curriculum vitae
So, you're here to learn my story - as from the lens of career. Well, wander no further, here's what I've been up to:Business Analyst, International Trade 2021-11 to present
Junior Policy Analyst 2021-04 to 2021-11
Marketing/Communications/Policy (Casual) Support 2021-01 to 2021-04
I returned to work with Global Affairs Canada with the Free Trade Promotion team. This was a casual contract, cut short only by an offer of indeterminate [non-contract permanent] work elsewhere. I worked among some incredible people, and was able to contribute to quite a few fascinating files:
• Reviewed funding proposals and requests for various initiatives at Regional Offices and Missions abroad.
• Contributed to briefing notes, marketing materials, and internal resources that assisted in the yearly activity planning cycle, such as developing a visual representation of Free Trade Agreement anniversaries throughout a calendar year.
• Additionally, assisted in the development and promotion of materials increasing awareness of FTA opportunities for SMEs nationwide.
Co-op Level 2 2020-05 to 2020-09
A key requirement for finishing the Master of Global Business program was taking action on the personal development through the past year. Our education set us up with key skills and abilities, and it was up to us in this final step to put it to the test and implement it through a co-op term. I worked with a team of highly motivated individuals during a complex time (COVID pandemic). Filled with personal challenges and growth in an entirely remote work term, the Co-op proved to be an incredibly meaningful experience. Some highlights are that I:
• Added value to the public service by researching and analyzing industry trends on CIO-CFO relationships, synthesizing a report with actionable steps to reduce knowledge gaps and overlaps
• Improved interdepartmental coordination with capital projects by developing educational materials on Capital Accounting concepts and policies for general audiences
• Improved office agility by responding rapidly to changing work priorities, supporting an effective response to changing COVID-19 priorities
• Promoted the visual identity and branding of the BC public service by modernizing documents to visual guidelines and requirements
Coordinator 2019-05 to 2019-08
A dream of mine was to work with Global Affairs Canada, having pursued a heavily internationalized education. In 2019, I achieved that goal as I was asked to work with the Indigenous Business Team. Although a shorter term on account of starting my Masters degree, I helped a small, agile team by doing the following:
• Revitalized trade mission documentation and engaged with external stakeholders, supporting the 2019 Canadian delegation to the Inter-tribal Trade Organization Conference
• Supported a team in outreach by engaging with Indigenous Owned businesses, gaining hands-on experience with database management and information entry
• Took lead on the recruitment process for a student position, developing an application tracking system, performing qualitative analysis of applications, and coordinating interviews within strict hiring requirements, resulting in a highly qualified candidate succeeding in the position
• Reimagined the development of a departmental wiki, improving knowledge transfer
• Composed communications for senior, non-politicized positions that were distributed across Global Affairs Canada
HR Planning Officer 2018-05 to 2019-03
This was my first "government" job, and it completely changed my expectations of what the public service was capable of. I worked with the Human Resources Planning team in Spectrum to tackle a host of organizational challenges, resulting in the most rewarding work environment I could have ever have dreamed of. I was wholly supported in bringing new ideas to the table, and given room to ask questions and truly grow as a person. This was my first truly professional experience and will stick with me forever - as I was supported in achieving the following:
• Led the development of 3 special editions of internal communications newsletter by researching trending topics, performing interviews, and composing articles
• Crafted a Leadership Development Curriculum for future public executives, presenting to senior management within 4 months
• Visualized career progression guides for Engineer classifications, highlighting key growth of responsibilities and authority
• Imagined 3 corporate culture strategies with concrete actions to improve workplace cohesiveness and effectiveness
• Improved access to industry best-practices for human resources by developing and maintaining a database of HR research and news
• Promoted internal events by designing 5 digital displays for marketing and communications initiatives
My initial term was for four months, however, my Manager and Director asked me to return via remote work (as I returned to my undergraduate studies) for two additional terms, to which I happily obliged. Within the first four months I was awarded an Instant Merit Award for my contributions to the Governance, Policy, and Planning branch within the sector.
