After a highly competitive selection process, one of the world’s leading publishers of scholarly journals recently named APU Department of Doctoral Higher Education professors Karen Longman, Ph.D., and Laurie Schreiner, Ph.D., as the new editors of Christian Higher Education: An International Journal of Research, Theory, and Practice. This peer-reviewed journal, which is interdenominational and interdisciplinary in scope, publishes original research, meta-analyses, analytical essays, book reviews, and descriptions of best practices informed by empirical research.
“Drs. Longman and Schreiner each bring three decades of leadership experience in Christian higher education, editorial backgrounds, and extensive research experience to their new roles as editors of Christian Higher Education,” said Provost Mark Stanton, Ph.D. “This prestigious honor also enhances the university’s academic visibility and reputation.”
Prior to the appointment, Longman served as guest editor of a 2011 special edition of the journal that featured the research of APU faculty and recent graduates of the Department of Doctoral Higher Education. “Given the research interests of department faculty and the 90-plus doctoral students in our higher education programs, this journal represents a natural fit for APU,” said Longman. “We look forward to building mutually beneficial relationships with researchers around the world who share a passion for better understanding and strengthening Christian higher education.”
The Christian Higher Education journal now resides within APU’s Center for Research on Christian Higher Education, located in the Department of Doctoral Higher Education. “Bringing this journal to APU affirms our desire to be a premier Christian university,” said Schreiner. “It positions our scholarship as international in scope, but targeted toward the heart of our mission: Christian higher education.”
From orphans pursued by a larcenous relative to wizards battling for control of a magical realm and vampires and werewolves contesting for love and blood, to quasi-gladiatorial bouts to decide who gets to live—works by such authors as Lemony Snicket, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins become cultural phenomena, filling bookstore shelves and evolving into blockbuster movies. Many parents and educators express concern over the depiction of raw violence and exploration of dark themes in children’s and young adult fiction, not to mention the films that follow them. They ask three questions: Will this material harm impressionable, young minds? Why is such violent, supernatural, and dystopian fare now popular? What should we do?
First, let’s be honest. Anything can be harmful, especially when filtered through a sinful nature. Even Scripture has been used to justify slavery and the subjugation of women. Challenging works of fiction such as The Hunger Games trilogy are not dangerous in and of themselves. In fact, all genre fiction reinforces traditional moral structure.
The values of friendship, loyalty, courage, and honesty play as central a role in these darker works as they do in the Little House on the Prairie or Anne of Green Gables series. That stories have a beginning, middle, and end conserves our ideals about the nature of time and experience. That actions have consequences underscores our moral sense of causality. That fidelity to one’s family and friends binds communities to a common good and purpose establishes and perpetuates our attachments to one another. That the hero or heroine ventures out on a quest or mission that tests and challenges these ethical ties and moral verities highlights the strengths of these virtues rather than revealing the weaknesses. In fact, the uncovered weaknesses are perversions of these values.
The adults in these works often are portrayed as clueless, cruel, or well-meaning but ineffectual characters. The youthful heroines and heroes must confront and battle alone the forces of evil. Some fear that these portrayals undermine young peoples’ respect for their elders, but I disagree. First, all stories are told from a particular character’s perspective. Second, as Bruno Bettelheim argues in The Uses of Enchantment, his work on the import of fairy tales, young people confront a frightening and dizzyingly complicated world with odds stacked against them. Adults have access to the resources necessary for life, and are not surprised when tomorrow follows today. These works tell young people that they can confront seemingly insurmountable obstacles and not only survive, but also prevail through courage, cunning, perseverance, and friendship.
Why are such works attracting a large readership now? Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, we all feared nuclear annihilation and the disintegration of civilization. Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove seemed, for us, a documentary. Walter Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies were not fanciful speculations, but real possibilities. Darker themes in fiction represent responses to deep anxieties permeating a culture. Young people in 2012 must deal with more numerous and often more insidious fears. The literature in question does not perpetuate or exacerbate the anxieties; it helps young people face, engage, and overcome them.
So, what can concerned scholars and parents do? First, we must understand the importance of the larger view. Writing never happens in a vacuum; neither does reading. All reading takes place in the midst of two communities. The first comprises everything created by all of one’s prior reading. The second includes the people around us who, through discussion and interchange, shape our attitudes, opinions, and judgments—friends, family, and classmates. This conversation is crucial, and the point at which adults can make a difference. If we take Ephesians 6:4 seriously, we will listen to our children and students with respect, patience, understanding, and generosity, and will be sympathetic toward their efforts to understand and engage their world.
