Taking PCP

Well here goes the start of my new blog about the PCP class I'm taking at Ringling! (gotta love that acronym, never gets old) But what PCP really is all about is Professional Communication and Presentation and it's the first class of its kind here at Ringling College of Art and Design, being taught by Eric Engel.

And I have to say.. not only is it the first of its kind because Ringling has never offered a PCP course before, but it is also the first kind of class where I feel I have a lot of freedom to express myself in a working environment in a creative way. I guess I'm kind of starting off this blog with an evaluation of what I think of the class thus far (3.5 weeks into the semester).

So! Here goes. Like I said, I really like how Eric gives us freedom to be creative but also get work done... and learn in the process, of course. My expectations of the class at first was that it was probably going to be a little boring, since it was about giving presentations. My immediate assumption was that giving presentations meant maybe each week he would give us a topic and we would have to constantly make power-points and flash cards and what not, sit around in a big circle, and listen to each other give speeches in front of a podium. Much to my excitement, I was very wrong about what this class is all about.

PCP seems to be much more about learning how people interact with one another in a "professional" and also everyday environment and what that all means. For example, "professional" can mean a number of different things. Here's what the Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines professional as:

professional
Function: noun
: a person who is professional; especially : a person who engages in a pursuit or activity professionally

So, thank you Miriam-Webster for using the word we are looking up IN the actual definition and leading us in a big circle. Well, leading me in a big circle at least. However, after chewing on this definition and letting it marinate in my head for a bit, I combined it with what we previously discussed in class about the meaning of this word to try to make sense out of it.

To engage in a pursuit professionally means it must pertain to the profession. Therefore, depending on the profession, the meaning of professional changes as well. For example, to be a professional basketball player does not mean that one needs to dress up in a suit and tie and nice dress shoes to every professional basketball game. Rather, the complete opposite is necessary: basketball jersey and sneakers.

However, for a lawyer to appear professional, he or she must wear a suit and tie and dress up. This is because that particular outfit pertains to the environment of a court room and is necessary to appear professional in that particular work environment.

All of this I found to be really interesting. I find that this particular class makes me think differently about a lot of things. I even find myself thinking about what we talk about in class a lot outside of it. This is why I figured a blog would be my best bet for our reflexive inquiry writing assignment.

-kp