Staff Cadet 2014-06 to 2014-08
For the Summer of 2014, I worked as a staff cadet for the Basic Leadership and Drill course for youth across Western Canada. As a Sergeant, I operated in a strict military environment to fulfill the following:
• Increased self-esteem and leadership capabilities in youth by designing and delivering training on leadership topics, military dress, military drill, and professional deportment
• Ensured compliance to strict standards
• Resolved conflicts effectively and expeditiously, resulting in a strong, cohesive team of 30
Key results is the successful development of youth, leading to both of our intakes winning every award regarding military drill competitions, leadership competitions, and dress competitions (military dress, uniforms, boots, consistency).
Front End Assistant Manager (and various more) 2011-06 to 2014-09
Front End Assistant Manager (2013-10 to 2014-09)
As an Assistant Manager for the front end department, I assisted in leading a cohort of colleagues to fulfilling a common vision of quality customer service and point-of-sale service delivery by ensuring the following:
• Ensured quality by coaching and mentoring service employees in customer service, upselling, and creating and exceeding performance targets
• Ensured smooth operations of the Front-End department by coordinating with other departments, increasing awareness of special promotions, improving the customer experience
Various Positions (2011-06 to 2013-10)
This was my first job and I quickly and enthusiastically took on new responsibilities, progressing from a courtesy clerk to a cashier to self scan to customer service to cash office clerk. These are the highlights:
• Increased revenue by upselling weekly deals at the point-of-sale
• Accurately processed over 1000 transactions per day using a cash register and careful attention to detail
• Accurately tracked and reported on cash-flow and accounting reports, closing and opening the store
Education
Master of Global Business (candidate) 2020
The Master of Global Business program is an innovative and challenging graduate program that sees students learn advanced topics of business in up to four different countries, building the skills and global knowledge required to succeed in a world that is increasingly relying on international stakeholders. Having taken the Taiwan-Austria Path, I developed the skills necessary to work in diverse teams, manage cultural issues, and dive deep into the requirements of effective business decisions across a variety of fields in Asia and Europe. These are a few of the highlights from my time working with an amazing cohort of people:
• Identified market expansion opportunities, including identifying ideal distributors, for a Taiwanese ProAV OEM as part of a diverse team in a class consulting project. Responsible for qualitative analysis of market entry alternatives and final report design and creation
• As part of a diverse, high performing, team, provided recommendations on emerging Leadership Development frameworks to an Austrian MNE as part of a graduate-capstone consulting exercise. Responsible for designing and organizing teamwork and final report design and creation
• Developed a Geopolitical Analysis framework for FOREX trading in a cross-cultural team, resulting in 40%+ annualized returns. Responsible for geopolitical analysis, trading, report design and creation
• Identified strategic business solutions and opportunities for marketing case studies by collecting and analyzing data, discussing and qualifying alternatives with teammates, writing reports, and presenting recommendations
Coursework varied significantly, with challenging topics on International Finance, Supply Chain Management, Consulting and Negotiations, and many more.
Bachelor of Commerce in International Business 2019
The Bachelor of Commerce helped define the foundation for my education, enabling me in developing strong skills in presentation, research, analysis, and writing, among many others. A sharp business acumen was developed through intensive case studies, helping to understand the world around us and to build capacity in responsive decision making. I pursued an Asia-Pacific specialization, meaning I pursued extra studies in Asian politics, history, and two years of Mandarin Chinese. Here are key a few key highlights:
• Analyzed market and industry trends and opportunities for an Edmonton-based Agrifood company as part of an international student exercise
• Succeeded in a business simulation by working in a team to identify business strategy, key decisions, and delegating work to functional specialists as a simulated Electronics OEM
International Exchange; Global Sales and Marketing 2016
In 2016, I pursued an exchange program in Austria, exposing me to a cultural dimension of business and commerce, where I studied with 70+ other international students to solve challenging coursework in logistics, finance, and m
Community and Volunteer
Professional Experience
Business Analyst, International Trade 2021-11 to present
Inclusive Trade Promotion, Global Affairs Canada
Ottawa, ON
I do things.
