Transforming people's career documents into tangible assets is part of the very rewarding work that I do here at Pathfinder Writing and Career Services. Additionally, one of my passions is getting out to speak to groups and educate them about the keys to success in managing their careers. It's all about empowering people with top-notch documents and the knowledge on how to market oneself!Top Contributions:+++++++++++++* Built business from scratch and widened services to include clients from all industry sectors (except federal/government). * Featured as keynote and session presenter on career topics at 300+ conferences nationally and internationally.* Authored first-ever book detailing how to manage one's career "Forget Job Security: Build Your Marketability" available on Amazon.com* Earned Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW) designation from Career Directors International.* Named on Huffington Post as one of top 100 social human resource experts on Twitter. * Established company reputation for providing sound advice to job seekers through contributions on Careerealism.com (Third-ranked careers blog in the world), CBS MoneyWatch, Forbes.com, HuffingtonPost.com, Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, Chicago Tribune, and Talentzoo.com. * Earned role as trusted career adviser for meetings industry as regular columnist and speaker for Meetings Professional International.* Tapped to step into frequent teaching roles as specialist providing job seekers hands-on advice on how to target their searches and career tools.* Conducted outreach to HR professionals as well as headhunters/recruiters to better understand what they need from candidates' career documents in order to optimize client projects.Dawn Rasmussen: resume writing, interview coaching, social media profiles, job search coaching, cover letters, bios, LinkedIn profiles.

I enjoyed teaching students in the School of Business about how to take their educational career and apply it towards their profession upon graduation. As part-time adjunct faculty, I was on campus twice a year to teach this class and found the students extremely engaged in this career-critical class... however, as a result of increased client load and speaking engagement demands with Pathfinder Writing and Careers, I stepped down from this position.Top Contributions:+++++++++++++* Helped school set up programming geared to deliver current resume writing standards to students preparing to graduate and enter workforce.* Recommended improved textbooks for classroom study that provided better career preparation activities.* Introduced recruiter to classroom presentation to provide more "real-world" application of topics being discussed.* Provided training, coaching, resume writing, job search coaching, and social media profiles.

This position was so amazing - I realized my dream of writing for a magazine and contributed articles about work / life balance for a cutting-edge magazine focused on female entrepreneurs. Albeit short-lived, this magazine had a great following of like-minded women that I enjoyed meeting.Top Contributions:+++++++++++++* Developed articles of interest for readership that focused on career topics.* Ensured all articles were sent to editor on-time to make sure publishing deadlines were met.* Created columns that were focused on writing, career management, entrepreneurship, and business ownership.

As a 15+ year veteran in the hospitality industry, it was an honor to provide industry-specific knowledge as a classroom instructor to students in the Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation program at Mt. Hood Community College. It has been exciting to watch the careers unfold of former students, and provide mentoring / guidance to recent graduates to help them find their way.Top Contributions:+++++++++++++* Mentored students through their degree and provided job connections, counseling, and resume advice to help build tools for job search success.* Took time to sit down with students experiencing difficulty in class to better understand challenges and develop solutions to ensure academic success.* Developed engaging classroom activities and discussions to better facilitate mastery of concepts being presented. * Provided classroom instruction that delivered career and job search coaching as well as career management advice for students to help them succeed within workforce.

(Formerly the Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation)One of my favorite jobs that I've ever had; it was a passion of mine as the state director to help students enrolled in a national school-to-career program be introduced to the endless career possibilities in the hospitality industry. In 5 years, I worked with nearly 13,000 students in 49 high schools across Oregon, and it was a blast to help prepare them to enter the workforce, plan the state high school culinary championship, and work with sponsors / mentors / worksites to give the students concrete skills to kick-start their professions.Top contributions:+++++++++++++* Grew program from 19 schools to 49 participating institutions within 5 years.* Boosted sponsorship levels by developing new fundraising events including working with hospitality industry partners to create unique events such as James Beard event at Martin Hospitality. * Planned annual Oregon State High School Culinary Championship which outgrew location at Western Culinary Institute to major event at Oregon Convention Center.* Captured coverage in every single news outlet in Oregon highlighting students, teachers, chef mentors, and schools participating in state culinary events.* Set up internships for students needing to complete 400 hour paid worksite experience; worked closely with hospitality industry leaders and facilities to ensure students had suitable learning experiences.* Developed two separate teacher training sessions/year that provided direct industry hands-on learning to instructors to boost classroom knowledge and skills.* Provided training to entry level workers on career management, resumes, career planning, interviews, and resume writing.

Working as a destination marketing company with inbound conventions and tours, this job expanded my knowledge about building exciting experiences for attendees, many of whom had never been to Oregon before. Combined with my love of selling this beautiful state, and thirst for knowledge, I was able to uncover many hidden 'nuggets' to share about Oregon for visitors on our tours.Top contributions:+++++++++++++* Helped company survive past financial hit caused by 9/11 by filling sales pipeline with new booked business.* Penetrated previously untapped educational travel markets; developed relationships with affinity, educational, and alumni groups to understand travel interests and needs to help develop interesting and compelling itineraries.* Increased sales with existing customers by developing regular program of contacts to keep company "front-of-mind" for customers interested in booking destination management services.* Wrote itineraries to appeal to prospective clients, and helped travel decision makers by providing exceptional customer service which led to increased sales at local area hotel properties and attractions.

(Formerly the Portland Oregon Visitors Association)Little did I know when I was growing up in rural Wisconsin that I would end up having the ultimate dream job: I got to travel the world while I was promoting Portland and Oregon as a destination to tour operators, travel agents, and travel media. By working in collaboration with other industry partners throughout the state, we were able to boost the city and state's profile with key travel decision makers, and had fun the entire time, even when we had back-to-back client familiarization trips!Top contributions:+++++++++++++* Increased domestic and international sales 120% and achieved a 7:1 return on investment in program activities. * Shouldered additional responsibility handling Japan market during staff vacancy; set up familiarization tours for inbound clients, met with travel trade media, and helped organize and deliver sales presentations in Japan.* Persuaded English equivalent of the Food Network to film in Oregon to highlight regional cuisine following conversation at World Travel Market in London.* Overhauled departmental entire filing system including updating client records, eliminating duplicate files, and automating information into CRM software for better recordkeeping and customer relations.* Raised funds for joint statewide marketing projects by demonstrating value of strategic partnerships with industry allies. * Conducted training programs and sessions to members on industry trends and topics; researched speakers and data to provide hands-on up-to-date information.* Closed sales after developing client-specific marketing pitches; acted as public relations coordinator facilitating media inquiries from international publications and broadcast entities.* Won recognition from the White House and US Dept of Commerce for benchmark "Pathways 2000" tour itineraries highlighting key cultural contributions of Native Americans and Asian people to Oregon's history.