Through this conversation, we build the capacity in the young to make moral decisions by themselves and for themselves. It’s not what young people read, but what they do with what they read, that counts. Our interchanges with our children and students enable us to help frame the conversation and contribute to the learning that follows. By engaging with them, even reading the books they read and seeing the movies that shape them, we immunize them against dangers that we may not even perceive and probably cannot understand. Such immunization does not “provoke our children to wrath” but rather promotes understanding and righteousness, and is, therefore, far superior to quarantine.
Azusa Pacific University earned a position on the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. APU stands as 1 of only 29 California schools selected for this distinction.
“This achievement affirms the ways in which service-learning and civic engagement, both locally and globally, fulfill APU’s mission as our students live out our God First legacy,” said Judy Hutchinson, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Academic Service-Learning and Research. “With more than 3,000 APU students engaged in academic service-learning, we link the university with the community in mutually beneficial ways, and build positive, reciprocal relationships between APU and the local private and public sectors,” said Hutchinson.
Working with 100 community partners through 145 courses that intentionally integrate service into the curricula, APU delivers more than 50 service-learning programs. These include College-Headed and Mighty Proud (C.H.A.M.P.), celebrating its 20th anniversary of introducing the idea of college to 700 fourth graders from six local elementary schools each year. In addition, Azusa Reads, Azusa Writes, Azusa Counts, and Azusa Calculates offer free weekly tutoring with APU students assisting nearly 300 youth annually. Furthermore, the Neighborhood Wellness Center, staffed with APU nursing students and faculty, provides no-cost health services to more than 2,000 annual visitors.
Alongside local efforts, APU impacts the global community through international outreach, with more than two dozen mission teams commissioned through the Office of World Missions and the community engagement course featured in the South Africa Semester.
After being confined to the island of Dalian, under tight security and seclusion, Bryan Clay and his coaches arrived in Beijing on Saturday, August 16, and were immediately encouraged as they discovered their housing was a short walk to the Bird’s Nest.
Soon after arriving in Beijing, Bryan and his coaches Kevin Reid, Mike Barnett, Paul Doyle, and Rana Reider got about the business of touring the city, the Olympic Village, and the Great Wall.
“Bryan is doing great in training, staying healthy, and has a great attitude going into this week. We are excited to see how well he will do,” said Reid. “I think it was tough being in Dailan, so removed from the Games, and knowing that we were so close but couldn’t see or taste it.”
“When you really think about it, this is eight year’s in the making, with a quick stop in Athens four years ago,” continued Reid. “Beijing has always been our goal. It’s now here, and time to get it done.”
Imagine it’s 2013. The iPhone 5S was just released and it’s the first model with Touch ID, making it easier for consumers to navigate platforms and make purchases on their mobile devices. Physical format audio sales (mainly CDs) are still higher than revenues for digital streaming services like Spotify, and Alexa is still being perfected at Amazon.
Today’s business degrees are vastly different from when your grandparents were in school, and it’s not your older sibling’s business world, either. A variety of industries have undergone significant changes in the past decade alone, and they don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. So, how can you prepare to meet modern business demands?
Factors Driving the Pace of Change
The world was already experiencing major transformations a decade ago. But recent events and innovations have continued to push the limits of what’s possible, including:
The Growth of Artificial Intelligence
Key business tasks are more automated than ever, and businesses in a variety of industries are continuing to evaluate areas where they can leverage AI to optimize processes and save time. But, contrary to popular belief, those changes aren’t necessarily leading to fewer jobs—just different ones.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic changed how people work, driving a larger portion of the workforce to remote and hybrid positions. In addition, supply chain issues that began with the pandemic sparked conversations about manufacturing processes and supply and demand, and even more people turned to online shopping and delivery services.
Increased Reliance on Data
In 2010, the total amount of data created, copied, captured, and consumed was 2 zettabytes (1 zettabyte equals 1 trillion gigabytes). By 2023, that number is expected to grow to 120 zettabytes. Business decisions have been data-driven in the past, but they’ve never had so much data to work with. This is fundamentally changing how businesses work.