Junior Policy Analyst 2021-04 to 2021-11
Education, Social Development, Policy, and Programs, Indigenous Services Canada
Gatineau, QC
As of this position, I am now a career public servant. The golden handcuffs are on, as they say. Nevertheless, I received my Indeterminate, and as a result, I currently work with the Self-Governing and Modern Treaty file for The Education and Social Development Partnerships and Programs division. The work is amorphous, and the roles, ever changing. Therefore, no label accurately defines this box I occupy - instead, it is a little bit of everything.
Marketing/Communications/Policy (Casual) Support 2021-01 to 2021-04
Free Trade Promotion, Global Affairs Canada
Ottawa, ON
I returned to work with Global Affairs Canada with the Free Trade Promotion team. This was a casual contract, cut short only by an offer of indeterminate [non-contract permanent] work elsewhere. I worked among some incredible people, and was able to contribute to quite a few fascinating files:• Reviewed funding proposals and requests for various initiatives at Regional Offices and Missions abroad.
• Contributed to briefing notes, marketing materials, and internal resources that assisted in the yearly activity planning cycle, such as developing a visual representation of Free Trade Agreement anniversaries throughout a calendar year.
• Additionally, assisted in the development and promotion of materials increasing awareness of FTA opportunities for SMEs nationwide.
Co-op Level 2 2020-05 to 2020-09
Digital Investment Office, BC Ministry of Citizens' Services
Victoria, BC
A key requirement for finishing the Master of Global Business program was taking action on the personal development through the past year. Our education set us up with key skills and abilities, and it was up to us in this final step to put it to the test and implement it through a co-op term. I worked with a team of highly motivated individuals during a complex time (COVID pandemic). Filled with personal challenges and growth in an entirely remote work term, the Co-op proved to be an incredibly meaningful experience. Some highlights are that I:• Added value to the public service by researching and analyzing industry trends on CIO-CFO relationships, synthesizing a report with actionable steps to reduce knowledge gaps and overlaps
• Improved interdepartmental coordination with capital projects by developing educational materials on Capital Accounting concepts and policies for general audiences
• Improved office agility by responding rapidly to changing work priorities, supporting an effective response to changing COVID-19 priorities
• Promoted the visual identity and branding of the BC public service by modernizing documents to visual guidelines and requirements
Coordinator 2019-05 to 2019-08
Trade Commissioner Service, Indigenous Business Team
Ottawa, ON
A dream of mine was to work with Global Affairs Canada, having pursued a heavily internationalized education. In 2019, I achieved that goal as I was asked to work with the Indigenous Business Team. Although a shorter term on account of starting my Masters degree, I helped a small, agile team by doing the following:• Revitalized trade mission documentation and engaged with external stakeholders, supporting the 2019 Canadian delegation to the Inter-tribal Trade Organization Conference
• Supported a team in outreach by engaging with Indigenous Owned businesses, gaining hands-on experience with database management and information entry
• Took lead on the recruitment process for a student position, developing an application tracking system, performing qualitative analysis of applications, and coordinating interviews within strict hiring requirements, resulting in a highly qualified candidate succeeding in the position
• Reimagined the development of a departmental wiki, improving knowledge transfer
• Composed communications for senior, non-politicized positions that were distributed across Global Affairs Canada
HR Planning Officer 2018-05 to 2019-03
Governance, Policy, and Planning; Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector; ISED
Ottawa, ON
This was my first "government" job, and it completely changed my expectations of what the public service was capable of. I worked with the Human Resources Planning team in Spectrum to tackle a host of organizational challenges, resulting in the most rewarding work environment I could have ever have dreamed of. I was wholly supported in bringing new ideas to the table, and given room to ask questions and truly grow as a person. This was my first truly professional experience and will stick with me forever - as I was supported in achieving the following:• Led the development of 3 special editions of internal communications newsletter by researching trending topics, performing interviews, and composing articles
• Crafted a Leadership Development Curriculum for future public executives, presenting to senior management within 4 months
• Visualized career progression guides for Engineer classifications, highlighting key growth of responsibilities and authority
• Imagined 3 corporate culture strategies with concrete actions to improve workplace cohesiveness and effectiveness
• Improved access to industry best-practices for human resources by developing and maintaining a database of HR research and news
• Promoted internal events by designing 5 digital displays for marketing and communications initiatives
My initial term was for four months, however, my Manager and Director asked me to return via remote work (as I returned to my undergraduate studies) for two additional terms, to which I happily obliged. Within the first four months I was awarded an Instant Merit Award for my contributions to the Governance, Policy, and Planning branch within the sector.
