Communication is key in the workplace.

The first person I talked to was Nick, a Management Major with a focus in Finance. When I asked him what types of writing his major involves, he responded that he does case studies for his classes. For these case studies, he has to analyze a company or the actions of a company and point out its flaws or suggest improvements. For one case study, Nick had to analyze Southwest Airlines’ business strategy after the attacks of 9/11. For other schoolwork, Nick told me that sometimes he has essays relating to financial concepts on tests for classes, but not too many.

After talking with Nick, I talked with two other Management Majors, Kevin and Matt, who are both Accounting Majors. I asked them the same question that I asked Nick, and they responded very similarly; the two are also involved with case studies. They have to analyze a company, suggest improvements, and point out flaws. For these case studies, the three brothers told me that they have to create memos, which are very straightforward and state the analysis of the company and its actions.

As I continued to talk with the guys, I asked them if writing plays a significant part with internships or jobs. Kevin and Matt said that, in these cases, verbal skills are more important than writing skills. To get a job or internship, the person has to have developed communication skills. They told me that writing plays an important part with the resume, but communication skills are key to earning the job. If someone cannot communicate clearly with their coworkers, they will not be effective in the work place.

In the next couple years, I can expect to do some case studies and some essays on tests. More importantly however, I feel that my communication skills will become very important in the near future. I will be applying for jobs and internships, and I will need to communicate clearly to explain why I deserve the job. If I cannot clearly explain my resume and experience, then I will most likely not get the job. Moreover, without verbal communication and an explanation, my resume means nothing. It just appears as words on a piece of paper. Writing skills are important, but in the business world, verbal skills dominate.

The type and techniques of writing that go into organizing these collections is very straightforward. Upon entering one of the collection rooms, I could see one of the techniques people use for organization, using dates. In this room, there were programs from Blossom, the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Some of the programs dated back to the ‘60s. Using dates is very effective because they organize the collections chronologically, making it very easy for a person looking for information to go back to a certain time. This also makes it easy for Amy when some one asks about what happened during a certain year or time period.

In another storage area, I saw a different form of writing that goes into the organization of archives. Amy took us to one area, where she showed us a Grammy Award that the Cleveland Orchestra earned, with many large storage cabinets. In the cabinets, there were all sorts of things relating to the Cleveland Orchestra, such as conducting batons and pictures; however, to manage these collections, there was writing on the boxes in the cabinets. For example, on one of the boxes in the cabinet with the Grammy Award, there was a box with some documents relating to the Cleveland Orchestra in it. On this box, there was writing explaining what documents were in the box. Although this type of organization is very simple, it is highly effective.

A Grammy Award

Though the types of writing that go into archives and collections, such as dates and descriptions, is very simple, it gets the job done. Using these uncomplicated forms of managing also make it easy for new archivists who take the place of previous archivists. If someone has a complicated form of organization, it would be silly because others would not be able to find their way around the archives. Another plus of having a simple organizing technique is the fact that the archivist can find if there is information in multiple places in the collections. Amy told us that the size of the Orchestra archives were reduced significantly because a lot of the information could have been found in multiple places. So, using plain, non-difficult organization techniques keeps the size of the archives down and keeps the archives manageable.

Upon entering downtown, people can see writing referring to the different teams. After exiting I-77 North to downtown, people are met face-to-face with Jacobs Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. Over the past years, the Indians have had their ups and downs, but, lately, the Indians have been doing great with 96 Ws and 66 Ls. The Indians logo has been a powerful symbol for Clevelanders representing 2 World Series Championships, and the prospect of another Championship this year is likely.

A bit further down from Jacobs Field lies another piece of Cleveland Sports Writing, the LeBron James witness poster. This poster, which states, “WE ARE ALL WITNESSES,” depicts LeBron James going for a dunk. Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers were cut short by the Detroit Pistons, but, with the upcoming season in about a month, Clevelanders have high hopes.

With many signs and posters alluding to Cleveland Sports, it would be difficult not to think about the Cavaliers or Indians, for example, while in Cleveland. But why are there so many references? From personal experience, I have found that sports teams link people together. For instance, last year, when the Cavs were in the finals, I talked to people I did not know about the Cavs; I was in a gas station one time and started to talk to this guy I did not know about the previous night’s Cavs game. With this in mind, sports events and teams link people who do not know each other together. During games, the crowds cheer and sit together hoping that their home team wins. This creates a bond between people, a bond that links a whole city together. These allusions to the Cleveland sports teams around the city represent powerful connections, ones that cannot be broken because of a single loss.

To answer this question, I did some research on the Case website. On the website, I learned about the Mather Dance Center; the center was built in 1909 for the Flora Stone Mather College. At first, the center was designed as a gymnasium, but, later, it was converted to a dance center.