Business innovation has been in overdrive to keep pace with these changes in recent years. Not only has that shifted how companies operate, but it’s changing who they hire (and the business degrees they’re looking for). Here are some of the most current, in-demand careers in business:
Data Scientists
Data scientists analyze and interpret data to provide businesses with actionable opportunities and insights. Between 2021 and 2031, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the need for data scientists to climb 36 percent.
Medical Services Managers
Health care is in high demand, and roles in the industry are expected to keep growing. In particular, medical and health services managers, who run the business side of medical facilities, are expected to rise 28 percent between 2021 and 2031.
Logisticians
Another fast-growing field, logisticians help coordinate an organization’s supply chain. The BLS anticipates this role to grow 28 percent between 2021 and 2023 as well.
How APU Can Set You Up for Success
To help prepare students to succeed in today’s quickly evolving business world, Azusa Pacific University has added three new undergraduate business degree programs and offers business microcredentials.
Business Analytics
Designed for students who want to help businesses better use data to reach their goals, the Business Analytics program focuses on the practical skills needed to meet modern business demands.
Digital Marketing and Design
The Digital Marketing and Design program prepares students who want to leverage their creativity to help businesses engage digital consumers.
Human Resources and Organizational Development
Yet another rapidly expanding field, the Human Resources and Organizational Development program prepares students for careers in human resources so they can help businesses find, resource, train, and manage a new generation of employees.
Business Microcredentials
Keeping up with the business world also means continuing to invest in yourself. That’s why APU offers a number of business microcredentials to give you the tools you need to stand out in your field. To learn more, check out the list of available business microcredentials and start dreaming bigger.
Selecting a university to attend is similar to buying a home when considering the important factor of location. Although academics, campus atmosphere, and size are important components, the university’s location is essential to consider when deciding on a college.
Azusa Pacific University, located in LA County next to the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley has much to offer students. From unique local businesses to hiking trails to activities throughout Southern California, APU has all a college student could ask for and more.
Below are just a few of the many activities and experiences available within a quick drive from APU.
The Donut Man in Glendora
The Donut Man is a go-to for those who want a late-night sugar rush. Open 24/7 and located on the historic Route 66, Donut Man is a local classic for APU students. The shop is famous for its fresh strawberry donuts, which have been featured on The Food Network, The Cooking Channel, and the LA Times. According to their website, each “donut is made by hand, on site, and every day,” giving each pastry a unique shape. The Donut Man was also featured in season two of the popular Netflix series “You.”
If you want even more of an adventure than donuts at 3 a.m., check out Donut Man’s location in downtown LA’s Grand Central Market, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This location opened in March 2020. Given the shop’s rich history on Route 66 in Glendora, the company wanted to keep with tradition and open in another renowned location. As stated on their website, “Anyone can build a state of the art kitchen and put a name on it, but very few have the privilege to be a part of such a historical landmark that is Grand Central Market.”
Local Coffee Shops
No college town is complete without a few coffee shops. Thankfully, Azusa and its neighboring cities have plenty to offer. A favorite of students is Mantra Coffee Company. Not only is Mantra cozy and quaint, it’s open until 10 p.m., making it the perfect study spot for students.
Classic Coffee is another popular shop near APU’s campus. Located in charming downtown Glendora, it makes for the perfect spot to meet up with a friend and catch up on life.
Located in downtown Azusa, Pressed + Flower is another coffee shop that provides its guests with a variety of pastries, unique drinks, sandwiches, and even cereal. Floral, bright, and colorful, the shop also sells clothing, so students can thrift while sipping on their favorite latte!
Glendora Mountain Road & Hiking
Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) is only a 10-minute drive from APU’s campus, providing students with majestic views of the city and mountains. With several spots to pull over, it’s a great place to watch the sunset with friends. There are also a multitude of hikes available for students off of or near GMR.
One hike in particular that students enjoy and is close to campus is the Open Door Trail, more commonly referred to as the “cross hike.” Located on the foothill just north of APU’s campus with a large, white cross at the top, this hike is the perfect mix of accessible yet challenging. At the top, students can enjoy views of campus and neighboring cities all the way to downtown Los Angeles.