Staff Cadet 2014-06 to 2014-08
Penhold Air Cadet Summer Training Centre, Air Cadet League of Canada
Penhold, AB
For the Summer of 2014, I worked as a staff cadet for the Basic Leadership and Drill course for youth across Western Canada. As a Sergeant, I operated in a strict military environment to fulfill the following:• Increased self-esteem and leadership capabilities in youth by designing and delivering training on leadership topics, military dress, military drill, and professional deportment
• Ensured compliance to strict standards
• Resolved conflicts effectively and expeditiously, resulting in a strong, cohesive team of 30
Key results is the successful development of youth, leading to both of our intakes winning every award regarding military drill competitions, leadership competitions, and dress competitions (military dress, uniforms, boots, consistency).
Front End Assistant Manager (and various more) 2011-06 to 2014-09
Real Canadian Superstore
Grande Prairie, AB
Front End Assistant Manager (2013-10 to 2014-09)As an Assistant Manager for the front end department, I assisted in leading a cohort of colleagues to fulfilling a common vision of quality customer service and point-of-sale service delivery by ensuring the following:
• Ensured quality by coaching and mentoring service employees in customer service, upselling, and creating and exceeding performance targets
• Ensured smooth operations of the Front-End department by coordinating with other departments, increasing awareness of special promotions, improving the customer experience
Various Positions (2011-06 to 2013-10)
This was my first job and I quickly and enthusiastically took on new responsibilities, progressing from a courtesy clerk to a cashier to self scan to customer service to cash office clerk. These are the highlights:
• Increased revenue by upselling weekly deals at the point-of-sale
• Accurately processed over 1000 transactions per day using a cash register and careful attention to detail
• Accurately tracked and reported on cash-flow and accounting reports, closing and opening the store
Education
Master of Global Business (candidate) 2020
University of Victoria / National Sun-Yat-Sen University / Johannes Kepler University
Victoria, BC / Kaohsiung, Taiwan / Linz, Austria
The Master of Global Business program is an innovative and challenging graduate program that sees students learn advanced topics of business in up to four different countries, building the skills and global knowledge required to succeed in a world that is increasingly relying on international stakeholders. Having taken the Taiwan-Austria Path, I developed the skills necessary to work in diverse teams, manage cultural issues, and dive deep into the requirements of effective business decisions across a variety of fields in Asia and Europe. These are a few of the highlights from my time working with an amazing cohort of people:• Identified market expansion opportunities, including identifying ideal distributors, for a Taiwanese ProAV OEM as part of a diverse team in a class consulting project. Responsible for qualitative analysis of market entry alternatives and final report design and creation
• As part of a diverse, high performing, team, provided recommendations on emerging Leadership Development frameworks to an Austrian MNE as part of a graduate-capstone consulting exercise. Responsible for designing and organizing teamwork and final report design and creation
• Developed a Geopolitical Analysis framework for FOREX trading in a cross-cultural team, resulting in 40%+ annualized returns. Responsible for geopolitical analysis, trading, report design and creation
• Identified strategic business solutions and opportunities for marketing case studies by collecting and analyzing data, discussing and qualifying alternatives with teammates, writing reports, and presenting recommendations
Coursework varied significantly, with challenging topics on International Finance, Supply Chain Management, Consulting and Negotiations, and many more.
Bachelor of Commerce in International Business 2019
Macewan University
Edmonton, AB
The Bachelor of Commerce helped define the foundation for my education, enabling me in developing strong skills in presentation, research, analysis, and writing, among many others. A sharp business acumen was developed through intensive case studies, helping to understand the world around us and to build capacity in responsive decision making. I pursued an Asia-Pacific specialization, meaning I pursued extra studies in Asian politics, history, and two years of Mandarin Chinese. Here are key a few key highlights:• Analyzed market and industry trends and opportunities for an Edmonton-based Agrifood company as part of an international student exercise
• Succeeded in a business simulation by working in a team to identify business strategy, key decisions, and delegating work to functional specialists as a simulated Electronics OEM