Employment Snapshot: Worked part time 14 hours a week as a store associate providing friendly customer service and managing store inventory of Asian goods.Employment Summary: I began working at Asian Delight Marketplace this fall with the intention of working somewhere where I could exercise my social skills and stay connected to Japanese culture. Through my interactions with customers, I practiced my customer service skills and have even had conversations with people from Japan. Within my work duties, I'm responsible for checking expiration dates and freezer temperatures, unboxing shipments, using ladders to stock shelves, using a barcode scanner, memorizing produce, and pushing carts with heavy loads. Managing the store's inventory allowed my to become more familiar with Japanese ingredients, produce, and other products. I'm also responsible for counting change from the cash register and handling receipts at the check out line.

Employment Snapshot: Developed cartoon mascot characters to help inform people about affordable housing and enhance company training methods.Employment Summary: I'm currently working with Diamond BCS, an affordable housing company, to develop and design business animal mascot characters, which I've been told are being used to help inform others about affordable housing and have improved visual engagement during staff training sessions. Working as a freelance artist has allowed me to create art for clients regularly through a self-encouraged schedule and diversify my design skillset through creative ideation and problem solving. This position allows me to use my talent and passion for illustration to educate and entertain. Through this job, I've been able to participate in positive communication with my client through emails and virtual / in-person meetings, and enhance my project management skills and workflow through the Notion workspace software.

I was tasked with reading 2 volumes of an autobiography, "Searching for My Identity," after which I exercised my Japanese comprehension skills to read over Japanese-translated versions of the books and double check for translation errors in order to assist in the promotion of the books in Japan.

Employment Snapshot:Developed sticker and character designs to encourage Grand Valley State University students to study abroad. (10 hours/week)Employment Summary:I worked with GVSU's Padnos International Center to design stickers and create an official mascot character to promote study abroad among students. The mascot, Wander, is a dog whose colors resembles the Earth's, and can travel around the world with her propeller ears. Her name is a pun combining the Japanese onomatopoeia, "wan-wan," and the word "wander." The stickers feature Wander in various places across the globe, from Machu Picchu and Big Ben, to Himeji Castle. This position allowed me to diversify my design skillset through creative ideation and use my art to encourage others to pursue other cultures and languages. I also gained technical skills by using Canva for post-design elements, and meeting over Zoom to discuss ideas and revisions. The stickers have since been handed out at study abroad fairs, and my art has been used in study abroad promotional material. Wander even gained yuru-chara status recognition from JCMU on social media.

Assisted with Media I introductory film course as a TATasks included:* Set up and helped demo film equipment and software for beginning students* Made reservations for film equipment prior to class time* Encouraged positive energy and student participation that helped create an approachable class environment* Made connections with students and passed down information about beneficial resources* Adapted to the classroom environment and course schedule

Employment Snapshot: Worked as a front desk cultural ambassador, to assist language students with project resources and cultivated a comforting environment for staff and students. (6 hours a week)Employment Summary: At the core, working as a student employee at the LRC meant community building and fostering environments for students to talk about language and culture. Behind the front desk, I was tasked with scheduling lab reservations for language classes and clubs, answering phone calls and emails, printing papers, renting out media and equipment, assisting with language placement testing, and general customer service. I also learned technical skills on the job, such as digitizing DVDs with Handbrake and Panopto, providing tech support through fixing projector / computer issues, assisting with camera recording projects, and displaying content on the TV suitable for a social and study-focused environment. Lab maintenance was also a crucial duty, which involved cleaning the labs, managing the coffee, tea, and snack area, and locking / opening up.

Worked as a student worker at the ceramics studio preparing clay and glaze materials for classes Tasks included:* Mixing clay / glaze, measuring materials with scale* Practicing safe work etiquette while utilizing mechanical blender tools and Soldner clay mixing machine (wearing a mask while mixing powder ingredients)* Workshop maintenance (mopping floor, clearing debris, cleaning out materials and cups, throwing out trash)* Lifting heavy objects (clay materials in shed, bricks, clay carts)* Learning new skills (appropriate glaze and clay consistency)

Referred by my professor to tutor a middle school student in Japanese 101 with the Genki textbook over virtual calls. Included lesson planning, vocabulary and grammar breakdown, and speaking practice.Tasks Included:*Lesson planning, language practice, grammar breakdown, speaking practice (skits), vocabulary (kanji memorization and pronunciation)*Practiced finding fun, interactive, and effective methods of teaching*Going over assignments, double checking work

I took part in an internship with Michael Lynn Animation Studio during my Junior year of college. I was the Lead Character Designer for "Little Fosters" Book Project, and Background Artist for "Wimee's Words" (https://wimee.tv/)Tasks included:* Developed characters and backgrounds for various projects* Learned and exercised techniques to develop character and background sheets + effective character designs and concept art (using silhouettes for stronger designs, variation for color concept stage)* Practiced continuous revision of artistic skills* Learned skills for project and time management (keeping track of hours, attending virtual meetings for progress updates, meeting deadlines)* Contributed a positive work ethic and communication with peers and supervisors* Cover and Interior Page Illustration for "Nick's Niagara Falls Adventure" Book Project (https://www.niagarafallsadventures.com/

Published illustrator of a children's book on Amazon Kindle in collaboration with Author, Jenaye Lisbon.* Developed a narrative about children's health and safety * Received first time experience developing art for a client and adapting art to satisfy client’s vision* Developed concept art and sketches for characters and scenes* Illustrated scenes and characters for hardcover and E-book with FireAlpaca* ISBN for E-Book and Hardback acquired in July 2022* Printing by Morris Publishing* Trademark acquired on June 5, 2022 (Trademark Engine)* Donated books to Endeavor Elementary School (September 2024)* Donated books to Kent District Library (October 2024)

Worked 18 hours per week (varied hours Mon-Fri) as an In-shop Sandwich Specialist and Cashier.Tasks included:* Sanitizing shop* Refilling soda machine with ice chips* Mopping floors* Taking out trash* Sorting stock in freezer* Washing dishes and sandwich tools