Overview
Below I will insert my rough draft for the instructor briefing. I need you to perfect it and write a review:Dear Professor,
I hope you're doing well. My name is Isabella Molinari, and I wanted to introduce myself by sharing a little about who I am, what I hope to do after college, and what I'm looking forward to getting out of this course. I'm currently working toward a career in business consulting, so I'm excited to improve the writing and communication skills that I'll need in that profession.
The reason business consulting interests me is because every project is different. I like the idea of solving problems while also working closely with people. Consultants get to look at a company from the outside and notice things that people inside the company might overlook. Whether it's improving a process, helping with communication between departments, or finding ways to make a business more efficient, I think it would be rewarding to help companies solve real problems. I also like that I'd constantly be learning about different industries instead of doing the exact same thing every day.
Good communication is a huge part of consulting. You can have a great idea, but if you can't explain it in a way your client understands, it probably won't have much of an impact. Research also shows that as workplaces continue using more technology, strong business writing is becoming even more valuable because people still have to communicate information clearly (Mohammad Awad AlAfnan et al., 2024). One thing I hope to improve this semester is writing more clearly and getting to the point without leaving out important details.
I know consulting involves a lot of different types of writing. Before I even get into the field, I'll need a strong résumé, a professional LinkedIn profile, and cover letters that are tailored to different companies. Once I'm working, I expect to write reports, proposals, presentations, and emails on a regular basis. I'll also have to communicate my ideas during interviews and meetings, especially since consulting interviews often involve solving case studies out loud. That's something I know will take practice.
I've also spent some time thinking about how AI fits into professional writing. I think it's a useful tool when it's used the right way. It can help organize ideas, brainstorm, or clean up a draft, but I don't think it should replace your own thinking. Florea and Croitoru (2025) explain that AI can improve communication when it's used responsibly, and I agree with that. Humphries and Watson (2024) also found that while students appreciate AI for simpler tasks, they still believe people need to make the important decisions. That's pretty much how I see it too. AI can help, but I still think the final ideas and decisions should come from me.
Public speaking is another area where I'd like to improve. Most of my experience has been through class presentations and giving an update during my internship to a small group. I still get a little nervous presenting, especially when I know people are evaluating what I'm saying, so I'm hoping this course helps me become more confident. I know that's something I'll need if I want to be successful as a consultant.
As we get started, I have a few questions about the course. Will we have opportunities to write for realistic business situations instead of only hypothetical ones? Will we practice writing different types of documents, like client reports and internal memos, and learn when each style is appropriate? I'm also curious if we'll talk about how to communicate difficult news or uncertainty to clients, since I imagine that's something consultants deal with pretty often.
Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction. I'm looking forward to learning more throughout the semester and improving the communication skills I'll use throughout my career.
Sincerely,
Isabella Molinari
For the reflection: Answer these questions in a separate document
Now that you've completed Project 1, think back on the knowledge you've created and built on and answer the following questions:
- Which communication method did you choose for your Instructor Briefing and what made that method the best fit for you?
- Which of the communications you wrote during this project (from any assignment or scenario, including the exercises and the Instructor Briefing) was the most difficult or took the longest to write? Why do you think that was?
- Looking ahead at your future career, which communication methods do you think you'll use the most at work? Are you comfortable writing in that genre or medium now?
- Did writing a document for your instructor concerning the work of the class help you better understand the course's goals and desired outcomes? Do you still have any questions about the course?
There is no minimum or maximum word count for this reflection.