PERSONAL INTERESTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
COMPUTERS & INTERNET
I'm young enough to say that I grew up using the computer. (Sorry) I bring that point up because it's the reason why I'm so comfortable with using computers. I can remember playing games in DOS in elementary school, using America Online with our 14.4 speed modem, and of course making web pages when I was in middle school. I've always been fascinated by computers and especially the Internet. I'm familiar with many computer applications and I'm very quick to learn new ones. In school, I frequently used Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. While working in a cell phone retail store, I became an expert with using our POS system (GERS). While running my online business, I constantly use applications like Microsoft Explorer, Microsoft Outlook, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, FTP, and Quicken. In general, I'm extremely comfortable using any Windows applications, which has helped me in many situations.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
I began video production in my senior year of high school. Inspired by a video yearbook that one of my older sister's classmates created for their class four years earlier, I volunteered to create a video yearbook for my senior class. This was a huge project. I took my video camera almost everywhere I went - to class, to games, to dances, everywhere! What I put together was a 2 hour video that consisted of classmate interviews, highlights of every varsity sport, and other footage taken in school and at special events, all synchornized to popular music of that year. I did the entire project for free and I still occasionally hear from classmates who tell me how great it is that I captured all of those memories. While in college, I created a short movie for a digital media course, I was hired to do two wedding videos, and I continue to enjoy shooting & editing videos today. For editing, I've used a Casablanca AVIO system, Pinnacle Studio in Windows, and iMovie in Macintosh.
HEALTH & FITNESS
I apply the same passion & determination that has helped me to succeed in school and at work toward staying in excellent health. After gaining weight in my first year at college, I was determined to get back into shape. I went through my pile of old unread fitness magazines and put together a diet and workout routine to follow. Within a few months, I had returned to my original weight. However, that wasn’t enough. I gave myself the mission to reach my full potential. I went on to lose 30 lbs within one year. That drive still exists in me today as I eat very healthy and workout five days a week. I have read several health books and I also enjoy helping others who come to me for advice. After my father saw my transformation, he wanted to get in shape too, and I helped him to get into the best shape of his life. I also enjoy writing articles about health & fitness that people can read for free on one of my web sites.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
In order to be as succesful as I want to be in business, I need to have the best interpersonal skills possible. I want to be comfortable talking to people and I want people to be comfortable talking to me. Building relationships is crucial for success in the business world – particularly in sales and management. I've taken the following steps to improve upon my communication skills.
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I have taken two public speaking courses in college. In each course, I became more comfortable in front of people, learned many valuable techniques in public speaking, and I earned an “A” in both courses. Additionally, I have made many oral presentations in other classes, including a few presentations that I had to make entirely in Spanish.
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I worked at a cell phone retailer’s kiosk in the middle of the mall where one of the job responsibilities was to “greet” every prospect that walked by our kiosk – which was everybody. Intimidating at first but I learned to become very comfortable with it.
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I participated in a student exchange program in which I attended the University of South Carolina. I had to “start over” in a city by myself where I didn’t know anybody. It was a great experience for me and I couldn’t be more happy for doing it.
