Elizabeth S
385 Peabody
230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203
888-555-4747
Elizabeth.l.s@vanderbilt.edu
Friday, November 2nd, 2007
Ms. Cindy Funk, Director
Career Center
Vanderbilt University
310 25th Avenue South, Ste. 220
Nashville, TN 37240
Dear Ms. Funk,
I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss with you how Residence Life could better collaborate with the
Career Center and thank you for your time. I also appreciate your willingness to consider me for a practicum in
your office. Having considered a degree in counseling, I find that a practicum opportunity with your office would
be the perfect blend of that interest with Student Affairs.
The usage of the Myers Briggs as well as Strong’s Career Interest Inventory in assisting students to discover what
they have to offer to potential employers is very attractive to me. I also feel strongly about the need to pool
resources on campus and in the greater Nashville community when it comes to networking and greatly enjoy
making those contacts to benefit students.
As I envision what I would hope to gain from a practicum experience in your office, I find that observing career
counselors as they guide students through the career planning guide would be very valuable in understanding the
dynamics at work in career centers. I am very intrigued by the Blair Life Maps you have developed and what other
efforts might come out of that pilot project. My interest would lie in working with your office in Spring or
Summer of ‘08. I would be able to commit about 5 hours a week in the Spring, due to my graduate assistantship
with Residence Life, and 20-30 hours in the Summer.
My resume, which is included, details some of the experiences and skills that I can bring to your office. I hope you
will find it useful in evaluating whether I am a qualified candidate to assist you in your efforts to provide students
with the necessary information to thrive beyond the walls of Vanderbilt. Thank you for your consideration and I
will look forward to being in touch.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth S
ELIZABETH S
385 Peabody, 230 Appleton Pl., Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 999-555-0896
E-mail: es@gmail.com
Education
Vanderbilt University
Masters in Higher Education Administration
August 2007-May 2009
GPA 3.9
Furman University
August 2000-2004
Bachelors of Arts in Political Science
GPA 3.51
Honors: Furman Scholar, Graduate Cum Laude, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society
Semester Study Abroad: South Africa (Winter 2003) and France (Fall 2003)
Nashville, TN
Greenville, SC
Relevant Coursework
Psychology of Careers
Student Development Theory
Independent Study: Personality Assessments and their role in Higher Education

Evaluated the effectiveness of the usage of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in Vanderbilt’s Human and Organizational
Department and Strengths Quest Assessment in Student Services at Belmont University.
Professional Experience
Vanderbilt University
August 2007-Present
Nashville, TN
Office of the Dean of The Commons
Member of team lead by academic dean tasked to shape and implement strategic direction for new university initiative that integrates the
academic and student life experience in a living-learning environment involving faculty living in residence with first-year students.
Hall Director
August 2008-Present
Partner with Faculty Head of House to create and carry out a programmatic vision in the inaugural year for The Commons Project for one
of ten residential facilities that involve extensive collaboration with the office of Residential Education with the Dean of The Commons.
Provide transition counseling for 165 first-year students while supervising and coaching three residential advisers.
Key Accomplishments

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Spearheaded creation of a more collaborative and intentional programming agenda for first-year students by mentoring Resident
Adviser in the development of a brainstorming session for the multiple players in The Commons project including four House
Councils (Student Government within Houses), six Resident Advisers, one Faculty Associate (faculty who support academic
component of programming), and three Faculty Head of Houses. Facilitated session with a product of three events plans each
fulfilling a University acculturation value of the Quality Enhancement Plan.
Developed and directed Pre-Professional Dinner series by recruiting a comprehensive panel of faculty, student mentors, and
admissions representatives to advise up to 20 residents on the best way to navigate the undergraduate experience so as to prepare
for a professional area of interest.
Graduate Assistant
July 2007-July 2008
Laid the groundwork for The Commons Project, based upon the Residential College model, alongside 10 professional staff members by
creating programmatic initiatives that anticipated the needs of 1,600 first-year students for the incoming class of 2012. Other
responsibilities included involvement in the Resident Adviser Recruitment process through the coordination of promotional events, the
review of applications, the directing of interviews in the selection process.
Key Accomplishments
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Organized a peer mentor facilitated review sessions for first-year students alongside the Dean of The Commons that
complimented the academic support structure already in place on campus after reviewing services presently offered, consulting
with campus partners, faculty members who directed high enrollment courses with a high level of difficulty, and their Directors
of Undergraduate Studies within their respective departments.
Formulated and advised Music in The Commons series structure of five student-led committees alongside Ethnomusicology
Professor, Greg Barz, with the purpose of addressing the barrier that existed between the Vanderbilt community and the
Nashville music scene.
Internships
Vanderbilt Global Education Office
September 2008-December 2008
Nashville, TN
Graduate Intern
Observed operations in the Global Education Office composed of 8 professional staff serving 7,000 undergraduates for a graduate
practicum with a focus on re-entry programming and first-year student outreach.
Key Accomplishments

