Work Experience
I've had a lot of odd jobs here and there over the past couple of years. So far, most of my jobs have just been part time deals to help pay for my tuition, and they haven't had a lot of direct experience in my area of study. Still, every place I've worked at has given me valuable lessons that apply to my life.
I like to say that my first job was working for my grandmother as a live-in caretaker. It only lasted for a month, but during that time I was responsible for her health and safety. I measured and administered her medication, made meals, and provided transportation to her doctor appointments. Looking after someone's well-being was a very serious matter, and it taught me a great deal about responsibility in jobs.
My first official job was working for a company called SCIS Air Security. My job was to search and secure aircraft equipment. Just like working for my grandmother, it was a job that required a lot of professional responsibility. I also had to work with coworkers from about half a dozen different countries. Nobody spoke perfect English, and the fact that everybody had different accents made communication incredibly difficult. Above all else, I learned how to be patient when I worked for SCIS. I also learned how to communicate in an adverse, fast-paced work environment.
During my sophomore year at Virginia Tech, I worked for the Calling Center. There, I got in touch with both alumni and the parents of current students to keep them up to date on current events at the school. I also collected contributions to various Virginia Tech funds and scholarships. This job was challenging in a very unique way, because I had to establish a personal rapport with people I had never met in under a minute over the phone. Most of the time, the people I called didn't want to talk with student callers, and I had to persevere through disinterest and hostility. This only tempered my patience and my communication skills in new ways.
Now, I am ready to apply all of the skills that I've gained over the years to a more professional job that is in line with my academic studies.
I like to say that my first job was working for my grandmother as a live-in caretaker. It only lasted for a month, but during that time I was responsible for her health and safety. I measured and administered her medication, made meals, and provided transportation to her doctor appointments. Looking after someone's well-being was a very serious matter, and it taught me a great deal about responsibility in jobs.
My first official job was working for a company called SCIS Air Security. My job was to search and secure aircraft equipment. Just like working for my grandmother, it was a job that required a lot of professional responsibility. I also had to work with coworkers from about half a dozen different countries. Nobody spoke perfect English, and the fact that everybody had different accents made communication incredibly difficult. Above all else, I learned how to be patient when I worked for SCIS. I also learned how to communicate in an adverse, fast-paced work environment.
During my sophomore year at Virginia Tech, I worked for the Calling Center. There, I got in touch with both alumni and the parents of current students to keep them up to date on current events at the school. I also collected contributions to various Virginia Tech funds and scholarships. This job was challenging in a very unique way, because I had to establish a personal rapport with people I had never met in under a minute over the phone. Most of the time, the people I called didn't want to talk with student callers, and I had to persevere through disinterest and hostility. This only tempered my patience and my communication skills in new ways.
Now, I am ready to apply all of the skills that I've gained over the years to a more professional job that is in line with my academic studies.