Breath of Clarity

Introductory Letters

Hi EcoForesters staff,

I would appreciate the opportunity to thrive with EcoForesters. I am a part-time graduate student with 10 hours/week of coursework until graduating in March. I am looking to supplement my studies with a part or full-time employment position and would be available to start now. Given the insight I have gained from academia and my past experience, the programs and services provided through EcoForesters exactly align with the work I aim to dive into. I resonate with Andy’s description of positive impact forestry in the video “Talking Ecological Forestry” from the EcoForesters website. I am glad to see a company with a mission of improving forest diversity in a way that enhances economic and ecological value. EcoForesters stands out to me because of its combined focus on gathering data to tell the story of a space, actively restoring for the long-term with adaptive management, and involving the public in stewardship. I particularly support the component of the company that connects landowners with ecologically sound practices that still align with their values and goals. Further, I am interested in being part of a group that uses efficient and innovative methods that are based on current science. Considering the services that EcoForesters offers, I see it as a cutting-edge company in the industry and would cherish being involved in any capacity.

While I am officially applying for the Forest Associate position, it would be awesome for the team to take a look at my materials and determine how I could best support the organization. For instance, I am highly organized and have exceptional administrative skills if there is a need in that regard. Additionally, my training with Plank Road Forestry equipped me with data collection skills, southern Appalachian species identification knowledge, and Microsoft Excel competency. My experience in conducting sales presentations with Sungrade Solar and connecting with garden center owners through Carolina Native Nursery sharpened my ability to interact well with clients or partner conservation organizations. I am also accustomed to working outdoors in all types of conditions and enjoy being immersed in the woods. Also, over the course of my graduate program, I developed a keen attention to detail in the context of composing reports that describe forest conditions and stewardship. I attached one of my papers depicting results of a biological survey for a proposed removal of Eucalyptus globulus at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Santa Cruz, California. I would happy to specialize in creating or editing reports and presentations if that would benefit the team. I also have a collection of written pieces that directly apply Aldo Leopold’s theory from A Sand County Almanac to forest management decisions and have quite a bit of compositions about adaptive management. All of my writing from the graduate program is accessible via my website listed at the top of my resume. Please contact me with any questions or to discuss any aspect of my materials in further detail.

Thank you for considering my application,

Mary

Dogwood Alliance

Hi Danna,

I am interested in somehow collaborating with Dogwood Alliance as the services provided through Dogwood Alliance exactly align with the work I aim to dive into. I am a part-time, remote graduate student in Natural Resource Management through University of Denver and am all set to complete the program in March. I am living in West Asheville and am passionate about connecting people to the natural world and restoring forests as I value the support that forests have provided me.

It would be awesome for the team to consider how I could support the organization. For instance, I have a writing portfolio accessible at waveofclarity.webs.com that includes all my writing from the graduate program including compositions from my Wetland Ecology course, pieces that directly apply Aldo Leopold’s theory from A Sand County Almanac to forest management decisions, and more. I am wondering whether it would be in any way useful to Dogwood Alliance. I can also send over my resume that details my past professional experience in the environmental sector. Dogwood Alliance stands out to me because of how the organization recognizes forests as such a valuable tool in the midst of climate change and accordingly takes action.

All the best,

Mary Friedman

Hi Forestland Group team,

I am currently a part-time, remote graduate student in Natural Resource Management through the University of Denver and am looking to apply my studies to support a reputable company. I am interested in collaborating with Forestland Group as the services provided through this organization exactly align with the work I aim to dive into. It would be awesome for the team to consider how I could support the organization.

All the best,

Mary Friedman

Hi RiverLink/SAHC team,

I am interested in collaborating with RiverLink as the services provided through this organization align exactly with the work I aim to dive into. I am currently a part-time remote graduate student in Natural Resource Management through the University of Denver and am all set to complete the program in March. I am settled here in Asheville and would appreciate the opportunity to somehow become involved with the projects at RiverLink.

All the best,

Mary Friedman

Hi ENO team,

I saw the posting for Warehouse Associate on the Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina job site and attached my resume to this email. I cherish my ENO hammock and envision it being fun to work here. Please let me know how I can best add value to the team.

I am currently a part-time, remote graduate student in Natural Resource Management and am all set to complete the graduate program in March. I am passionate about connecting people to nature in any way possible. I also have a high standard for accuracy and care about achieving customer satisfaction. I have experience as a forestry technician, horticulturist and sales representative, residential solar consultant, farmhand, environmental educator, environmental campaign intern and more. As my resume shows, at the end of the day I am a renaissance person who can adapt to all sorts of settings.

I am looking to supplement my current studies with a part or full-time employment position. I am settled with my Australian Shepherd dog here in Asheville and do not see myself relocating anytime soon. I am simply looking to find work that I enjoy for a quality company. I would be available to start now. Please contact me with any questions or to discuss my application materials in further detail.

Thanks!

Being in a Leadership Role:

Mary Friedman

Asheville, NC 28806. 224-456-9296. mfriedman.oracle@gmail.com

[Date]

[Name of Company]

RE: [Name of Position]

Dear [Hiring Team],

My past experience in a variety of educational support roles aligns well with the position.

My initial interest in collaborating with students to support their growth began with a volunteer program I did in Zanzibar, Tanzania. I had the opportunity to tutor local high school students in English and improve their competency in Microsoft programs. It was difficult to get used to the large amount of time that some students spent composing answers to questions. Originally, sitting in silence with students during our dialogue was difficult because the air felt empty and awkward. However, throughout my time teaching, I learned that I could be of better service when I was willing to wait for them. It taught me that, rather than hastily offering pointers, tutoring is about evoking the innate intelligence out of the students and making them feel capable. From there, I was eager to continue providing a service that brought out human potential. In the spring of 2015, I completed the College Aides in Colorado Springs Schools course that entailed a student-teacher practicum at a local elementary school. I enjoyed giving students individualized attention during their writing workshop sessions. I remember being so impressed with the content that some students could brainstorm. I also recall students felt so honored that I was taking the time to sit with them. Additionally, in the fall of 2015, I completed a student-teaching practicum as my study abroad internship at Otari School in Wilton, New Zealand. I was once again awed by the strengths of students and also noticed the profound power of inquiry-based pedagogy in a Montessori classroom. Eventually, after graduation, I completed a more in-depth training program that entailed 190 hours of technical training in teaching English as a foreign language which included theory, methodology, lesson planning and a practicum for the purpose of learning how to generate participation and progress from the students. I complimented that with a variety of sales positions that enhanced my communication skills and taught me how to build rapport people in order to establish a sense of safety in conversation.

Please review my enclosed resume for a more in-depth illustration of my work history and accomplishments. I would appreciate the opportunity to interview discuss the position in further detail. Thank you for your time and consideration.