Professional Skills

Budgeting and research methods courses have taught me to examine and utilize numbers more effectively and to question information presented to me as fact.. 

In my current position in Linguistics and Symbolic Systems, I prepare and administer a $3.5M budget comprised of general funds, designated gifts, and federal grants/contracts. Through a budget proposal class project, I grew to understand the complexities of a well designed and executed budget proposal.

As a result, I have developed the department's and program’s mission-driven fiscal policies to comply with government and university rules within a structure of local accountability.  With the increased accountability and scrutiny, I have optimized the use of department funds and persuaded faculty/students in my department to align their teaching and research spending decisions with the mission and vision of the department and university.

My research study on employer sponsored training as well as the background research for the project taught me how to synthesize data to draw meaningful conclusions. Through this critical thinking, I worked to increase the Symbolic Systems program budget by 25% in FY 2007. In addition, the financial savvy developed at the department level aided me in successfully negotiating with Dean’s office for special project funds—in FY07 the department received a grant of $125K to refurnish the public spaces and the Linguistics lab.

My work using research tools, like SPSS, has taught me the subjectivity of a study's results as well the complexities of crafting an effective survey. Questioning the numbers, even the ones with dollar signs in front, has helped me expand the use of our resources. The Masters in Public Administration Program at SFSU have taught me the art of balancing needs against allocations as well as how to interpret numbers effectively..

[Franz Joseph Glacier, New Zealand]

In addition to the skills developed for my professional life, I have been able to apply many of the things I learned in my course work to the rest of my life.  My friends often laugh at the way I approach travel, a well other aspects of my life—“like an administrator.”

 When planning my trip to New Zeland in 2006, I found myself wanting to get the full experience of the country in my 3 short weeks.  I conducted research and analyzed my options, contacted services and guides while keeping meticulous records of the results of my work.  I also found myself trusting my instincts and looking critically at the information I collected.

My traveling companion found herself overwhelmed and impressed by my word documents detailing our itinerary and my spreadsheets detailing cost.  But, in the end, it was worth it!  We managed to have an adventures mixed with plenty of relaxed vacation time.

[Pictured Wai o Tapu Champagne Pool, New Zealand]