Valdemar's Intrigue as a

Resume Builder

I decided to make this for reference, for when and if you're updating the resume and starting to look for internships and jobs!  Being the founder and moderator of VI, I decided that I should be able to list it under "Extracurricular Activities" or "Interests".

In order to make it look a little more professional (and to fit on one line ^_^), I dubbed our humble little group: "VI E-periodical".  While we don't exactly follow the fit for "periodical", I really wanted to emphasize the fact that this isn't a forum where we just go and post up whatever you happen to want to write.  There are specific rules, restrictions, and plotlines you have to reference before you can begin to work on anything.

In addition, many of us utilize consulting with other members both inside and outside of the forum, and we often act as each others editors.  We look at each others works and give constructive criticism (and praise) based on any number of things - technical clarity, engagement of the reader, grammar, following the formats and rules of the group, and most of all - the effectiveness of the writing.

In addition, much of our conversations about creative story arc ideas take place outside of the group, between individual members.  Extensive communication will take place, often between members on different sides of the country - or even with some of our foreign members!

So, the end result is the fact that a lot more goes into our little forum than what a "forum" typically involves.  And so, I thought that the term "periodical" was more fitting.  By the time many of our works get shared with the entire group, hours, days, weeks - or sometimes, even months of thought, planning, and work have been put into them.

If you're like me, however, this all sounds good and well, but it seems especially off-topic to put on a resume for a student of the sciences.  Being an engineering student, I wasn't sure if I wanted to include it - but, in the end, VI is a big part of my life, and I really wanted to include my baby.  And, sure enough, at my next interview (which was one of those "aggressive" interviews, where they ask you to justify everything on your resume), two engineers were puzzled by what "VI E-periodical" even was, much less what it pertained to.

I began by explaining the VI E-periodical is an online hosted forum where people from around the world can join and share in like-interests.  In this case, the main like interest is the writings of Mercedes Lackey, although we sometimes will entertain the works of other authors as well (i.e. Jo Walton, Terry Pratcher, J.K. Rowling).  We entertain not only fiction, but discussions about books, authors, and real-life issues as well.  The group was founded in 2000, and for much of the time since then, has hovered around 100 members from around the country - and some of our members are even from other parts of the world.  Typically, however, only about 30 members are active at any given time, depending on the time of year, what's going on with everyone, etc.

Patiently, I explained everything I just explained above, and then, went on to explain that the forum has significantly improved my communication skills.  Communicating via-the web with people who I've never met face-to-face can be tricky, to say the least - and trying to communicate criticism (constructive though it may be) with someone who is a stranger is enough to make anyone's palms sweat.  However, after 6 years - many, of which, we've maintained close to 100 members from all over the world - I've learned what formats work best, and just how important effective word choice is.

In addition, I've learned how important it is to be very precise and specific.  Paying close attention to these details allows me to effectively communicate across cultures and barriers, often discussing both matters that the person might be sensitive about, and rather abstract ideas as well (i.e. reader engagement, plotline, better wording).

In addition to writing and communication skills, it (of course) has helped to develop typing skills, as well as having a greater familiarity with the internet in general.  Those of us who are mods also have been given an opportunity to practice leadership skills, managerial skills, and, in some cases, mediation skills as well.  All in all, VI has given most of us the chance to improve ourselves in many ways, way which can easy be applied to any given job.

I hope you all take the opportunity to add VI E-periodical to your resume, and get a chance to expound on it as much as I did!  The guys interviewing me ate it up and really seemed to enjoy the fact that I was so enthusiastic talking about something that I love.  In the end, I did get the job offer - and I hope you do too!

If anyone has any more ideas about how to expound upon the VI experience, let me know - I plan on putting this up on the website for easy reference, and I'd love to hear everyone's ideas.