I want to be more informed about visual communication decisions, to be able to assert to myself why something worked and to identify the details that would have made it stronger. I want my work to be more professional and engaging. I want to be a better problem solver, a visual problem solver. I want to be a better creator– innovative and aware – to know precisely how off-beat is on-target.
This position involved the maintenance and upgrade of all office systems for two businesses in the same building. I put into place new programs to track and help control profitability and company spending. I functioned as the contact for vendors, employees, and customers; duties included: payroll, invoicing, data entry, hiring, training, office organization, meeting direction. During my tenure AIS moved from disorganization to ISO compliance and AAF went from red to black.
I managed a team of 20-30 associates and was involved with all aspects of running the 25,000 square foot store. Responsibilities included: daily sales reporting, cash handling, hiring and training of associates, creating daily task lists for shifts, weekly scheduling and payroll, preparing store for audit and inventories, loss prevention, and customer service. I was in charge of a store which typically merchandises $500,000 worth of inventory and averages almost a million dollars in annual sales. This experience will help me in any position as it has prepared me for a fast paced environment where the details matter most.
As a manger in a small imports boutique I was responsible for invoicing, ordering, pricing, merchandising, and general bookkeeping. I worked one-on-one with clients to ensure the best possible experience. I became a better salesman and learned different methods to approach a variety of consumers. What began as a part-time sales position in a family business turned into the role of direct assistant to the owner. I was entrusted with the daily running of the store and provided input on most business decisions.
At St. John’s, I studied original texts in the history of western thought, including many works in their written Greek and French. I developed strong analytical skills and the ability to look at things from different points of view. Discussion based classes helped me to develop stronger communication skills and the rigorous course of study has fostered an ability to apply myself to several difficult problems at once. I believe my education helps me to better understand, interpret, and interact with the world around me.