One of Southern California’s most prominent features are the spectacular beaches along the coast. Although APU is situated near the foothills, it’s also close to several beaches. A few popular spots include Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, each of which are about a one-hour drive. World-famous Malibu is about an hour and 15 minutes away.
While there, students can swim, surf, read, shop local boutiques, or simply soak up the sun.
Old Town Pasadena
Old Town is a historic part of Pasadena full of clothing stores, coffee shops, and various restaurants. Whether students want a change of scenery to finish homework, a nice night out, or are in need of some new clothes, Old Town is sure to have something for everyone.
While getting to Old-Town Pasasdena is easy enough by car (a 25-minute drive from APU’s campus), students can also take the metro there! Located just north of east campus, the metro’s gold-line takes students all the way to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. For Old Town Pasadena, however, students can get off at Memorial Park and walk from there to explore all Old Town has to offer.
LA Tourist Attractions — Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, & Hollywood Sign
Los Angeles is full of fun tourist spots for students to visit on weekends or holidays. The Hollywood neighborhood is home to the TCL Chinese Theatre, the star-studded Walk of Fame, and several historic music venues like the Dolby Theatre and Hollywood Bowl.
There’s also the Santa Monica Pier, which has numerous rides, including a ferris wheel, games, and plenty of food options. Access to the pier is free, with additional activities, such as the aquarium, charging an entrance fee.
Last but not least is the Griffith Observatory. Not only does this observatory provide wonderful views of LA and the iconic Hollywood Sign, it’s also a wonderful place to observe the stars, visit exhibits and the planetarium, and watch shows. While many activities at the observatory are free, some require the purchase of tickets.
Theme Parks
California is home to several top theme parks, including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Each of these parks, with their distinct rides, themes, and locations, provide students with unique experiences. They are a fun, adventurous way for students to spend a holiday break or a day off.
Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are both located in Anaheim, about 30 minutes away. Universal Studios, located north of Los Angeles, is the same distance, and Six Flags, located in Santa Clarita, is an hour away. While tourists come from all over the country to visit these theme parks, APU students have access to them all the time.
Arts & Culture
There are many arts and cultural experiences APU students can experience throughout Southern California. Notable museums include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty Center, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
The Huntington Library is a must see. Not to be confused with Huntington Beach, the Huntington Library is a three-in-one arts and culture experience with botanical gardens, a research library, and museums featuring American, British, European, and Asian art. Located in Pasadena, it’s about a 25-minute drive from APU’s campus with day passes for $21 on weekdays and $24 on weekends. Memberships and college cards are available for purchase as well.
Film Tapings (Jimmy Kimmel, America’s Got Talent)
As home to Hollywood and all things entertainment, Southern California is the perfect place to see live tapings of your favorite talk shows or talent competitions, such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, America’s Got Talent, Conan, and more.
Tapings are a fun way to see celebrities in person while in tinsel town. Most tapings take place in Burbank or Los Angeles and are free to attend as long as you book tickets in advance.
MLB, NBA, NFL, & NHL Games
Southern California is the home of many notable sports teams, including the Rams, Dodgers, Kings, Lakers, Ducks, and Angels. If sports fans ever want to see their favorite teams in person, they can attend games at Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, the Staples Center, the Honda Center, and more.
Southern California has much to offer APU students. With its vast array of entertainment, sports, restaurants and cafes, arts and culture, natural beauty, and more, APU’s location has something for everyone.
As people continue to seek freelance jobs and side hustles, the gig economy is bustling. Not only are more people embracing contract or project-based employment, but more employers are seeking out this type of work. According to Zippia, more than 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies report using freelance talent. No matter your career goals, here’s how you could benefit from the gig economy.
What Is Gig Work?
Gig work can take different forms and may be referred to in a variety of ways. For example, it can involve “side hustles,” such as ridesharing and food delivery, which often supplement your income outside of a primary job. It can also include expert freelancing and professional contract services, such as web design, copywriting, and public relations consulting. Basically, gig work is an umbrella term for working as an individual contractor, even if you report to a company or client, often on a temporary or flexible basis.
Pros of Freelance Jobs
Working in the gig economy has plenty of advantages. As your own boss, you can choose which clients you work with and what hours you work. Your client might have some say in how you approach a project or how much you get paid, but ultimately, you don’t have to commit to set hours since you’re not considered a full-time employee.
