ENGL 202C, Section 33

MemoTo: Prof. Vanessa McLaughlinFrom: Jason B. MorrisDate: 5/8/23Subject: Job Application Packet

Purpose

This memo is to explain the reasoning behind my job application packet. I have chosen two very different jobs to apply to and have arranged the content and layout of two separate cover letters and resumes accordingly.

Bose: Audio DSP Engineer

The Bose Audio DSP Engineer position is definitely the more technical of the two positions. After speaking with a Bose representative about the position at an on-campus information session, I learned that they are looking to hear about the candidate’s academic experiences in digital signal processing, the computer programs that they are efficient in, and a strong passion for audio.

The cover letter for this position is designed to highlight my related electrical engineering electives, my skills in computer languages, and my passion for audio. I specifically wanted to include my coursework in this cover letter because digital signal processing is a very specialized field. It is possible to get an electrical engineering degree from Penn State having never studied signal processing. I chose this field because I’m passionate about it and I wanted to highlight what I’ve learned in the coursework, especially the computer program MATLAB, which is a required skill for the position.

The resume for the Audio DSP Engineer position is also tailored to highlight my audio experiences. Again, this resume includes relevant coursework so that the reader knows that I have chosen digital signal processing as a specialization of mine. I organized the resume by order of importance so the first item in every section has some sort of relevance to audio. This resume shows that I have the technical knowledge and capability for the position but also that I have the necessary teamwork and leadership experience.

Rockwell Automation: Associate Sales Engineer

The Associate Sales Engineer position at Rockwell Automation requires less technical skills and is much more focused on communication, building relationships, and working with others. After

talking extensively with a current sales engineer at Rockwell Automation, I learned that this position is all about building customer relationships and how well you can communicate the customer needs to the company. Although this position may seem geared towards someone with a sales background, Rockwell Automation would rather seek candidates with an engineering background who can communicate effectively. They are looking for a candidate who can understand technical data and work with others who may not have any technical background at all. I have altered my resume and cover letter to highlight these attributes.

The Rockwell Automation cover letter focuses on my internship with General Motors (GM) and my experience as a Teaching Assistant for Sociology 119: Race and Ethnic Relations. The reason why I wanted to highlight my GM internship is because I worked with many people and communication was a key aspect of that job. I also gained knowledge and exposure to many Rockwell Automation products, which is not very common since they are a business-to-business company. Additionally, I talked about my TA experience because my job was literally to build trusting relationships through conversation. This was a rare and invaluable opportunity to learn uncommon skills. I learned many tools as a TA for that class that allow me to speak to others and gain a lasting trust and confidence. This skill-set is perfect for this position, as I will need to deal with customers on a daily basis.

The resume for the Rockwell Automation position also highlights my experiences working in teams, my communication skills, and my technical background. It is organized by order of importance so the first item in each section was selected to highlight communication skills or exposure to Rockwell Automation products. For this resume I did not include relevant coursework because they are not focusing on academic background throughout their selection process. It is assumed that if you graduate with an electrical engineering degree, you know the fundamentals of your field and don’t need to highlight that aspect.

1400 Martin St.Apt. 2083State College, PA 16803914-382-1042jbm5072@psu.edu

February 7, 2012

Noise Reduction Technology GroupBoseFramingham, MA 01701

Dear Noise Reduction Technology Group:

I am writing to apply for the Audio DSP Engineer position within your group that was posted on the Bose website. Being a musician and a fan of audio products since a very young age, I have been familiar with Bose and your high-quality products for quite some time now. The opportunity to join your team and work on such products is truly a dream of mine. My coursework in signal processing and my past work experiences will show that not only do I have the necessary skills for the job, but I also have a passion for it.

As a senior in electrical engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, I have had the opportunity to take multiple courses in the field of digital signal processing. In the Discrete Time Linear Systems course, I gained exposure to sampling and quantization techniques in which signals are converted from the analog to digital domain. Also, in the Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing course, I learned about many processing and filtering techniques often used in the audio field today. Both classes allowed me to work in teams with other engineers and to master the MATLAB simulation program using signal-processing algorithms.

My past work experience at the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network gave me great exposure to audio and fueled my passion for it. While working at the YES Network, I was able to choose the projects that I worked on and right from day one I was hooked on audio. Teaming up with a multidisciplinary group of audio enthusiasts, I gained exposure to headsets, speakers, microphones, mixing boards, and PA systems of all kinds, many of which were Bose products.

Please feel free to contact me at 914-382-1042 or jbm5072@psu.edu to further discuss my qualifications. I am very excited to have the opportunity to speak with you about the Audio DSP Engineer position. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jason B. Morris

1400 Martin St.Apt. 2083State College, PA 16803914-382-1042jbm5072@psu.edu

February 7, 2012

Sales Engineering Recruitment TeamRockwell Automation1201 South 2nd St.Milwaukee, WI 53204

Dear Sales Engineering Recruitment Team:

I am writing to apply for the Associate Engineer: Sales Training Program starting in July 2012. After speaking with a current Rockwell Automation sales engineer at the Penn State Career Fair, I’m confident that my communication skills and past work experiences match the needs and requirements for this position.

My first internship experience at General Motors Corporation was with the Controls, Conveyors, Robotics and Welding (CCRW) group in the body shop manufacturing department. This position allowed me to work on a large multidisciplinary team, establish relationships with people of many different backgrounds, and gain exposure to Rockwell Automation products.

Being a Teaching Assistant for Race and Ethnic Relations (Sociology 119) at Penn State, I was trained in conversational skills to help build trusting relationships within a group. Using tools such as reflective listening and open-ended questions, I gained the ability to create a safe environment for others to speak, and to resolve conflict within a group. These skills will prove to be essential when dealing with customer relations as a sales engineer.

Please feel free to contact me at 914-382-1042 or jbm5072@psu.edu to further discuss my qualifications. I am very excited to have the opportunity to speak with you about the Associate Engineer position. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jason B. Morris