with a degree in English. I want to obtain an entry-level position as a fiction editorial assistant in the book industry. Some book companies are Penguin Random House, Little Brown Company, and HarperCollins. What networking skills do I need to possess to get the job? How can I begin working on my portfolio, resume, and work experience to stand out? Are there any mentorships to help me learn what I must do to find my first industry publishing job?

Passion and enthusiasm improve a seeking employee’s application to gain the hiring manager’s attention. The skills you need for a fiction editorial assistant is the ability to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. Editing experience proves your ability to refine text for clarity, grammar, and consistency. Include editing samples in your portfolio, like freelance projects, student publications, or personal writing polished for professional consumption. You should also be able to identify and correct grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.

The key to succeeding in this position is having good time management skills, being tech-savvy, and having expertise in fiction. You can show your experience and knowledge through your writing portfolio. Your best writing samples include essays, articles, and creative writing pieces. Make sure that your writing samples showcase your writing and editing skills. Additional assets are internship experience, relevant coursework, and networking. You can attend industry events, conferences, and workshops to connect with professionals and build your network. Some job boards include LinkedIn, Indeed, Publishers Marketplace, Penguin Random House, and Yellowbrick.

The additional suggestions from the AI text generators are the money and how I should prepare for my job. The salary for the job varies by experience, location, and the company’s size. The average salary range is between  $42,000 and $52,000 per year. The best way to prepare for my future is to start now. I should not wait until after graduation. I should begin crafting my writing samples for my portfolio. I should organize a phenomenal resume and form good networking opportunities.

As stated in week one, I have researched this position before. I knew that I needed to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. I already possess the time management skills and capabilities to make my resume seem impressive. The things I have learned are what to put in my portfolio. I think the portfolio truly gets you a job in the publishing industry. The publishing industry is challenging to reach into, and networking now will help you meet the people you need to know who will assist you in pursuing this career field. The next thing I need to do is begin creating the portfolio. Gather and outline what I should start writing and editing to create a sample of my work. I am ready because graduation is the first week of May. Ideally, I have three months to complete my portfolio and make a better resume. My senior portfolio is one example that can help employers take an interest in my work abilities. All I have left to say is when I can start and who I can meet who is already an editor in the publishing industry. I would like to join a publishing networking event if one is available in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

 

The research for this week’s assignment is pretty cool. I have researched entry-level positions in book publishing as an editorial assistant for a couple of months. This assignment will help me search for relevant, suitable positions that fit my career outlook. For this week’s assignment, I used four websites. The websites are Monster.com, TheMuse, and Glassdoor. I did not use Indeed because it was not helpful in job searching. Perhaps the website via my computer kept malfunctioning. I used the search term entry-level editorial assistant. As I use this search term, I include remote locations nationally. I would much prefer remote locations because significant book publishers have headquarters in New York, and as much as I would like to visit there, I definitely would not like living there.

I have discovered the qualifications, responsibilities, and software expectations in my research. My favorite entry-level positions are hiring from the companies of Hachette Book Groups, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Beacon Street Services. The typical qualifications are having an undergraduate degree in English, administrative experience, love for books, creativity, computer knowledge, flexibility, and attention to detail. Strong communication, planning, organizational, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are more qualifications that the job positions are looking for, too. 

There are more responsibilities than qualifications for entry-level positions. The responsibilities slightly differ for each job depending on the companies hiring for that position. I will sum up the responsibilities based on the companies. For HarperCollins, the responsibilities are communicating with authors and agents about all aspects of the publishing process, reading and drafting responses to book proposals submitted for publication, preparing contract requests, and writing promotional copy. Along with these responsibilities, Hachette Book Group’s editorial assistant assists in editing acquired manuscripts. They are required to assist the Editor with sales and projects, too. The remaining responsibilities of an editorial assistant for the last company are performing general administrative duties, coordinating meeting schedules, and managing agendas.

The software expectations include understanding Adobe Creative Suite and title management databases like Firebrand and Microsoft Suites. The software expectations are not that bad. I believe that, in this course, I can learn and master these skills if I have not yet. Microsoft Suites have apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These apps are things that I have learned since high school. I have heard of the other two software, but I am curious to become proficient.

A portfolio and cover letter would be a list of documents, videos, images, etc., demonstrating one or more specific abilities they seek. The first particular abilities employers seek are having an interest in the editorial field and having at least one year of publishing or editorial work experience. You need excellent organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills, written and polished verbal communication skills, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills.  Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and title management databases such as Firebrand is a plus employers are looking for in specific abilities, too. Between now and when I graduate, the list of the documents, videos, images, etc., that I need to create will be a portfolio via Canva. Through Canva, I can combine documents, photos, and my experience and skills that show the specific abilities and qualifications employers seek. I can attach the link to Canva in my resume and cover letter.

My experience doing this research was informative. As mentioned before, I have researched editorial assistant entry-level job positions before, but because of this assignment, it is more in-depth. I have learned that I already possess most of what the employers are seeking. The thing I would like to do next is to begin working on my portfolio so that when it comes time for graduation, all I have to do is start applying to the jobs that I find fit if I haven’t yet. At this point, I feel like I have much to do in creating the portfolio. I know what to add and learn. I strive to make it presentable. My only worry is getting past the application stage. Nowadays, many companies are not hiring newcomers unless you know someone on the inside who can bring attention to your application so it can be looked at.

 

Hi, I am Shekinah Marlin, and I aspire to become an editorial assistant. An editorial assistant is a person who provides administrative support to the editorial team throughout the editorial process from manuscript to publication. I want to work as an editorial assistant within the publishing industry. Since I was a young child, I have always loved reading books. When I declared my English major, I started writing and reading more and more. When I become an editorial assistant, I will be able to learn and understand the ins and outs of the publishing field. If I am successful in my job position, I will move up and become a Junior Editor.

I have researched what an editorial assistant does, and to summarize the job description, they offer support and work under the Editors and Marketing Department. You do not need any experience, but training, a good portfolio, and work experience can help. I think the skills to be successful in this job are to be efficient in digital software like Adobe, organized, a good researcher, good at multi-tasking, and good at proofreading and editing documents. I need to learn to stand out as an editorial assistant by having a good portfolio, resume, cover letter, and network in the industry.

As I spend time creating my portfolio, I hope to learn how to master the purpose of digital writing and publishing for this class and post-graduation. Some digital objects I have made are videos such as TikTok. Although I am young, I am not the best TikTok content creator. The way I look at my art is if there is room to learn, there is room to grow.