This flexibility allows you to set your own schedule and work around other commitments, such as caring for a family member or pursuing your degree. Additionally, you might be able to earn a higher per-hour income than a traditional employee if you specialize in a certain field.
Cons of Freelance Jobs
While working for yourself has many perks, it can also have a few downsides. You won’t receive the same benefits as traditional employees, including health insurance and paid vacation or sick days. It’s also up to you to maintain a steady flow of income, which can be challenging when you work on a per-project basis. Many individual contractors experience busy, high-earning seasons and slow, low-income seasons.
Whether you want to pursue gig work for a season or a decade, a few keys to success can help you thrive no matter what skills you bring to the table.
Grow Your Network
If you rely on a consistent stream of projects for your primary source of income, make networking a priority. Having a strong network of employers who are willing to work with you or speak to your performance will help you find jobs in the slower seasons. These individual connections can help you stand out among overcrowded job boards.
Sharpen Your Time Management Skills
No matter your field, clients want high-quality work that fits in their budget. But when they’re juggling many different sources of freelance talent, they also want a person they can count on. One of the best ways to outshine the competition is to be consistently reliable. This means developing good time management skills so you always submit projects by—or before—the deadline.
Take Initiative
Don’t wait for your client to come to you with a problem that needs solving. Instead, identify challenges and surface them with a proposed solution to help secure more work for yourself. For example, say you’re a freelance writer working on an article about taxes. As you’re doing your research, you notice the company’s blog has several outdated articles on the same subject. When you deliver your assigned piece, flag this observation and offer to update the older articles to keep them current. Not only might this lead to another job, but it will also demonstrate your value.
How Azusa Pacific University Can Help You Thrive
APU offers a number of programs that can help students and recent graduates succeed as freelancers. For instance, APU offers courses in entrepreneurship as well as specific gig economy skills, like a certificate in Digital Marketing and Social Media. Additionally, the Center for Career and Community-Engaged Learning provides assistance with resume writing and interviewing skills—both of which are essential for landing freelance clients. APU’s extensive alumni network can also provide valuable resources and connections at any point in your freelancing career.
Pursuing a nursing degree is a rewarding education path for many students. A nursing career provides opportunities to serve others and offers job stability and a competitive salary. What you may not realize, though, is that this degree can open up a plethora of career possibilities. Depending on which degree you choose, you may go on to work in various roles, including administration, education, and public services.
By knowing your options and being strategic with your academic path, you can personalize your skill set to prepare for a career in your chosen field. Here are some of the nursing pathways to consider.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is what most students picture when they think of going to nursing school. This traditional four-year program is designed for recent high school graduates and prepares students to provide holistic health care in many different environments. As part of the curriculum, BSN students participate in clinical experiences that offer hands-on educational opportunities at research centers, hospitals, community centers, and more. While the BSN is a traditional pathway, it’s by no means limiting. Graduates go on to have careers in oncology, public health, the mission field, and the military, to name a few.
Nontraditional Students
Azusa Pacific University offers nontraditional students pathways toward a BSN. Both the RN (registered nurse) to BSN and LVN (licensed vocational nurse) to BSN programs allow currently working nurses to advance their nursing careers and gain experience in organizational and managerial roles, setting them up for leadership positions in the healthcare field. The RN to BSN also allows students to pursue their nursing degree online.
Transfer students can choose between the BS in Nursing Transfer program (which allows students to transfer coursework and complete their BSN in six consecutive semesters) or the Bridge to BSN program (designed for Associate’s Degree in Nursing students to get an early start on BSN coursework). The latter option also allows students to pursue their nursing degree online.
Graduate Nursing Education Pathways
If you want to attain a higher level of leadership within the nursing field or add a layer of expertise to your resume, APU offers several graduate nursing programs that cater to distinct career goals.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
APU’s nationally accredited MSN program equips students to practice in specialized areas of clinical nursing. With a strong compounded understanding of theory, research, and professional development, MSN students are prepared for advanced practice roles, such as family or pediatric nurse practitioners, school nurses, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
Similar to APU’s other programs, the MSN pathway includes an array of supplemental specialty tracks to better cater to your nursing career goals, including:
MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership (with an online option)
MSN in Nursing Education (with an online option)
MSN with Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
MSN with Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties
MSN with School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC)
MSN with SNSC and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty
MSN with SNSC and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Specialty
Entry-Level Master’s in Nursing (ELM)
APU’s ELM program gives students with a baccalaureate degree or higher in other disciplines the opportunity to pursue nursing careers. ELM students participate in rigorous studies to prepare them for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. They select a clinical specialty and earn an MSN degree upon successfully completing the program.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP focuses on evidence-based practice and organizational analysis, equipping students with the knowledge and experience to improve care systems. This online program features a low-residency format to accommodate nursing leaders’ work schedules. Students periodically attend intensives over one or two days at APU’s Monrovia Regional Site, opening doors to learn from and connect with others students from diverse backgrounds.
