As I lay in bed with a fever towards the end of last week, I had a lot of time to reflect on the year so far. Reflection is an important part of life, I think, because you can evaluate both where you've been and where you're going. I think that as I continue, not only as a Writing Consultant, but in my life and career, reflecting on the recent past will have a huge impact on where I am going.
I looked back at my first blog post, where we had been instructed to comment on our biggest fears as we began the Writing Consultant program. I had been afraid of having the power to influence my peers' grades and wrote extensively about my personal past and why I thought that this fear was so great. I think that I am still worried about the amount of influence I could have on my peers, but the fear has faded to apprehension as the semester as gone on. Now, I would say that my biggest fear about my future as a Writing Consultant is not being able to figure out which areas of writing my peers require the most assistance.
At this point in the semester, I have read numerous theories about writing tutoring and writing centers, and seen those theories put into practice by observing experienced consultants and practicing commentary in class. I now have a vague idea about how my consultations would begin. I would begin by asking the writer what their biggest concerns are in the paper and make a note of it. I would keep my eye out for those specific areas and do my best to address their concerns. Hopefully at the same time, I would be able to find what I believe to be the most pressing issues of the paper. This aspect of the consultation is the most frightening for me. I know that there will be a wide range of writing styles, skill levels and practices coming through the doors of the Writing Center and I am afraid that I will not be able to spot errors on all points of that spectrum.
I know that these fears will subside as I become more comfortable in my role as a consultant. I am hopeful that I will be able to become a chameleon, in the sense that I will be able to adjust to any type of writing that comes to the fourth floor of Weinstein Hall. Unfortunately, when one cannot predict what kind of experiences they will have, the only way to deal with such fear is to be prepared for anything. I know that I will be prepared for anything, and I hope that the work that I have put into English 383 will help me to face my biggest fears.
As a future accountant, you'll take many lessons with you from the work as a Writing Consultant. I know this sounds odd.
ReplyDeleteBut clients are clients, and they are all unique. In each field, one learns flexibility and how to spot the problems that lead to, say, an IRS audit or a poor grade.
My tax accountant is adept at this, and he keeps careful notes from year to year. I trust him. It's a consultant-client relationship about difficult and ever changing rules from my two "professors": the Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
With practice, you'll excel at Consulting in both areas. Just be patient, keep notes, and know the professors whenever you can!