Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I have been fascinated by intercultural communication since my senior year in high school when I first went to Germany with my German class. From then on I knew I wanted to study German, which morphed into global studies at Alfred University so I could gain a broader perspective of the world.

Attending the University of Minnesota only deepened the knowledge that I made the right choice. There are so many immigrant communities in Minneapolis and I was very lucky to have the chance to work with a number of African immigrants whom I always learned from. I was able to study abroad in Austria for a year, where I met many great friends and professors, and became fully fluent in German as well as comfortable in my ability to adapt to a foreign culture. Working at Concordia Language Village has been an awesome experience for me because I can cultivate the love of the German language in high school students and help them overcome fears of speaking in spite of making mistakes.

After graduation I taught English in Seoul for 4 months, and while my recruiter may not have accurately represented what I was to do, I gave the job my all and ended up coming home looking for a new opportunity. I learned so much living in Seoul, learning how to get along in a place where I don't speak the language or understand the culture. This was a great learning experience and I loved every moment of it.

Now I'm back and I'm excited to provide students both in the US and those abroad have a great study abroad experience and learn just as much about themselves and the world as I did.

Work History

• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Volunteer
• June 2010 to Present

• I have volunteered both as an attendant at the summer camp helping kids with muscular dystrophy enjoy a camping experience, allowing them to do things that they are not able to do in an every day setting.

  I also have been volunteering in the Syracuse MDA office preparing mailings and any other tasks as needed.

• Concordia Langauge Village
• German counselor
• March 2009 to May 2010

• Spoke German with high school students to provide immersive language experience.
  Condense complicated information into easy-to-understand, engaging, and hands-on activities to help students learn in multiple styles.
  Taught vocabulary through games and fun activities, and answered any language-related questions students may have had.

• Korea Poly School
• English teacher
• October 2009 to Febuary 2010

• Negotiated language and cultural barriers to build relationships with students, parents and school administrators
  Assessed students' progress on a monthly basis to customize a learning program for each student.
  Balanced lesson planning, teaching duties and administrative obligations to meet deadlines.
  Instructed students and taught concepts of learning the English language.

• World Endeavors
• Office Operations Intern
• September 2008 to December 2008

• Performed mail merges to reach new markets.
  Maintained database of student contacts using MS office, updated progress of applicants, added new applicants.
  Upgraded quarterly reporting spreadsheets to easily display vital statistics of applicant and program information, and regularly updated website information.
  Carried out complete office migration from Windows XP to Windows Vista.

• Budget Car Rental
• Customer Service Representative
• May 2007 to August 2007

• Completed tasks efficiently while under pressure.
  Determined customer needs to provide relevant services.
  Learned to rely on team for help as needed.
  Responded quickly and diplomatically to unexpected problems with rental process.

• Budget Car Rental
• Customer Service Representative
• May 2006 to August 2006

• Completed tasks efficiently while under pressure.
  Determined customer needs to provide relevant services.
  Learned to rely on team for help as needed.
  Responded quickly and diplomatically to unexpected problems with rental process.

• Alfred University Career Development Center
• Office Assistant
• September 2004 to May 2006

• Scheduled appointments for clients using MS Office.
  Greeted students and visitors at front desk, answered questions about the center.
  Assisted in organizing of events.
  Performed data entry of confidential student information.

• Alfred University Special Academic Services
• German tutor
• Febuary 2005 to May 2006

• Clarified difficult grammar concepts for lower-level German students and provided feedback on vocabulary and homework assignments.
  Coordinate teaching lessons with professor of German and relay progress to tailor lessons according to the needs of each student.

• Pet Supplies Plus
• Stocker
• August 2003 to August 2004

• Answered questions for customer.
  Assessed customer needs and provided most appropriate product or service.
  Organized store and kept all products stocked on the shelves.
  Cleaned store as needed.
  Provided back-up register support when need.

Education

• University of Minnesota
• BA, Global Studies, Cultural Studies
• 2006 - 2009

• Studied abroad in Graz, Austria for one year.
  Member of Cultural Studies Student Association.

• Alfred University
• German, Global Studies
• 2004 - 2006

• Co-president, International Students & Scholars Organization.