Job Application Package Analysis

DATE: March 4, 2014 TO: Stephen Fonash FROM: MiDori Evans SUBJECT: Job Application Package

JML Landscape Management JML is a landscape maintenance company located in Pittsburgh that prides itself in outstanding service. The company provides management in lawn care, landscape plantings, tree care, irrigation, and seasonal maintenance and clean-up. JML is committed to meeting all their clients needs as well as staying current in the agricultural business. They are a member of the industrys leading associations, PLANET and the International Society of Arboriculture. As a member of PLANET and ISA, they are expected to uphold a high level of competence in the agricultural profession. Through their service they hold true to these values. JML Landscape Management has over 50 years of experience in the maintenance industry and has strived to stay on top of cutting-edge technology and ethics. JML is committed to training and developing the skills of its employees and their scope of work. This company does work in landscape management, landscape enhancement, and snow and ice removal. JMLs will to provide their clients with the best services has allowed them to expand and operate year-round as opposed to other landscape businesses. Working for JML Landscape Management will allow me to enhance my maintenance and customer service skills. JML is searching for a Landscape Maintenance Account Supervisor to oversee various management accounts and their crews. They desire an individual that is confident and detail-oriented as well as quality control, budgeting labor and materials, interacting with other employees within the company, and also takes pride in LEED safety compliance. JML believes that the service they provide is dependent upon the people they employ. They make sure that personnel are professional in manner and appearance, responsive to the needs of the client, and knowledgeable about landscape practices. As a Landscape Contracting student at Penn State, I believe I possess the qualities JML are looking for. The approach I took in developing my cover letter and resume was conservative. At the end of the job description the employer provided very important information that allowed me to shape my job application that highlighted my educational experience. JML provided names and graduation dates of several employees who also went to Penn State. This bit of information allowed me provide several reallife situations that the Penn State employees can relate to. It also gives them a different perspective of other PSU students and how they approach these situations. In my resume, I first provided information on my education, since the employer highlighted Penn State alumni. I also gave information on my high school because I wanted to give an example of managing small scale projects as a beginner in agricultural, which I believe is very impressive. I didnt highlight my work experience because it didnt really provide the employer with what I am capable of. So, once again I provided my most important academic projects and course activities. The projects I provided mainly are from the area of state college. I highlighted these because the employer could possibly go to the site and see the final results. These examples allows JML to see that I can manage a site and please the client, which they value greatly. The last section I provided was related courses that I took while at Penn State. I first provided my language courses because in the job ad it specific a basic knowledge of the Spanish language. While researching

JML, I noticed several pictures with Spanish workers. Due to the fact that I will be working with this group of individuals on a daily basis, I would need to know how to effectively communicate with them. I highlighted my estimating and bidding because it was centered on managing a site and all its business components. I also gave information on Accounting because it centers on balancing accounts and ledgers. As a maintenance accountant for JML it is important to be able to keep track of their accounts. All of the information I have provided conveys to JML that I am a well-rounded individual with the knowledge and experience to handle their accounts. Brookside Gardens Brookside Gardens is a public park dedicated to providing the public with a safe and green park system. Brookside emphasizes excellence in stewardship, integrity, service, education, and diversity. The park is divided into several different departments, as a landscape contracting student, their Horticulture program piques my interest. Brookside provides many programs and outreach initiatives to better connect the park with the community. I believe that working with Brookside Gardens will further develop important skills that will be of use for future jobs. Located in Montgomery County, Brookside is a 50-acre public display garden within Wheaton Regional Park. There are many distinct areas within the park dedicated to displaying many different types of landscapes. Among those are the Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Childrens Garden, Japanese Style Garden and a Rose Garden. There are many other areas where guest can enjoy formal landscapes as well. Brookside Gardens is seeking a trained Horticulturalist to maintain several exhibits in the Montgomery County Park. As a Horticulturalist for this particular job, you must be able to maintain and enhance the landscape displays, oversee business aspects, like ordering plant materials for the landscape, supervise work staff and volunteers, be able to operate landscape equipment, prepare educational programs, prepares inventories, and possess interpersonal skills. There is also a need for knowledge in plant identification, care and maintenance. Brookside is looking for a dedicated individual who possesses an extensive knowledge in horticulture and given my education and experience, I would be deemed appropriate for this position. In deciding how to design my cover letter and resume, I provided more information for the employer because I wasnt sure how familiar they would be with a Penn State student. The approach I took with my resume was to try to convey myself as a horticulture oriented candidate. The job ad emphasized the importance of the plant identification and landscape management. I first highlighted my experiences because they contain most of the skills the job ad requests. Next I highlighted my education because Penn State, in the world of Agriculture is well known. I also highlighted my high school experience because this is where all of my basic experience and knowledge has come from. The high school portion portrays the fact that I have practicing horticulture for a while. It was important to highlight this because I wanted to portray to the employer that I am capable of maintaining a landscape and developing programs as well as interacting with the public. I provided several academic projects which portray real life situations of myself working sites and landscapes. These examples gives concrete evidence of my experience and knowledge in this industry. The last section of my resume highlights the courses that were of most importance in developing my skill set. I added this section because I wanted to convey that I had furthered my knowledge in horticulture. My cover letter is organized in the same way of my resume. It highlights my education and experience, as I said before I believe it is very important to portray to the employer that I am perfecting my skill set in horticulture. My cover letter provides real situations that show how I handle landscape situations when given to me. Course related work is substantial evidence that portrays my continued educational interest in horticulture. I believe this is very important because it says to the employer that I am very serious about furthering my knowledge and experience with their company.

