Now that you have been introduced to academic writing expectations, you will have the opportunity to apply them in a paper that explores career opportunities and your role in the Walden community.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Readings
Asimov, I. (2010). What is intelligence anyway? Models for Writers. Ed. Alfred Rosa and Paul Eschholz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. pp. 49-51.
OASIS. (n.d.). Academic skills: Grammarly. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammarly
Walden University. (n.d.). Office of student affairs: Code of conduct and academic integrity. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/student-affairs/policies
Walden University. (n.d.). Undergraduate writing: Academic Writing expectations (AWE). https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/undergraduate/awe
Scribbr. (n.d.). What is academic writing? Dos and Don’ts for students. https://www.scribbr.com/category/academic-writing/
Document
Undergraduate Writing Template (Word document)
The Assignment
Use the Undergraduate Writing Template from the link provided in the Learning Resources to write a 3- to 5-page paper. Use the “Save As” command to rename the file. Select text and type over it. Your new text will take on the same style attributes as those in the template.
Section 1: Introduction
An introduction tells the reader what the coming paper is about. For this introduction, answer the following questions:
Was there a specific moment when you decided to continue your education? If so, what was it?
What inspired you to take this step?
Why did you choose to become a member of the Walden community?
Section 2: Main Body
The body is typically the longest section of your paper. Consider your personal plan for success at Walden.
Section 2, Part 1: My Degree
Think about why you chose the degree you are pursuing. Visit the Walden Library site and job search websites like the Occupational Outlook Handbook (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/) to do some research to answer the following questions:
What jobs or career opportunities will be available to you once you obtain your degree? Which one would be your dream job?
How much can you expect to make if you obtain your dream job upon graduation?
What opportunities for advancement exist within your dream job, and what are the requirements for advancement?
What is the job demand and future outlook for the dream job you want?
What challenges do you think you may encounter in your dream job and how are you preparing for these challenges?
What other job experience and skills would you need to secure your dream job?
Is there another job for which your experience and degree qualifies you?
Library tips:
Enter your dream job in the search box on the Library home page https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library and search.
On the next screen, you can enter other words in one of the empty search boxes to help you answer the questions. For example, opportunities, requirements, advancement, or skills.
Use the “Limit To” feature to change your dates. Try searching within 5 years and adjust your search as needed.
Section 2, Part 2: My Student Life
Think about who you are as a student, your reasons for being here, and what you hope to achieve. Answer these questions to develop this section:
How are you handling the commitments that come with your academic pursuits at Walden University and managing your time for studies, work, and other aspects of your life?
What decisions regarding time management and the development of a support network are essential for you to ensure you graduate from Walden University?
What hurdles might you anticipate encountering as you pursue your college education, and how do you plan to overcome them to ensure your academic success?
what hasn’t worked before and what’s different now?
What questions do you still have about your enrollment, your academic program, and your planned course of study?
Section 2, Part 3: The Walden Community
Walden is committed to social change. Your choice to pursue further education is in and of itself an act of social change. In this section, explain:
If you could choose anyone, which individual would you select as a mentor to foster your academic and professional aspirations, and what attributes does this person possess that led to your choice? (a mentor could be a peer with distinct professional expertise, a professional within your field, a community member, a member of the Walden faculty, or someone well known in your chosen field.).
How might you become a mentor to others in the program? What could you offer new students to help them succeed?
Section 3: Conclusion
A strong conclusion synthesizes the main points of your writing, leaving a lasting impression and reinforcing your arguments to the reader. It also provides closure, ensuring that your discussion is complete and that the reader clearly understands your perspective and the significance of your work.
What key idea do you want the reader to remember most? Avoid repeating information. This should be the synthesis of your paper. The paragraph should be your affirmation of what inspires you. Think big. Be bold. The only people reading this are you and your Instructor.
References
Create a References section at the end of the paper as shown in the Undergraduate Writing template.
By day 7