Alexis Burke- Assignment Blog Post 2

 Immigration Policies and Public Speaking: A Journey of Growth

Our recent group project tackled key political issues, including gender equality, education policies, immigration policies (my group), and the electorate and the electoral process. Each group was assigned to create a presentation and a brochure. My group used Canva for both of these tasks. I specifically explored contributions from the press, historians, and academic research. In this reflection, I discuss how, despite the challenges my group encountered, this experience improved my communication and teamwork abilities. 

Unlike last time, my group was the first to present. Not being able to observe other groups before us put us at a slight disadvantage, as we didn’t have a concrete sense of how to structure our project. Unfortunately, Professor Sinkoff was not satisfied with our initial presentation. However, she provided us with helpful criticism, highlighting areas where we failed to deliver proper information. Although it was initially disappointing to hear that we had fallen short of her standards, we were grateful that she requested that we make these changes and revise our project. We moved forward with a fresh sense of collaboration and determination. We frequently communicated via WhatsApp to continue working on and evaluating every aspect of our presentation. Although each group member was responsible for a certain component, we all checked each other's work to make sure it was organized and understandable. 

After presenting for the second time this past Monday, it was rewarding to see Professor Sinkoff impressed by the changes we implemented. It was a weight lifted off our shoulders to see our efforts pay off in the long run. It served as a reminder of how crucial it is to approach every situation with an open mind and a dedication to learning. However, despite all our preparation, things didn’t go exactly as planned on the day of our project. My WiFi connection in the library started lagging while I was delivering my part of the presentation. Although this was beyond my control, it still added some stress. Adding to the challenge, two members of our group were unable to present. While unplanned for, this unanticipated setback forced us to adjust and find a way to still make the presentation flow.

The timing of this project couldn't have been more relevant. This week, former president Donald Trump was re-elected. Therefore, the topics around immigration, education, and the election process feel particularly significant. Learning these subjects from the public speaking standpoint emphasized how crucial it is to be knowledgeable about and involved in political matters.

Reflecting on this project, I've concluded that public speaking involves much more than simply delivering information. It involves accepting criticism, overcoming obstacles, and working well under pressure. Overall, I enjoyed the opportunity to study and share my contribution on immigration policies, it was both difficult yet educational.