________________________________________________________________________

Memorandum

To: Professor Leslie Mateer

From: Paul R. Christner
Subject: Analysis of Cover Letter and Resume to Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
Date: February 10, 2011

Through reading my resume along with cover letter, one can gain a general
understanding on the education and past employment I have incurred throughout my
career as an undergraduate thus far. This cover memo is meant to broaden the reader’s
knowledge on the information included in both documents, specifically targeted at
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. My cover memo is broken down into three sections:
job description, audience analysis, and rhetorical analysis. The job description section is
dedicated to giving insight on the position that I am applying for. Audience analysis
explains the firm’s background along with who I anticipate reviewing my materials.
Finally, the rhetorical analysis section describes how I adapted my papers specifically for
the company under consideration. Following is my description of these topics.

Job Description

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Water & Energy Engineer

The job description posted on the ad for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. is for an entry-
level Water & Energy Engineer. Although I only have minimal knowledge of energy
engineering, as I reviewed the qualifications in the job ad, no previous knowledge on
this subject is required. Therefore it is safe to assume that the experience I have gained
throughout my course work as an undergraduate should prepare me for the position.

This company deals with all phases of civil engineering applications; however I will be
mainly involved with the water resources aspects of business. The firm deals with a
wide variety of waterway permitting and design services that are targeted at preserving
our streams and watersheds. They also provide services such as HEC-RAS hydraulic
modeling and structure design, floodplain, dam breech, and scour analysis, along with
erosion and sedimentation control design. The company’s staff has extensive
knowledge of both federal and state regulations for all aspects of project design.

As an entry-level staff professional, I will be responsible for performing studies,

designing computations, and construction observation of water, wastewater, and
environmental projects in the State College Regional Office. Using my computer skills
along with extensive familiarity with several related equations, I will aid the company in
performing tasks to better suit the clients needs within regulations. The ad also states
that the company is looking for an employee that is a team player with strong
communication and organizational skills. Throughout my years of not only college but
also high school, I have effectively accomplished all of these requirements and feel
strong in my capabilities to perform them.

Audience Analysis

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. is an experienced engineering based firm with nine
offices located throughout the state of Pennsylvania. They were founded in 1962 as a
sanitary engineering firm and now have developed into a full service firm offering
expertise in transportation, civil and water resources, environmental assessment,
surveying, site design, and there specialty of water and wastewater engineering. They
have served citizens across Pennsylvania and the surrounding states with determination
to perform the best job they can.

The company’s website contains a page that includes posts from numerous clients
portraying their satisfaction. Because they have such a broad range of services, they can
oversee the initial project concept to project delivery. This has been a successful way of
pulling in clients due to the ease of dealing with only one firm and project manager to
supervise the entire project. Engineering News-Record magazine has ranked them as
one of the top 500 Design Firms in the country several times in the past few years.

It is difficult determining who exactly will review my job application packet, because it is
first sent to the HR department. However, I do believe that a Professional Engineer (PE)
in the water and energy service department within the State College Regional Office
would be a likely candidate. As a PE, this individual has a very educated and
experienced background and will be checking to see that I can meet the qualifications
that are expected. I also feel that they will look to make sure that I have the personal
characteristics to make a smooth transition into their company as I interact with fellow
co-workers.

Rhetorical Analysis

Cover Letter

I broke down my cover letter into four separate paragraphs. The first paragraph is
simply a statement of intent to apply at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. It also includes
my proclamation that I posses the qualifications necessary to fulfill the position.
Next, my second paragraph is dedicated to informing the reader on my past, current,
and future educational archive. I decided to incorporate the information that I feel is
the most important when taking this particular position into account. I also mentioned
my current semester project that I am working on to relate how my schooling ties in
with the work this company provides.

The third paragraph then gives insight onto the type of work ethic and experience I
have. I decided to state that I have worked throughout my college career to show that
while I exceeded in school, I also had to provide myself a source of income. Then, I
described some of the work I performed while employed as an intern last summer with
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Given that the qualifications for the
position included previous internship experience with a consulting engineering firm, I
confirmed that this is my intent for this upcoming summer.

My fourth and concluding paragraph is simply a closing to the letter. I stated that more
information can be viewed on my attached resume, and that I would like to meet in
person so that both parties can gain a better feel for one another. By listing my contact
information and offering a statement of thanks, my cover letter comes to a close.

Resume

I decided to stick with my original idea of a chronological resume rather than a skills
resume. I feel at this point in my career, it better portrays myself because I am still a
student and do not have enough specific engineering skills to list.