MiDori Evans 531 West Oxford Street Philadelphia, PA. 19122 mne5020@gmail.com

February 26, 2014

JML Landscape Management 978 Route 910 Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Dear Jim Meinert: As a Landscape Contracting student at Penn State, I acquired a job posting for The Landscape Maintenance Account Supervisor position through my professor, Dan Stearns. I have noticed several things about your company. You provide an excellent service in landscape maintenance with very high standards. I really liked that JML Landscape Management operates as a family. Please accept this letter as interest in the Landscape Maintenance Account Supervisor position. Through education and experience I have a skill set that will be an asset to your company. As you may know, the Landscape Contracting major at Penn State is very thorough and extensive. It provides students with a set of skills that ranges over the entire Landscaping industry. While at Penn State, I took a course in managing landscape accounts. In that class, I estimated and bid on a site. This class provided me with the knowledge of maintaining accounts as well as budgeting. Furthering my education, I took several business classes as well as an accounting course, which provided real world situations on managing accounts. My skill set has further developed through my experience. At my current job, The Mix I manage several students, while providing a service to the Penn State community. Through this job I have been able to boost my confidence and communicational skills by interacting with the pubic daily. I handle customer concerns as well as make sure all students are abiding by the Universitys safety standards. My resume provides greater detail of my duties. Through many lessons and life experiences I have learned to manage and interact with many different people. Through my knowledge and experience, I believe I am a great candidate for this position. My resume is enclosed for your review and consideration. I look forward to a personal meeting to discuss it with you. You can contact me at 215-617-XXXX or at mne5020@psu.edu Sincerely, MiDori Evans ATTACHMENT

MiDori Nicole Evans

531 W. Oxford St Philadelphia PA., 19122 215-617-XXXX mne5020@psu.edu OBJECTIVES: To obtain the position of Landscape Maintenance Account Supervisor at JML Landscape Management. Using my experience and knowledge gained from work and education to control maintenance accounts, manage and budget for those accounts, interact with other employees to ensure all accounts are in order, and lead in safety compliance. EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA Bachelor of Science in Landscape Contracting, 2014 o Design/ Build and Management Options Walter B Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences, Philadelphia PA Landscape Contracting Design and Build, 2009 o Developed skills by taking courses like plant identification, basic hand drawn design concepts, turf grass management, disease management, learning how to operate tractors and lawn care equipment, and enforcing safety measures throughout all school projects ACADEMIC PROJECTS: Nittany Lion Inn, State College PA Student Worker Designed and built a new patio area for local hotel o Ensured compliance of safety measures with all student workers o Installed new patio, plantings, and drainage systems o Learned masonry methods for building stone walls The House of Care, State College PA Student Worker Assisted in installation of recreational garden for Senior Citizens o Installed and watered all plant material o Participated in the destruction of a ramp, existing patio and walkway o Installed new walkway and patio o Interpreted landscape plans o Ensured safety compliance

Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia PA Student Worker Assisted in installation of high school exhibit o Operated heavy machinery o Liaised between school and sponsor, The Philadelphia Airport o Interacted with the public to explain exhibit o Purchased plant materials and other materials for completion of exhibit RELATED COURSES: The Pennsylvania State University HORT468- Landscape Estimating and Bidding o Interpreted contracts and drawings o Estimated and Bid on jobs o Kept track of labor hours and materials o Quantity take-offs and bid estimating documents Accounting211- Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making o Interpreted financial accounts o Prepared year-end financial documents, ledgers, and balance sheets o Interpreted real-life situations SPAN105 & SPAN 106- Spanish for Students in the Agricultural Sciences o Learned basic Spanish grammar o Developed oral, written, and basic effective communication Spanish skills o Studied Spanish culture and customs

