Speech Pathologist Cover Letter
The ambition of this young speech-language pathologist to help others overcome obstacles (because of her own early problems with speech) is embodied in the opening and closing analogy.
Sample Speech Pathologist Cover Letter
March 27, 2010
John Michel
1237 Main Court
Santa Cruz
CA, 95060
Cell: 243-543-6767
Dear Dr. Michel:
On the high seas, navigation is very important. In fact, few persons could play a more significant role than the captain of a large cargo vessel.
When the cargo vessel approaches the mainland or nears port, a towering beacon of golden light flashes and revolves to guide ships and warn of obstacles. Here, the lighthouse and its keeper bring the ship through the maze of rocks, atolls and barnacled debris, to safe harbor.
The speech-language pathologist is comparable to the lighthouse keeper; she is the beacon, the guiding light, with the training to show the way to those less fortunate. I understand, intimately, the importance of such training. At age six, to correct the mispronunciation of the letter "r," I went to a speech therapist. This was a pivotal moment, for I realized that I could be helped and that speech-language problems were correctable.
Over the years, this interest has grown and taken on a new meaning. Two years ago, I volunteered for Operation Smile, a project in which local physicians travel to Third-World countries and perform reconstructive surgery (usually pro bono) to correct cleft palates of children.
Since then, I have worked as a volunteer at Lake Forest School for the Deaf, teaching basic life skills using sign language. And at Mercy Speech & Hearing Center, a clinic sponsored by the United Way, I currently volunteer, observing and evaluating children with articulation and audiology problems.
Since August 2000, while completing requirements for a master's degree, I have been employed at The Center for Speech Excellence in Charlotte, administering tests and tutoring children in the Fast-Forward Program, an intensive six-week interactive program, with emphasis in receptive language skills, auditory processing and central processing disorders. Working under the auspices of Pamela Wright, a speech pathologist, I have shadowed her while working with children with cochlear implants. The Center treats hearing-impaired children and also works with adults (e.g., accent reduction, voice pitch alteration, and stuttering).
My goal is to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and associated counseling services within a hospital or other clinical setting. I am particularly interested in working with children with articulation, fluency, language, voice and neurological deficits. If your hospital needs a speech pathologist-to be that "guiding light"-I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your needs in a personal interview. I look forward to hearing from you. A brief resume of my background is enclosed.
Sincerely,
Hennery Smith
Enclosure