Graduate Student Services
Sample Letter
to DukeConnect Career Advisor
Dear Dr. ______________,
During a recent conversation at the Duke Career Center with Assistant Director for
Graduate Students Dr. Virginia Steinmetz I learned that you are a DukeConnect volunteer willing to offer career-related advice to students and Duke alumni. Thank you for hearing me out.
I am a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Economics writing a dissertation in military economics on the valuation of land associated with military base closures. I’ve seen your 2005 article on base closures among the RAND online publications. I’m using a similar methodology to analyze base capacity, military value, and evaluate the DoD’s scenario analysis. After I complete my last two chapters, I would welcome a chance to talk to you about your research.
When I finish my doctorate, I have several options for using my teaching and research skills: to apply for a postdoc or faculty position, continue in military economic research for the public sector, or move into economic consulting in DC. I would like to quiz you about your career at RAND so that I can begin to narrow my search for employment opportunities.
I will be visiting Pittsburgh the week of June 10 for the wedding of one of my undergraduate housemates. I will call you in a few days to arrange a brief chat with you at RAND or perhaps meet you near your office for coffee during that week. I would be very interested in exploring the possibility of doing a research internship at RAND next summer.
Cordially,
Gillian Parks
gp@econ.duke.edu
P.S. Your dissertation advisor, Prof _______________ , is a member of my committee. He sends his greetings and hopes to see you for an update during the next AEA meeting.
to DukeConnect Career Advisor
Dear Dr. ______________,
During a recent conversation at the Duke Career Center with Assistant Director for
Graduate Students Dr. Virginia Steinmetz I learned that you are a DukeConnect volunteer willing to offer career-related advice to students and Duke alumni. Thank you for hearing me out.
I am a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Economics writing a dissertation in military economics on the valuation of land associated with military base closures. I’ve seen your 2005 article on base closures among the RAND online publications. I’m using a similar methodology to analyze base capacity, military value, and evaluate the DoD’s scenario analysis. After I complete my last two chapters, I would welcome a chance to talk to you about your research.
When I finish my doctorate, I have several options for using my teaching and research skills: to apply for a postdoc or faculty position, continue in military economic research for the public sector, or move into economic consulting in DC. I would like to quiz you about your career at RAND so that I can begin to narrow my search for employment opportunities.
I will be visiting Pittsburgh the week of June 10 for the wedding of one of my undergraduate housemates. I will call you in a few days to arrange a brief chat with you at RAND or perhaps meet you near your office for coffee during that week. I would be very interested in exploring the possibility of doing a research internship at RAND next summer.
Cordially,
Gillian Parks
gp@econ.duke.edu
P.S. Your dissertation advisor, Prof _______________ , is a member of my committee. He sends his greetings and hopes to see you for an update during the next AEA meeting.