Conducted weekly meetings of student Study Abroad advisers and lead them in reaching out to first-year students by creating
and piloting study abroad promotional events for each Faculty Head of House based upon House themes.

Coordinated and proctored two informational sessions for students returning from abroad by recruiting speakers from the
Vanderbilt Career Center and various community organizations providing post-graduate international opportunities.
Vanderbilt Career Center
January 2008-August 2008
Nashville, TN
Graduate Intern
Completed practicum in Career Services by observing operations involving 15 professional staff serving 7,000 undergraduate students
while shadowing individual coaches in interpreting assessments, delivering presentations, and planning innovative programs.
Key Accomplishments


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Addressed the transition of seniors out of the university and into the world of work by creating and delivering presentation
regarding ways to survive and thrive in the world of work and compiling Career Center chapter of Life After Vanderbilt book in
collaboration with the Department of Alumni Relations.
Designed and delivered surveys and to assess the effectiveness of on-campus recruitment within the School of Engineering.
Collaborated with Blair School of Music faculty and staff in developing profile form to guide life mapping exercise meant to
facilitate self-reflection and career development of Blair students.
Belmont Office of Career Services
May 2008
Nashville, TN
Graduate Intern
Acted as an intern to support an office of 4 professional staff members serving 5,000 students with a mission of blending liberal arts with
professional education. In preparation for the Association of New American Colleges Conference hosted at Belmont University, other
responsibilities included communicating with the various members’ Career Centers in order to compile a review of services provided
within the Association.
Key Accomplishments


Researched, reviewed, and compiled a list of Internet websites for the office in order to provide students with the most beneficial
resources in career exploration.
Compiled statistical and evaluative data for program entitled “Skills Quest” delivered as part of a senior capstone in a weekend
workshop format to help students identify and communicate their skills within the interview process.
Office of Senator McConnell
May 2003-June 2003
Washington, DC
Intern
Managed the intake of constituent mail concerning the environmental policy of Senator Mitch McConnell, Majority Whip in the Senate,
in an office of 15 professional staff representing the state of Kentucky in the 108 th Congress. Other duties included attending Senate
hearings in order to collect information and report findings to the environmental policy team.
Additional Employment
Governor’s House Inn
September 2006-June 2007
Charleston, SC
Facilitated guest relations and reservation system for an upscale bed and breakfast serving up to 22 guests alongside 10 professional staff
members. Other responsibilities included managing accounting, sales, and relationships with hospitality industry in Charleston.
Motley Rice, LLC
August 2005-September 2006
Charleston, SC
Reviewed confidential documents and managed database for an Anti-Terrorism & Violent Crime Practice legislative team representing
over 6,500 family members in the 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism with the goal of bankrupting international terrorism and
exposing inadequate security safeguards within the aviation and security industries.
Training and Technical Skills
Association of Psychological Type

Certificate, Counseling to Type: Motivating Students and Clients through Individualized Career Counseling Workshop,
2009. Completed 8 hours of training on the best practices for using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to coach students in career
selection.
Mental Health Awareness and Prevention of Suicide Training. Vanderbilt University, 2007 & 2008. Two one-day workshops
conducted by the Vanderbilt Psychological Counseling Center with the goal of helping community members to identify and assist those in
need of help due to mental health concerns.
Community Involvement
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Morningside at Belmont Assisted Living, Volunteer, 2009
Alternative Spring Break, Site Leader, New Orleans, LA, 2007-2008
Medical University of South Carolina Hospital, Volunteer, 2005-2006
Professional Associations


National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, 2007-Present
Association of Career Professionals International, 2008-Present