MiDori Evans 531 West Oxford Street Philadelphia, PA. 19122 mne5020@gmail.com February 25, 2014 Brookside Gardens The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Recruitment and Selection Services Office 6611 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 103 Riverdale, Maryland 20737 Dear Human Resources Representative: As a student in the College of Agriculture, Plant Science Department, I was provided with access to The Maryland-National Capital Park job posting. Through further research, I have found out that Brookside Gardens is a place where people can come to enjoy and admire the landscapes. Please accept this letter as an expressed interest in the Horticulturist position for the Brookside Gardens Job Ad. I have acquired a skill set through education and experience that meets the need for this position. My interest in horticulture was piqued through my participation in the Philadelphia Flower Show and has further developed through my studies at Penn State University. While attending Saul Ag. High School, I was responsible for developing a master plan for presenting an exhibit that depicted what an average little Italy backyard looks like in South Philadelphia. I was also involved with installing plant materials, water features, and hanging mosaics. Using that knowledge, I furthered my studies at Penn State by taking design and landscape management courses. In those courses, I was presented with opportunities to plan and design for many clients. Using programs like AutoCAD and Google Sketch-Up, I created a landscape design plan set for a professor at the University. My resume provides a list of courses to these claims and will prove that I will be an asset to your company. My experience in the field further developed when I interned with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society under the direction of Sally McCabe and Charlotte Kidd. My duties were but not limited to taking care of private gardens throughout the city, pruning shrubs and perennials, watering and replanting perennials and annuals. While I worked with Mrs. McCabe, I managed her private garden as well as attending meetings for the Garden Club. While working for Ms. Kidd, I took inventory of plants and managed landscapes all over the Philadelphia area. My resume provides further details that will support my experience. Working with people and educating them about Horticulture has always been a passion of mine. Through many life experiences with education and work I have learned to be a self-starter, a team player, and able to interact with many different people. I have taken several Horticulture classes in both High School and College that will prove me to be a great candidate for this job. My resume is enclosed for your review and consideration. I look forward to a personal meeting to discuss it with you. You can contact me at 215617-XXXX or at mne5020@psu.edu. Sincerely, MiDori Evans
ATTACHMENT

MiDori Nicole Evans

531 W. Oxford St Philadelphia PA., 19122 215-617-XXXX mne5020@psu.edu

OBJECTIVES: To obtain the position of Horticulturalist at Brookside Gardens. Using experience and knowledge to fulfill the duties of maintaining and enhancing plantings, designing and installing plant displays, planning and supervising staff and volunteers, operating landscape vehicles, and preparing educational programs for park visitors. EXPERIENCE: Philadelphia Horticultural Society, Philadelphia PA Intern Cleaned and maintained private parks in Center City Cleaned and maintained private gardens o Planted, potted, and watered plant material o Installed plant material o Purchased plant material o Cleaned-up and cut back plant material to maintain aesthetics In The Garden with Charlotte Kidd, Wyndmoor PA Co-Supervisor Pruned, cutback, and thinned tall shrubs and small trees Watered and maintained private gardens for high end clientele Installed small trees, shrubs, and flowers Applied feed to plants and shrubs Applied and spread all types of mulch to all landscapes Inventoried all plant material Developed weed management skills EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA 16802 Bachelor of Science in Landscape Contracting, 2014 o Design/Build and Management Options Walter B Saul high school of Agricultural Sciences, Philadelphia PA Landscape Contracting Design and Build, 2009 o Developed skills by taking courses like plant identification, basic hand drawn design concepts, turf grass management, disease management, and learning how to operate tractors and lawn care equipment

ACADEMIC PROJECTS: Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia PA Student Worker Assisted in installation of high school exhibit o Operated heavy machinery o Installed plant material and water features o Liaised between school and sponsor, The Philadelphia Airport o Designed and installed mural and several hanging mosaic paintings using tiles and tiling method o Interacted with the public to explain exhibit o Purchased plant materials and other materials for completion of exhibit The House of Care, State College PA Student Worker Assisted in installation of recreational garden for Senior Citizens o Installed and watered all plant material o Participated in the destruction of a ramp, existing patio and walkway o Installed new walkway and patio o Interpreted landscape plans The Decoteau Residence, State College PA Student Design Project Developed Master Plan Set for Clientele o Created Planting Plans, Construction Plans, Master Design Sets for client o Designed using AutoCAD and Google Sketch-UP RELATED COURSES: The Pennsylvania State University HORT269- Residential Landscape Planning o Developed designing skills for residential landscapes o Designed Landscapes using AutoCAD and Google Sketch-UP o Applied those skills by designing for clients in the college of ag HORT368- Landscape Planting Plan o Developed skills on how to correctly place plant material o Applied skills by designing for clients HORT408- Landscape Plant Establishment and Maintenance o Developed skills on how to correctly place plant material o Developed skills on weed management