Jennifer C. Young

SJ Pottery
Bethel, MO
May 2007-June 2008
Intern

At SJ Pottery, I worked as an intern for Sue Skinner and Joe Jostes. My responsibilities included necessary production tasks such as loading bisque and glaze firings, cleaning salt-kiln shelves, and decorating small products. I was also put to the task of developing my own products to fit in with the SJ Pottery style--which consists mostly of Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired functional pottery.

Other Projects Included:

Development of "Mocha" pottery-- a style of pottery which traditionally was made on Jigger machines. The decoration on these pieces often have dendritic (tree-like) patterns, which are formed by a chemical reaction that occurs when a tobacco tea is applied to the slip on a piece.

Attending the Red Barn Arts and Crafts fair in Kirksville, Missouri as a retailer for my own style of ceramics. Not only was the show a financial success , but I also won the "Best First Time Exhibitor" award--which was truly a thrill!

Preparing glaze tests. From time to time, a new glaze was needed for various projects. Maybe the glaze needed to have a wide range of firing temperatures, or maybe we needed a different effect. I searched through glaze reference books for the desired qualities, checked with Joe or Sue about the usability and safety of the ingredients, and mixed the glaze tests.

Truman State University
Information Technology Services
Kirksville, MO
September 2006-May 2007
Hardware Technician

As a Hardware Technician, I dealt primarily with the Faculty and Staff at Truman. From time to time I was deployed to help maintain the computer labs used by students. My duties frequently included providing complex technical support to faculty and staff members, as well as listening to their ideas and helping to implement them. I enjoyed working more closely with clients than I had at the Helpdesk.

At ITS Hardware, I gained familiarity with the installation of internal and external components. Imaging new computers and Re-Imaging older ones also was a common task.

Truman State University
ITS Helpdesk
Kirksville, MO
September 2005-September 2006
Computer Support Specialist

The ITS Helpdesk was often a hectic, stressful job. My previous experience with upset Blockbuster customers helped me greatly in dealing with frustrated college students having trouble. After becoming acclimated to the atmosphere of the chaotic days, the Helpdesk position was an excellent opportunity to learn about many problems. The students have many different builds of computers, with regards to components and operating systems. Solutions to networking problems and virus removal were often a collaborative effort--one technician would try some steps, record in a computerized "ticket" what they found and what was accomplished, and the next technician would pick up where they left off.

My interest in understanding technology was tickled at this job--helping students and occasionally faculty with their wide variety of requests and problems was never dull. If you ever get a banana smashed on your laptop keyboard, you can probably just wipe it with a damp cloth, let it dry for a day or two, and watch it work again!

Westin Crown Center
Kansas City, MO
June 2005-August 2005
Service Express Attendant

During the first part of my shift, I would deliver breakfast to guests. I was responsible for making sure the meal was correctly prepared, and gathering any necessary condiments or utensils required for the meal. Frequently I would encounter guests who needed other services, and I would relay their needs to the appropriate hotel staff.

After the "breakfast rush" was over, I would print out a list of the guests checking out that day, then systematically check and restock their mini bars. Especially during busy times when one guest might be checking in to the same room another checked out of just hours before, it was imperative to be efficient and accurate when restocking.

My job at the Westin was often challenging--there were often guests who were dissatisfied with their stay in general, or guests with specific (and sometimes bizarre) requests. I enjoyed being on the front lines of customer service; however, and greatly developed my problem-solving and interpersonal skills in doing so.

Blockbuster
St. Louis, MO
May 2004-August 2004, July 2002-July 2003
Customer Service Representative

Working at Blockbuster, I got my first taste of Customer Service. My experiences included both positive and negative extremes. Because one customer was upset with a $3.99 late fee, he threatened physical harm, and fired a string of colorful profanities at me. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there was a woman with several young kids that would request me by name to give her and her children movie suggestions.

During the weekends, my time was filled with actively selling products and promotional items, operating a cash register, and making suggestions to customers. During the slower weekdays, I would keep busy by straightening shelves, familiarizing myself with movie knowledge, and brainstorming with other employees about promotions for upcoming movie releases and seasons.