Self-Employed

Digital Marketing & Business Development Consultant

April 2019 • Omaha, NE

What I liked

This opportunity has afforded me the experience to dig into a start up e-commerce shop. The company recently opened a shop in Omaha, NE where I was able to organize a technology stack used in day to day operations. Most of the technologies are able to work hand in hand with the online shop as well as the physical store front. The best part about this experience so far has been using facebook business manager, and the tools within to best target potential customers.

What I wish was different

One thing I would have done different in this experience would have been to hire a team member for my consulting services. By doing so, I would be able to bounce ideas and gather new insights that would help steer growth and assist in target marketing campaigns/tactics.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would offer anyone diving into a similar experience would be to not be afraid of any opportunities whether big or small. Before I was given this opportunity, I had always worked for someone else. With the opportunity to start my own business and help other small businesses grow, I have not only gained a tremendous amount of knowledge on what it is like to run a business of my own, however I get to work with small businesses to provide strategies for growth in their respective industries.

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Swim Instructor

May 2017 • Liberty, MO

What I liked

I loved working with families and establishing strong bonds with them and helping them learn how to swim.

What I wish was different

I wish I had started earlier.

Advice

Patience is important when working with children.

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Violin Teacher

May 2019 • Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

What I liked

Making my own schedule and earning my own money.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a studio where I could invite my students for lessons instead of driving to their homes.

Advice

Just get started and don't worry about everything at once. Taking the first step is the most difficult and therefore the most important part.

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Nanny

June 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

All day

What I wish was different

Advice

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Nanny

May - September 2019 • Elkhart, IN

What I liked

I loved almost everything about being a nanny. It was a wonderful experience to be welcomed into someone's home and help their children learn and grow.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed with this family longer. They became a part of my family and I miss them so much.

Advice

Being a nanny is a hard job, but it is very rewarding! It's especially hard to watch children struggle with things you're not sure how you can help with. However, seeing these children overcome their challenges and be successful is a life-changing experience!

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Swim Instructor

June - August 2019 • Newbury Park, CA

What I liked

I love teaching kids! They're adorable, and lots of parents are seeking swim lessons, as many have pools and we live near the ocean.

What I wish was different

That I'd been more hard and fast on the age rule - I typically only take 4+ years, and 3 year olds only on a probationary basis.

Advice

Patience is key.

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Baby Sitter

May - August 2019 • University Place, WA

What I liked

I love working with children. I also like helping their parents by being reliable and relieving their stress.

What I wish was different

Nothing!

Advice

Make sure to come up with activities to help make your day go by smoother. Having an outline of meals, naps, and activities also helps.

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Agriculture research intern

May - July 2019 • Havana, Cuba

What I liked

I was able to formulate my own experience

What I wish was different

Support from a more formal institution

Advice

Plan everything, but don't expect everything to go as planned

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Landscaping

June 2018 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

Flexible hours

What I wish was different

Worked less

Advice

Remember to take breaks and time off when necessary

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Private Music Instructor

August 2018 • Wichita, KS

What I liked

Working with students

What I wish was different

I wish I had asked for more at the beginning

Advice

It is difficult to find students.

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Private ESL Tutor

September 2018 - July 2019 • Kabul, Kabul Province

What I liked

I liked the experience I had with children and girls my age in a third world country. I learned how to teach a subject I take for granted. I was born in a country where I was able to easily learn English, but others are working very hard to learn this skill. Since it is a language where majority of people speak it and is something great to have on your resume in a country like Afghanistan, it was an honor to teach those who were not able to afford or go to English courses because of cultural boundaries.

What I wish was different

I wish I was able to buy books from America and bring them to students who were serious about their studies. Unfortunately, I did not plan to teach English thus I was not well-prepared in the beginning. Throughout the process, I found that I wished I could help more. I had students who did not even go to school trying to learn English and it is tough. I found that hard-work prevails all.

Advice

I would advise anyone to learn to teach. I am still a beginner, but it is an amazing skill to have throughout anyways academic or general career. It teaches you to be empathetic to others and not to assume. Not only that, you learn to be grateful.

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Independent Researcher

June - September 2019 • Rochester Hills, MI

What I liked

I enjoyed furthering my knowledge of the R programming language by following my own interest in mathematical statistics.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had had an academic advisor to guide my research path, but I was able to compensate for this by writing out a schedule with my dad for writing the Project Proposal, three Progress Reports, and the Final Report.

Advice

If you can’t find a professor to work under, I highly recommend doing research on your own. It is an incredibly rewarding experience and will impress your professors that you were driven and diligent enough to take on a project without their direction.

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Horse Trainer

May - September 2019 • Flagstaff, AZ

What I liked

I love working with horses. It doesn't even feel like a job, it's like I get paid to have fun. I also love the flexible hours and working for myself.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Know how much work you can handle, and don't overbook yourself.

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Web Developer

July 2019 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

I like expanding my work as a developer to a business consultant and marketer.

What I wish was different

I wish clients are more willing to learn.

Advice

If you're a web developer that wants to start your own business, it's worth learning to design, advertise, and consult clients. This will expand your business exponentially.

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Freelance Filmmaker

November 2015 • Wilbraham, MA

What I liked

Self-declared hours, creative freedom!

What I wish was different

More work, it was two contracted projects

Advice

Self employment is risky but it’s some of the most gratifying work!

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Landscaping

May - September 2019 • Boston, MA

What I liked

Great to have flexibility of hours and projects. I got lots of experience in growing a business and dealing with clients.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been more selective of clients, rather than doing jobs for anyone who would pay our base rate.

Advice

If you start a landscaping company, make sure you use your other clients as leverage when acquiring new ones.

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House Cleaner

November 2018 • Rolla, MO

What I liked

I like the solidarity of it. I’m normally alone, and it gives me time to think or not think. I can listen to music or an audiobook and just get lost for a while. It’s almost therapeutic.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Private Music Teacher

June - August 2019 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

I enjoyed working with students on finding music that interested them and addressed the specific technical skills and learning goals set with each student at the beginning of the summer.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to work more with my high school aged students, especially those who were interested in exploring areas of music they did not have access to through their school music ensembles.

Advice

Teaching music lessons really is a good way to learn more about your own playing style and tests your ability to adapt, especially when working with younger or beginner students. Be prepared to keep tailor lessons to the individual students to make sure their needs and goals are able to be met in a way that doesn’t make playing a chore for them.

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