M4 Assignment [CPD]: ‘Initial Communication’ (Formerly a ‘Cover Letter’)

• Due Sunday by 11:59pm Points 10 Submitting a media recording or a file upload File Types doc, pdf, and docx Available until Feb 8 at 11:59pm

Overview

Purpose

Do you know what ‘cover letters’ or ‘letters of interest’ are? Is there a difference? Do you think it is an outdated practice? Let’s take a fresh look!

In the ‘olden days’ (before the internet, email and remote application software), there was the old-school cover letter. Your ancestors wrote letters to potential employers about job openings, printed them, signed them, and then put them atop their resumes. The final step was putting them in an envelope and mailing them or dropping them off. So much work! Now, we use a variety of digital ways to apply for positions. That said, there is STILL a very good reason to have a ‘cover letter’ or what can now be referred to as ‘Initial Communication.’

The purpose of this assignments is to create a strong base ‘initial communication‘ (about an open position or to express a desire to work for an organization) so that you are ready to customize and use it when an opportunity comes your way. You might use what you create for this assignment to copy and paste into an email, reaching out via LinkedIn message, in an application portal, and many other situations as you develop a career in community service and/or leisure-related professions.

Consider this a ‘starter document.’ Anytime you apply for, reach out, or inquire about a position, you will customize your wording for the opportunity at hand.

Generative AI Policy

In this course and for this assignment, the use of GenAI is prohibited beyond simple brainstorming and initial topic exploration, with the exception of specific instructions below given by the instructor for utilization within a specific assignment component. You are not permitted to use it for the content of your submitted assignments. Copying and pasting generated content and representing it as your own is strictly prohibited. All work must reflect your own words, language, and voice, as well as your own research, thoughts, and perspectives–and it must be consistent with your writing style and skill. If you are unsure about how to appropriately use GenAI in this course, please contact your instructor.

Alignment

This assignment aligns with the course and module-level outcome(s):

Course Learning Outcome5,14Understand the process of career development as applicable to community service and leisure related professions.

Build foundational career preparation and development skills that are appropriate and effective for community service and leisure-related professions.

Module Learning Outcome Mod 4

CPD 2

Develop initial communication for community service and leisure-related professions to be customized for each future opportunity.

Helpful Resources

• (Parks & Recreation)

Instructions

Note: You will upload THREE documents for this assignment.

1) An actual posted position (screenshot, paste into a document–your choice)

2) Your Self-Created Version of Initial Communication (no use of AI or outside sources, in your words, voice, and writing style)

3) Your AI-generated Version of Initial Communication (what generative AI does with your letter)

Step 1: Identify an actual position posting that you would consider applying for (whether or not it is currently available), save a copy of the posting and submit that here, along with your Cover Letter that you would use for the position. You should have TWO submissions!

Step 2: Use this Google Doc template to create a version completely made on your own (File/Make a Copy/Rename/Edit). It should be entitled Your Name Initial Communication My Version.

Step 3: Paste your completed version into generative AI and then into a new document and name it Your Name Initial Communication Generative AI Version.

Skip AI Note: If you do not want to use generative AI, you do not have to. Simple state in the submission comments that you are forgoing this option. Note that every word of your submitted draft must be 100% generated by you.

Step 4: Include in the submission comments which version you liked better and why.

How to Submit

When you have completed your three-part assignment, upload all documents as graphics or PDFs by the deadline.

Be sure to store your ‘initial communication’ document in your Google Drive (with a name you can easily search for and find) for later use when it is time to create a customized communication for an opportunity without having to start from scratch!

If you have additional questions about formatting, expectations, or grading for this assignment, reach out to you instructor as soon as possible for help.

Grading Criteria

Review the assignment rubric for additional guidance on grading for this assignment.

Rubric

Some Rubric (1)

Some Rubric (1)

CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Actual Posting

2 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

2 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Student Generated Version

3 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

3 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

AI Generated Version

3 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

3 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Submission Comments

(Preferred version and why)

2 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

2 pts