Preparing for your Masters or Doctoral Degree

 The deadline to apply for Fall 2015 Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology program is fast approaching. February 1, 2015 is the deadline for all documents to be completed and turned in. You can find the complete guidelines and forms here.

 Even if you are not currently ready to apply, it is a good idea to take a look and familiarize yourself with the application requirements. The Letter of Intent and Recommendation Letters are important parts of your application packet, and require forethought; it is best to begin working on gathering these items in advance. 

Letter of Intent

 A letter of intent is an intellectual autobiography; its conveys the continuum of your academic life experiences and events  that have led you to desire a graduate education. 

 Writing a letter of intent can be a daunting task, so here are a few tips to think through the process and create your perfect letter of intention.

• Do your Homework: Read all the available information about the program you are applying to; be familiar with the mission statement, general program structure, and courses offered.
• Get others viewpoints: After your initial drafts, let someone you trust read your letter, and take their suggestions into consideration. Also, help is available at the Lamar Writing Center. You can find out more here; now is not the time to wing it like you might with class research writing.
• Style of writing:  A direct and straightforward writing style is recommended with an active, not passive voice. be positive, and emphasize strengths and explain anomalies. 

Here is a link to a webpage that gives a good complete outline to writing a letter of intent: Writing a Letter of Intent.

Letters of Recommendation

 Both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology have forms that the person writing the letter of recommendation must fill out. They are available here, look on the right side bar for links. 

 You need to begin this process early, because the person you are asking needs time to complete the recommendation; if you are planning on asking professors, ask early because they may have many of these letters to write. 

The College Board website has a comprehensive guide for getting a good letter of recommendation. You can find them here.

Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology Degree Plan

 The Master of Science degree program in Speech-Language Pathology at Lamar University is a two year program, with 10 academic courses, and a clinical practicum rotation each semester. The first year clinical practicum will be at Lamar Speech clinic and possibly combined with a school location. The second year students participate in off campus externships at public schools and medical sites. You can find complete information on courses and degree plan here.

Doctor of Audiology Degree Plan

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) at Lamar University offers comprehensive academic, research and clinical experience in a wide variety of settings. A unique feature of Lamar Audiology is the diversity of the clinical and research experiences available. Students obtain clinical and/or research experience at the Lamar Speech and Hearing Clinic, several local audiology clinics, public school programs, local private practices, Houston and Lake Charles and Lafayette medical centers and other medical, rehabilitative, and educational facilities across the United States. More information about the Doctoral program can be found here.

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

The Perfect Resume

Hello!

 Writing a resume, or letter of intent, can be scary a prospect. You want it to be perfect; to stand out in the right way; to give the correct information without being overly wordy...

Fortunately, help is available to create the perfect resume, or letter of intent. Lamar Audiology Instructor, Mrs. Ashley Dockens, presented "Writing the Perfect Resume", to the LEAD mentor and mentee group. 

"A resume is a short, concise document that states relevant 

information regarding your education, skills, experiences, 

accomplishments, and job-related interests."

The presentation included helpful hints about social media, tips for job hunting, and preparation for job interviews. 

Presentation Highlights:

Resume Essentials

• Include facts about yourself that are relevant to the job to which you are applying.
• Limit to one page (2 is acceptable).
• Use spell check, check grammar, and have someone else proof read to catch mistakes.
• Use clear, legible font; Serif and Sans Serif fonts are recommended.
• Avoid fancy resume paper, and excessive decoration.
• Keep a portrait format.
• Consider creating a professional email address for work/professional correspondence.
• Choose a clean-looking style for your resume format; these can be found on Microsoft, or on sites such as Etsy.
• Use key words in your resume that are gleaned from researching the company; make each company feel as though you are applying only with them.

Preparation for Job Hunting

• Tips for Job Hunting: Network and let everyone know you are looking for a job. Research your area for salary and opportunities.
• Social Media: Create a LinkedIn Profile for professional representation; Clean up your social media sites so that the image presented is appropriate for potential employers to view.
• Professional References: Always gain permission before using someone as a reference. Choose references that can speak to your work ethic, and experience. Prep your references by giving them a copy of your resume.
• Interviews: Practice answering common interview questions; assemble interview appropriate wardrobe; educate yourself about the company and prepare questions for the interviewer.
• Research job information: Checking out the company website, people and their philosophy, values, can give you valuable information.

Mrs. Dockens suggested that being yourself is best. Create a resume that reflects how your skills are a good fit for the job, by being honest and thoughtful.

Additional assistance with resume writing can be found on campus:

Career and Testing Services:
Lamar Career and Testing Services

Contact Us

Stop by our office:

4400 S. MLK Jr. Pkwy
Galloway Business Building, Suite 102
Beaumont, TX 77705

Give us a call at 409-880-8878

Send an email:

Student Employment Center
studentemploymentcenter
@lamar.edu

Career Center
careerandtestingcenter
@lamar.edu

Resume Critiques
studentemploymentcenter
@lamar.edu

Team Work Makes The Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family