I started off with the objective of the resume at the top specifically for Herbert, Rowland
& Grubic, Inc. My educational high points and relative courses were listed next. I then
broke up my job experience into two sections, relevant experience and work history.
This was done to include my internship at the top to note that it was more important
than the part-time jobs I have had during college. For both sections, I listed bullets for
each job to allow the reader to see what I accomplished at each respected occupation. I
ended the resume with a few honors and activities I have gained through school, as well
as a section stating my intent to provide references when asked upon.

I feel as though my resume is directed towards the position in a very positive manner.
Once my capstone project comes to a close, and I obtain another internship this
summer, I can then highlight upon more information that particularly relates to this
position.
924 Bellaire Avenue Apt. # V219
State College, PA 16801

February 10, 2011

HR Department; Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

369 East Park Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am responding to the job post on www.nationjob.com for the entry-level position as a

Water & Energy Engineer at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Through extensive
research, I feel that you are a very respectable and dedicated firm that I would be
honored to work for. Looking over the list of qualifications, I believe that my education
and experience qualify me for the position.

I am currently enrolled in my senior year at The Pennsylvania State University, in which I

will obtain my BS degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering in December of this year.
I have a 3.67 cumulative GPA, and have excelled in all of my water related courses thus
far. Upon my graduation, I will also obtain a minor in Watersheds & Water Resources.
This minor is a selected 18 credits that has given me a broad range of knowledge about
the transport of surface and subsurface waters. Also, I am currently working on my
capstone design project to calculate the watershed and runoff characteristics around
Lake Somerset, in Southeastern PA. Through these experiences, I will have the
necessary skills and pertinent knowledge in order to succeed in the open position.

A significant point of my college career is that I have consistently maintained

employment. This has forced me to manage my time efficiently in order to financially
support myself and focus on schoolwork. This past summer, I had the opportunity to
work with The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as an engineering intern. I
inspected all related phases of highway construction work performed by the contractor.
Following, I performed calculations based on recorded field notes, and filed documents
to assure contract compliance. My plan this summer is to obtain a water related
position with an engineering firm to continue sharpening my skills.

More information on my education and past work experience can be reviewed in the
enclosed resume. I would highly value the opportunity to set up an interview at your
convenience to discuss my credentials and how they tie in with the position. Please feel
free to contact me any time at (814) 931-3081 or e-mailing me at prc5035@psu.edu.

Thank you for your time,

Paul Christner
 Permanent Address:
186 Woods Lane
Paul R. Christner Local Address:
924 Bellaire Avenue, Apt. V219
Altoona, PA 16601 prc5035@psu.edu State College, PA 16801
814-931-3081

Objective To obtain the entry-level position as a Water & Energy Engineer at the State College Regional Office of
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

Education Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Minor in Watersheds & Water Resources
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Expected graduation: December 2011
Cumulative GPA: 3.67 / 4.00

Relative Courses
Fluid Mechanics Water Resources Engineering Environmental Engineering
Water & Wastewater Treatment Water Resources Capstone Course
Open Channel Hydraulics Mechanics of Soils Highway Engineering
Surveying Economics & Construction Project Delivery Construction Project Management

Relevant Civil Engineering Intern

Experience The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Clearfield, PA 05/10-08/10
 Performed a variety of inspection and testing duties to assure conformance with contract
requirements and established specifications
 Inspected all routine phases of highway construction work including drainage specifications, asphalt
requirements, placement and design of reinforced steel bars, concrete conditions, allowable
strength, and checking of alignments and grades
 Developed mathematical calculations to determine consistency of materials being used, drew
sketches, noted field plan changes, and maintained consolidated inspection, progress, and quality
control reports associated with the work being accomplished

Work Sales Associate

History Snappy’s Convenience Store, State College, PA 02/10-Present
 Responsible for all store functions including stocking of goods, maintaining high cleanliness, shut
down of the store, and ending shift reports
 Worked independently without supervision, executing all business procedures between customers
 Managed cash transactions totaling $1,000’s for each scheduled shift

Waiter / Sales Associate

Mama Randazzo’s / Sal’s Six Packs, Altoona, PA 09/07-01/10
 Served as main customer contact and coordinated 100+ eat-in, takeout, and delivery orders with
kitchen, staff, and drivers
 Operated under a fast paced environment as well as accomplished tasks such as stocking, hand
washing all dishes, and maintaining the cleanliness of the store
 Oversaw Sal’s individually during each shift and was accountable for closing the entire store

Honors & Dean’s List Academic Achievement

Activities Awarded the Gert and Jean Aron Endowment in Civil and Environmental Engineering Scholarship
Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honor Society
The PSU American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter (ASCE)

References Available upon request