APU also offers a BSN to DNP program for RNs with a BSN to enter directly into the DNP program without having to first receive an MSN.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
APU’s PhD in Nursing is a research-based program with an emphasis on developing and testing theoretical knowledge to advance the nursing field and improve health outcomes. This program equips students seeking a career in education, government, or health care with the knowledge they need to strengthen nursing education, research, and public health policy.
The PhD in Nursing includes the option to add a concentration in Health of the Family and the Community, International Health, or Nursing Education.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
This graduate program isn’t a nursing degree per se, but it’s closely related to the nursing career path. Pursuing an MPH is an excellent opportunity to improve overall community wellness.
MS in Healthcare Administration
The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a steady increase in healthcare administration jobs over the coming years. This broadly applicable degree is ideal for nursing students with a baccalaureate degree to nuance their education and focus their leadership and management skills within the realm of health care. Graduates go on to become clinic directors, patient safety specialists, nurse navigators, and more.
Focus Your Expertise with Non-Degree Certifications
In many cases, practicing nurses may want to further their education without pursuing a nursing degree. If this sounds like you, APU offers certificate programs designed to advance your career through specialized coursework. Some examples include the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate and the Post-Master’s Certificate in Healthcare Administration and Leadership.
Whichever career path you’re pursuing, APU’s nationally ranked School of Nursing offers opportunities to specialize your education and set yourself up for success. To learn more about available nursing degree programs, contact the School of Nursing.
You’re graduating from college—congratulations! Having that degree or certificate in hand can position you to land a job in your field and grow your skills even further. But as you shift your focus to the professional world, the competition can seem overwhelming. Understanding how to write a cover letter that showcases your skills and background can help you stand out.
When you’re applying for jobs, don’t skip this crucial step. Companies use cover letters to assess which candidates might be the best fit, and some hiring managers won’t even consider applicants who don’t include them. A good cover letter demonstrates that you’ve done your research, your skills match the open position, and you pay attention to details.
When it comes to how to write a cover letter for a job, keep these tips in mind.
1. Do Your Research
Your cover letter should emphasize why you want to work for the company you’re applying for—not just any company. That means you need to know what the company’s all about. Spend some time on its corporate website. Get a feel for whether the company’s a buttoned-up Fortune 500 firm or a small start-up. Read its About Us page, blog, and social media feeds, and search for recent news about the company online. This will help you understand its values and goals and better communicate why you’re passionate about the position.
2. Read the Job Description Thoroughly
Job descriptions are a valuable resource when writing a winning cover letter. Since they typically outline precisely what the company is looking for in a candidate, you can highlight relevant skills in your cover letter to emphasize how and why you’re well equipped for the job.
Pay attention to anything mentioned multiple times in the job description—the company is telling you those skills are important. Also, focus on how your skills correspond with the first requirements listed since companies usually put their key priorities at the top of the list.
Writing a cover letter can feel intimidating, especially if you really want to land the job. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be long. In fact, your cover letter shouldn’t be more than a page. Aim to make your points in three to four paragraphs using the following framework:
First Paragraph
Introduce yourself with a little bit of your background. Mention the position you’re interested in, your degree, and the school you attended. Include a sentence or two about why you’re interested in this job in particular. If you have a connection to the company—for example, if an employee recommended you apply or you spoke with a recruiter at a job fair—mention it.
Second and Third Paragraphs
Here’s where your research on the company and your close attention to the job description come into play. Outline how your skills align with those listed in the job description. Share an example of work you’ve done or a problem you’ve solved that demonstrates your abilities. If the job description highlights collaboration and cooperation, for instance, provide an example from another job or from group projects or activities. Emphasize how you can help the team, rather than how the job would benefit you.
