Heather M. Olsen

Seasoned small business owner with several years of experience in operations management, business strategy and financial management. Demonstrated success in capitalizing on new trends and technologies to drive business development initiatives and achieve sales goals.

• John, Briody, Dr., 715.735.6411, Northreach Healthcare, 3200 Shore Drive, Marinette, WI, 54143, Office: 715.735.6411
• Susan, Bunting, 906.863.5617, First Street Academy of Dance, 519 First Street, Menominee, MI, 49858, Home/Office: 906.863.5617
• Amy, German, 269.599.5648, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, Cellular: 269.599.5648
• Jessica, Mosey, 989.751.1364, 906.863.1520, Northpointe Healthcare Systems, 1021 16th Street, Menominee, MI, 49858, Cellular: 989.751.1364, Office: 906.863.1520

• TO: Quin Knutson
• FROM: Heather Olsen
• DATE: July 6th, 2012
• RE: Housing Director Position
• I am writing in response to your recent job posting for the UW-Marinette Housing Director position. More than any employment opportunity I’ve encountered, this position utilizes my strengths; including my communication and mediation abilities, ability to problem solve, and passion for youth mentoring. My attached résumé surely shows a history of employment and service experience indicative of a organized, hard-working, and task-oriented professional. For the purposes of this letter, though, I wish to speak to my people-oriented abilities, which I believe to be critical to the success of your first UW Housing Director.
• Foremost, I believe that an individual’s ability to communicate to broad constituencies is critical. Through classes and internships at Western Michigan University, I have had the chance to broaden my leadership skills, studied management styles, and organizational communication structures. While the classes gave me the opportunity to look at my professional life in a new way, I did not appreciate the education until I was able to start putting them to use in my post-collegiate career.
• The ability to problem solve in a responsible, professional way cannot be understated. Quite often, managing student means being an iron fist in velvet glove-I am always firm and rule oriented, yet compassionate, kind-hearted, and jovial. Maintaining a positive atmosphere, and continuing education out of the lecture halls and classrooms was a focus of mine as a Resident Assistant at Western Michigan University. While this proved a challenge in a primarily first year experience hall, I encountered many situations from clashing roommates, to students struggling to find their way at WMU.
• Lastly, any cognition of this position would be incomplete without mention of my passion for youth mentoring. My first love is dance, and I have had the privilege of mentoring and leading countless young people as a dance instructor at the First Street Academy of Dance. In my experience, I have found that being a good mentor often means juggling the roles of friend, authority figure, and confidant. I believe that individuals and groups flourish when they are provided patience, respect, and passion, and I hope to be given the opportunity to mentor youth at UW-Marinette.
• Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for considering my application for this important position. I am hopeful for a future interview so that I may answer any questions you have regarding my previous experiences.
• Sincerely
• Heather M. Olsen