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Careers, Employability and
Enterprise Centre
The Palatine Centre
Durham University
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
24th
July, 2015
To whom it may concern,
RE: Ana-Maria Costea
During her time as an undergraduate Psychology student here at Durham University, Ana-Maria has
worked with us in a range of categories (part time), and has made regular, varied and valued
contributions to our work. Her roles have included: Psychology Workplace Module (consultancy
support) (as part of learning programme); Events Assistant (paid) and Destination of Leavers in
Higher Education (DLHE) Telephone Assistant (paid).
I was mostly involved with Ana-Maria’s psychology work placement activity which involved her
working in a consultancy capacity to help our centre to:
 Review current feedback from students regarding CEEC services;
 Investigate and report on student engagement (levels, trends) at subject and department levels,
including consideration of year groups and levels of study;
 Investigate and report on student attitudes, motivation and patterns towards engagement with
CEEC functions;
 Investigate and report on student awareness of CEEC services; and
 Identify areas for potential development in engaging effectively with students.
Ana-Maria’s professional disposition and attitude was consistent and positive throughout the
module, and she carried out her work with respect and consideration. She gained the trust of the
team largely due to her positive and planned approach, and general polite and courteous manner.
Ana-Maria displayed a “can do” and solution focused approach to her work – where a problem or
barrier presented, she considered and presented alternative approaches and solutions, always
checking with the placement supervisor.
The placement activity involved Ana-Maria being actively engaged in communication and liaison
with centre managers, Careers Advisers, and other specialist staff, including our Operations Manager
who has responsibility for data analysis and reporting. Her approach was measured, exploratory and
effective. She delivered presentations and exploration sessions to Careers Advisers, and carried out
qualitative discussions with students from a number of departments.

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Ana-Marie consistently did what was required to help the project succeed, and took an objective
and evidence based approach throughout, showing sensitivity to the organisations and individuals
within. She also took time and care to explain emerging data and metrics in an accessible way.
Ana-Maria’s role as an events assistant over the last two years involved representing the Careers
Centre and university in providing support to high profile graduate recruiters, one of our key
stakeholder groups, and our students. She was a constant, reliable and positive member of the
events team who worked efficiently and effectively on all occasions, requiring minimum supervision
and consistently delivering above and beyond what was expected. She demonstrated a positive
communication style and an innovative approach to problem solving, providing a high level of
support from start to finish, and often beyond. She took time to get to know our exhibitors,
engaging positively with them through the events, and helped students to approach them and make
best use of the opportunity.
As one of our DLHE Telephone Assistants Ana-Maria telephoned course leavers, inviting them to
complete the survey by phone, simultaneously inputting the information given online during the call.
Her confident, pleasant and well organised approach, supported by strong communication skills and
attention to detail, made her a valuable member of this team.
More broadly, Ana-Maria became a positive ambassador for our services and the reputation of the
University. Her cheerful and “can do” attitude meant that we had strong confidence in her work and
in her ability to carry out complex and important functions. I wish her well in her career and am
confident that she will be an asset to future employers
Yours faithfully,
Chris Davison, Deputy Head/Careers Adviser
Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre
chris.davison@durham.ac.uk
Direct Line: +44 (0)191 334 1422
Web site: www.dur.ac.uk/careers
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/careersatdurham
Twitter - https://twitter.com/careersatdurham