Fourth Paragraph
In the final paragraph, reiterate your enthusiasm for the company and the position. State that you plan to follow up via email or that you look forward to scheduling an interview and thank them for their consideration.
4. Check Your Spelling and Grammar
Run your software’s spelling and grammar check, proofread your letter, and have a friend or advisor read it over for you to catch anything you missed. Sloppy mistakes can indicate a lack of effort, which might mean getting skipped over for a job even if you’re the perfect candidate otherwise.
5. Customize Your Cover Letter
It’s okay to use a template for the general structure of your cover letter, but write a personalized letter for every job. If you repurpose parts of a previous cover letter for a similar position, be careful not to carry over any information specific to that company, such as its name, history, or mission statement.
6. Connect with Support
You don’t have to tackle your cover letters on your own. Azusa Pacific University’s Center for Career and Community-Engaged Learning can help you identify what to include and how to highlight your strengths. Once you feel confident about what you want to communicate, the Writing Center can help your sentences shine.
During 23 years of teaching in Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Physical Therapy, Michael Wong, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, has poured into the lives of thousands of students, training them to become great clinicians. Wong recently received the James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Award from the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy as one of the top PT professors in the country. “I was excited, humbled, and honored to receive this recognition,” he said. “But the truly special part was seeing my family, students, alumni, and colleagues who have shared in this journey with me and came to the conference in San Diego to support me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
When Wong started at APU, his first class had 12 students. Today, the DPT program has cohorts of 74. “It’s been wonderful to see our program grow. Our students and the program are very well respected in Southern California,” he said. The DPT faculty interview each student and make sure they’re a good fit for the program. “What that creates for the classroom is a really motivated, bright, people-centric group of students who are eager to learn. You can’t beat that in teaching,” Wong said. “Uniquely at APU, you have a real focus on great people at the root. It’s the soil that you’re working with in order to grow this young clinician and craft their mind into becoming a great physical therapist.”
In addition to teaching, Wong is a residency and fellowship trained orthopedic clinical specialist. He is also the author of Pocket Orthopaedics: Evidence Based Survival Guide. “I’ve always thought of how to aggregate information to make it easier for clinicians to access the information to make better decisions. I had been making these laminated reference sheets and selling them to schools because there was a need,” he said. Wong was approached by a publisher and put together his first book. “But even with my own textbook and 10 years of teaching under my belt, I realized there were major holes that needed filling. That’s what led us to build PhysioU.”
PhysioU is a software platform with many web apps that assist Wong and other physical therapy professors in their instruction. Because the subject matter is very intricate, it’s taught in a sequential system, but that can present challenges for students. “The students were only able to see a narrow amount of material at a time. We began using a web-based platform to develop complex connections between content they’re learning currently, what they’ve learned previously, and content they have yet to learn,” he said. “We want to build a much more complex clinician who has access to all the material they need to succeed, not just what is being taught in that moment.” Wong and his colleagues created a suite of content which is useful across the entire physical therapy curriculum—everything from orthopedics to cardiopulmonary rehab and neurologic rehabilitation. In 2020, the pandemic led physical therapy programs across the country to begin using the app to support virtual student learning.
Wong also speaks frequently at large physical therapy conferences across the country alongside several notable professionals including Drew Morcos, the PT for the Lakers, and perhaps the most well known PT in the world, Stefania Bell, the injury analyst for ESPN. “Part of my joy in presenting is that I love pulling together great works from researchers and turning it into something that’s easy for people to learn and transform how they practice. We take those opportunities on the platform to teach our own peers very seriously. All of it helps to put APU’s DPT program on the map.”
Reflecting on the award and his time at APU, Wong said he feels extremely grateful to work with a number of talented and respected professors. “As much as this award is in my name, really it is just a representation of a special place where I’ve been able to grow and learn and work together with amazing people,” he said. “APU is one of the great programs. It’s a special place where we can do this good work. We produce some of the best physical therapists in the country.” Wong is excited to see this year’s cohort walk across the commencement stage and graduate from the program equipped to become difference makers in the world. He’s even more excited to see the next cohort enter APU and spend the next three years with them. “It’s truly a joy to be able to help transform students’ lives,” he said. “It’s never been a day of work for me in these last 23 years.”
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