International Business and Office ManagementWhat type of job are you looking for? I am seeking a challenging position in international trade, economics, politics, social services, tourism, or management. I have more than two years of experience working as the Executive Assistant to the Director of a social services and human rights based organization, but am interested in all facets of international business. I have studied the differences in conducting business in Russia as compared to the United States and Spain. I am well suited for a career dealing with international law, politics, customs, and cultural differences as it relates to international trade. My biggest advantage is my willingness to learn languages. It is something that I enjoy doing but it is also a vital skill. Successful communication is necessary in order to build lasting relationships with international partners. Language is the biggest barrier to international peace and economic cooperation. It is my career goal to aid in breaking through this obstacle and to facilitate advantageous operations in trade and international law. What nationality are you? I am a United States citizen. What languages do you speak (and at what level)? English (native), Spanish (fluent), German (intermediate), Czech (basic), Mandarin (basic), and Basque (basic). I also know the Russian alphabet and am currently studying the language on my own. What country or area are you looking to work in and why? I am seeking a position in Russia because the culture is the most intriguing to me and because the Russian economy has a great future and the potential to dominate the world economy. I wanted to study in Russia in the winter of 2008, however, my University did not offer a program that was able to transfer credit from a Russian University. I instead studied in Prague because so much of their history and language is intertwined. What I learned about Russia during the course of my semester in the Czech Republic is that these two countries are not even comparable. Forty years ago neither a Russian nor a Czech had the personal freedoms that citizens of other countries have enjoyed for centuries. Russia, however, has a completely different view of the West and it is ultimately this factor that has created such an interest in that region. I have no expectations for what I am going to learn from this country or what I will ultimately be able to contribute to it. I am confident, however, that Russia will soon enlighten me to that concept. I am also infatuated by the Russian language. It is the most complex language that I have encountered and I enjoy how it sounds more than any other. I have listened to several speeches by Putin and am excited and inspired to work diligently at perfecting the many dialects. What countries have you worked in? I have studied in the Czech Republic, China, and Spain (Basque Country). What countries do you have a visa to work in? My passport is current, however, my visa has expired. I would be more than willing to apply for a visa and will be able to do so by the first of August 2009. What field do you currently work in? I currently work for a social services organization in which I manage programs for human rights in the faith-based, non-profit sector. I have experience working to combat the economic instability of minorities and uneducated individuals in America. What fields have you worked in before? I was an Office Manager for more than a year at a successful, Italian hair product distributor called ´Davines´. I was able to work independently, essentially running all operations with no direction or instruction and without error. What qualifications do you hold? I have experience living, studying, and traveling abroad in Europe, China, and South America. I hold a great deal of geographic and historical knowledge and have a unique aptitude and ambition for learning languages and understanding different cultures. I am computer proficient and formally educated with a Bachelors degree in Modern Languages and International Studies. I am a people person and am able to work successfully on my own and in a group setting. I have a bubbly personality and am serious about my career. I am accustomed to working long hours in a fast-paced environment. I am also goal-oriented and willing to go out of my way for customers, partners, and coworkers. Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Formal education is an institution used in order to learn a specific skill and to prove one’s ability to perform and follow directions; therefore, a skill is the end goal and the most valuable asset. Describe the benefits of working with others Working with others is a benefit because it provides more insight, more knowledge, and a wider variety of opinions and ideas. Every person has their own individual background and experiences, therefore, each person has something to contribute unlike any other individual. Group cooperation provides more potential to reach a wider audience in the international forum. Describe the benefits of working alone Working alone is a benefit because it allows the individual to shine without distraction. It is more goal oriented and often more productive. What was your worst working experience? I have never had a bad working experience. Every day and every experience provides an opportunity to learn and grow. I have worked a great deal in solving issues in compliance. These situations have the most potentially explosive experiences. These situations and the challenge of how to deal with individuals that are acting outside the rules set up by the organization’s Constitution are the most exciting to me. One must respond with diplomacy and tact in order to avoid misunderstanding, mistrust, and to avoid being offensive to another group or member. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? Models are a guide to aid in understanding complex interactions between locales, nations, people, and institutions. In business, there are general rules to be followed and respected, but every partner is an individual and every company has their own business model and way of operating. Building lasting relationships with international partners is the most vital tool in order to build a successful career. There are times when it is necessary to take risks and there are times when risk needs to be avoided. A successful businessman must learn both when and where to react and how. What unique skills do you have? I am an engaging individual that builds on foundations of trust and equality. I am loyal and ambitious. I have a great deal of knowledge in international business, trade, economics, geography, history, linguistics, politics, international law, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, regional trade associations and agreements such as ASEAN, MERCOSUR, NAFTA, EFTA, and CEFTA. I am proficient in Microsoft Office and several Mac programs: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, Peachtree Professional Accounting, NeatReceipts, Lunarpages Website Design, Pulse Pens, and Citrix ASL400. I have experience in organizing programs and events and maintaining everyday interoffice operations. What would you consider as your 'dream job'? My dream job would be to develop an international economic and political forum that is advantageous to economically challenged populations in which the average individual labors for less than a dollar(USD) per day, and to improve the educational institutions available in all regions. I would create programs that give opportunities to those people who would otherwise end up in the slave trade or to children who would have to work in labor camps in order to survive. I would create educational resources that prevent cultural misunderstandings, political repression, and religious persecution. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? There is nothing more interesting than learning about other ways of life, politics, and the rules of language and how they set the foundations for communication. What are the least interesting aspects of your field? Everything in my field is interesting because it all boils down to economic situations. Every aspect and hardship for an individual or a country is essentially caused by this factor and the control of power that facilitates it. Often diseases are caused by environmental factors and the lack of access to clean water or medical treatment. (Many mental illnesses can also be treated and prevented.)There are very few aspects of life, in general, that are not interesting to me. Please replace this with a question of your own There have been several occasions in which I have saved the company money by changing, even slightly, the way it operates. I saved my organization USD $150/month in phone bills by inquiring about the current usage and the plans available that would better suit a small business. I also saved the company in delivery costs for everyday products that were being ordered by an expensive online website. I reduced the electricity bill and the FedEx bill and I also increased membership for several of the affiliated organizations, which in turn, increased revenue. How can potential employers contact you? ryan_burns@ikasle.ehu.es | 
