Final Post — Goodbye Blogger, Hello Future Employers!

To start, this course definitely rewired my brain chemistry. To be honest, I think it really showed me a lot about the tools I’ll need to use later in my career. I had no clue how to use Microsoft, and sometimes I still find myself struggling with a computer, but this course really did teach me a lot.

I’ve worked on group projects and in teams before in previous classes, but honestly, I felt the connection with other classmates through blogging was interesting. When you meet a person face-to-face, that’s all you really get—their in-real-life presence. We live in a digital age where how we present ourselves can be vastly different from the person you work with, live with, or even interact with briefly in passing. So in a sense, it was nice to see how my classmates present and express themselves online.

I think I gained more skills and experiences than I could possibly name off the top of my head. I went in with the expectation that I’d just keep my head low, do enough to get by, and this would be just another course. But I think this course definitely made the all-nighters, coffee indulgences, and moments of frustration worth it. I found myself opening Excel and Word outside of school and actually using what I learned. And to be honest, I can still walk away with pride about that.

6.9.5 Motion Paths — I found motion paths to be quite cool. A lot of people like recreating advertisements on PowerPoint and posting them on TikTok. So to understand how they did that was really interesting. I messed around with it on my slideshows, and I was going to use it, but I also found myself more focused on the effect rather than the actual slideshow.

So in summation, it’s been rocky, confusing, and fun. I hope you all enjoyed these blog posts as much as I enjoyed writing them. And if you aren’t in my IS101 class, then this one’s for you:

Hello, future employers! I can tell you right now that if you’re considering hiring me, I am a Microsoft Associate, I can handle DSLRs, and I can tell you how to make a Mocha Cookie Crumble! I’ll be a great addition to your team—unless you decide to sever my memories, in which case… perhaps not.

I hope I convinced you to hire me!

- Ashley Vaquero, Age 19, 5.16.25

Phase Two: Overcoming Challenges

1. 

   “You should see the other guy!” is how I feel about Phase Two. Honestly, Excel kicked my butt really well because I am not good with numbers, so trying to remember what goes with what formulas was quite a hassle (and still is, admittedly). Or maybe I just subconsciously found all those lines and columns and rows intimidating. However, I will say—even though it did kick my butt—I did overcome most of it! It’s honestly quite interesting how expansive Excel is for its users. Even though we have AI doing many people’s jobs, I understand why so many people value having skills and being able to navigate Microsoft products.

   A4 felt a bit like a memory. My brother showed me the basic functions of A4, so when I came across it, I found it pretty much like memory. However, I definitely underestimated A5. I think I took more than three hours figuring out the “sort and structured” section, all because it wasn’t clicking that I had to essentially leave out a space. But rest assured, I finally got it!
   
2. From Chapter Five, I chose 5.10.4 — VLOOKUP. At first, it was not clicking for me in terms of its function and importance. However, as I got to practice a bit more, I realized how neat it actually was! I think this function would be cool for someone who is running a business and wants to organize inventory.

3. I have not had the opportunity to use what I learned in Phase Two academically, but I did make a spreadsheet organizing my spending. I was able to use SUM and SUMIF for bills that I have to pay and also to figure out how much I have to save to take a small trip in the summer! Honestly, kind of a game changer, because I can update on the go — so 10/10, I’d recommend it!

4. 
   I think Phase Three will be more interesting for me, as I am someone who is driven creatively. I love playing around and seeing what fits and what doesn’t. I hope to be able to keep up, and because I have the opportunity to be a bit more free creatively, I hope it will reflect in my work!

P.S. Even though no one asked, here are three more photos I took! Also, thank you everyone for the coffee shop recommendations. I hope to be able to try them over the summer!

Phase 1: A Reflection

(A) I definitely undermined phase one. While I was able to keep up, unfortunately, life tends to happen and I had to rearrange my priorities constantly. What I would like to do differently in the future is make sure to stay on top of the material. I definitely will make sure that there is a specific, designated time for me to get my eggs so that why I don't get interrupted by others. 

(B) 4.9.2 - Themes and Style Sets - was very informative, while Google's Presentation software has something similar, I feel like Microsoft's is way more flexible and easier to play around with! Specifically, Themes and Style Sets, I think a good theme can really organize and characterize a document in a way that you're looking for. 

(C) I definitely want to put the skills that I am learning into my other coursework. That way it's being practiced but I can also see what is helping me be more effective and attentive to details. 

(D) I recently got back into photography. I took a small break as I was taking portraits as a side hustle and I wasn't having as much fun as I would just naturally. I am also trying and rating coffee shops again. I had to stop from September to January so I could save for school and end-of-year expenses! 

Here are some photos from the past month that I took! I hope you enjoy them just like I did!

P.S. If you have any coffee shop recommendations, please let me know!

Inaugural Post

 Hello! 

My name is Ashley! After this post, I am officially a blogger now! I am 19 and fall under the astrological sign Sagittarius if you’re into astrology. I love photography, am an avid reader, and listen to an unhealthy amount of music every day (almost 3,200 minutes a week!). I hope to travel as I approach my twenties and learn more about the world—and coffee!

My first impression of CSN was quite intimidating. Changing from a regular high school experience to a community college was a drastic turn. I was so used to rambunctious noises all across the hallways that hearing leaves fall on the ground at campus was quite a shock. However, as I got to know more people and went out more, I learned it’s not all books and tumbleweeds.

My experience with the skill I chose—eCommerce safeguards—is quite limited. I know that you shouldn’t use the same passwords or leave your sensitive information out in the open. However, I do feel there is more to safety than just not showing your password to the whole world.