I also looked up information about the Peter B. Lewis building. In 1965, Peter Lewis took over his family’s insurance company. After forty years, Peter Lewis became the Chairman of the Progressive Insurance Company. In 1999, Mr. Lewis gave $36.9 million to Case’s management school; therefore, this why the building bears his name.

Without using the Internet or Case’s website, it would have been difficult to find information about the buildings. I could have gone to the buildings, and picked up information or asked someone who works there, but it would not have been efficient as looking it up on Case’s website. Consequently, Case’s website compliments the physical campus; when I go around campus and look at the buildings and sculptures and the writing that is on them, I can then go to the Case website to look up information about this writing. This connection aligns the two universities. The virtual university holds information about the physical university, while the physical university represents what the virtual university was built upon.

Anywhere around campus, people have writing on their clothing. But why do people walk around with slogans and designs on their chest or back? To help answer this question, I asked some people around my dorm why they were wearing shirts with writing on them. I asked Aaron, a neighbor of mine, who was wearing a “Case Western Reserve University” shirt, why he was wearing that shirt. He responded that “…this shirt fits all categories.” Here, Aaron brought up an interesting point, one about the shirt fitting all “categories;” these categories, as Aaron and I discussed later, refer to shirts with different purposes, such as a workout shirt, a lounging shirt, or a shirt that can be worn almost anywhere. Therefore, this observation shows something about Aaron’s character; because he likes to wear simple, flexible shirts, he likes to be comfortable around campus. Moreover, he is not like a female who will sacrifice comfort by wearing high heels to look attractive.

Aaron with his CWRU shirt

Another dorm mate, Kayo, had a different response than Aaron. When I asked Kayo why he was wearing a brown New York Yankees shirt, he responded: “because it matches my hat.” This response shows another reason why people wear writing on their bodies, for fashion. I asked Kayo if he likes the NY Yankees, but he responded that he does not. This furthers the point, Kayo does not like the NY Yankees, but he likes the colors and design of the shirt and how it matches his hat. While Aaron liked his CWRU shirt for its versatility and ease, Kayo liked his NY shirt because of the colors and design. This shows part of Kayo’s personality; even though he may not like or agree with the message on the piece of clothing, Kayo still might wear that piece of clothing because it fits his own sense of style.


Kayo with his NY Yankees shirt

While Kayo was wearing his brown shirt, Vlad, another one of my neighbors, was wearing a shirt with the message: “I put the fresh in freshman.” When I asked Vlad about why he was wearing that shirt, he stated: “can it be as simple as because I do?” This entertaining response is a perfect example of how someone’s clothing represents his or her personality. Vlad is a funny guy; he makes humorous jokes, and wears goofy shirts. Therefore, Vlad’s shirt represents his personality; the shirt has a humorous message, and Vlad is a humorous person. Thus, the shirt with the message on the outside gave a hint to what he is like on the inside, an amusing person.

Vlad with his funny shirt

From my research, I have learned that people’s clothing represents their personality. This may not always be true, but, from my experience, clothing usually gives insight to what someone’s character is like. I know there is a saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but, people are not books.

Stephan being Stephan

Walsh Jesuit also focuses on the vision of the Jesuits. This vision, which influences the “Grad-at-Grad” statement, follows the message of Jesus. As a result, religion plays a large part in the education of Walsh. As stated in the Bible, stealing is a sin and should not be committed; therefore, using, copying, or stealing, other peoples’ work goes against the message of Jesus. Additionally, going against Jesus’ message in a Catholic high school is greatly looked down upon. Because of the influence of the Jesuits’ and Jesus’ vision, academic dishonest is not accepted at Walsh Jesuit.

The ideas of Walsh Jesuit relate to the writing that students do on a regular basis. For example, there are many times when students are extremely busy with school work or other activities. During these times it is very easy to copy another’s work to alleviate some stress; however, my high school teaches that academic integrity must be upheld in all situations. As a result, Walsh’s educational approach is very beneficial, for most Walsh students, including myself, strive for academic integrity and honesty everyday. Consequently, the ideas taught at Walsh relate to the writing that students do.

The “Grad-at-Grad” statement, especially, the “Intellectually Competent” characteristic, prepares Walsh students to uphold academic integrity and shun cheating. Also, the Jesuit vision along with Jesus’ message strengthens students’ ability to stay away from academic dishonesty. Additionally, these key qualities of Walsh Jesuit’s education approach relate to the writing that students do frequently. Overall, Walsh requires academic honesty of it’s students and teaches to always respect others’ work.

Just wanted to let you know that my blog is up and running.

Sean