Top 5 Places Proper Spelling Can Make or Break Online Students
Whether we like to admit it, text messaging largely contributes to the way we communicate on an everyday basis. Consider that 60% of humans are active texters; more than 6 trillion texts were sent in 2010; and more than 193,000 texts are sent every second.
But what is text messaging doing to the way we formulate sentences and spell out words? Is text messaging destroying the way we utilize the English language?
Of course, students in online degree programs know to table the text-speak on class assignments and discussion boards. We have to draw the line somewhere.
For all the places where LOL, OMG, GR8, etc. are mostly acceptable (texting, instant messaging, social media), there are a variety of places where online students want to pay particular attention to proper spelling and grammar.
Now presenting, the top five places where online students want to make sure their spelling and grammar are squeaky clean. English purists (hello, Grantham University instructor/fellow blogger Tim Goss) rejoice:
Misspelling a company name or really anything on your resume is akin to walking into an interview with mud plastered all over your outfit. Your chances of being hired take a nosedive with this costly gaffe. Tip: Read over your resume several times for punctuation and spelling. Have a fellow professional read over your resume for the same purpose.
Cover letters are like first impressions. Since you're not present when the employer reads the cover letter, make sure it's free of spelling and grammatical errors. If not, employers may not even get to your resume because they're too busy practicing their basketball shot, with the error-littered document being the ball, and the trash can being the hoop.
Choosing the online college that's right for you is a process that takes research and comparison. One concept that's universal in every online college: Grammar gaffes are frowned upon in research papers. Instructors typically deduct points for spelling and grammar errors, so edit your work early and often.
4. Discussion boards
If you're enrolled in an online degree program, chances are you'll be interacting with fellow classmates on discussion boards. Treat the discussion board post just as you would a professional email for work. Edit and read over the post before hitting the send button. It will make a difference amongst your peers and with your online instructor.
It's becoming more and more important to preserve your online reputation. Granted, this area may not be as vital as the previous four, but having your Facebook profile littered with typos may turn away potential employers. Tip: Update your Facebook profile as if you expect an employer to look at it. Don't mistake the tip for being boring. There are still ways to be witty and interesting in a professional manner on Facebook.
Social screening is becoming a regular part of background checks, though. Don't put yourself at a disadvantage with typos littered across your profile.
Grantham University can help make sure you're on track with creating error-free documents. Our Career Center works with students and alumni every day to help them create high-impact cover letters and resumes that are error-free. The center provides other services, as well, to help you choose the right career path (and degree) for your specific interests. Click on the button below to find out more.
About the author: Eric Sorrentino joined Grantham University as Social Media Manager in October 2011. Prior to that, he blogged about Big 12 Conference athletics for KUsports.com and was a sports copy editor for the Lawrence Journal-World. Eric received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.