Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Frankly, I think the importance of social media for most people's careers is overrated. 2% of the employees at my former employer have LinkedIn accounts...and that includes me. Only one former employer has a Facebook page; the one before that doesn't even have a website. It seems to me that most people who talk about the importance of social media are the marketers, social media consultants, and resume writers who spend their time congratulating themselves over getting it and assuming that the entire planet has jobs that function similarly to their own.

In my life, I've been a mover, a barista, a mailman, a substitute teacher, a permit technician, a computer repair tech, a farmer, and an author. I have a degree in Physics and an interest in hydrology and horticulture. My total experience in hydrology is reading books, flooding my sandbox as a child so I could dig canals, and trying to dam the stream by my great-grandmother's house with river rocks. I never considered a career in horticulture until I decided that I liked eating more than being a small business owner and a nearby greenhouse was hiring. Where I agree whole-heartily with career experts: none of the above are particularly good ways of trying to start your career.

I also hate the importance that networking has in job searching. I hate it because I suck at it. I attend a weekly job searcher networking meeting, and have used it to meet a total of 3 people in the water resources industry. But at least I get free coffee. :)

I seem to be a magnet for absurdity. I've been laid off a week after getting a promotion. At a DUI checkpoint, I failed a field sobriety test...even though I don't drink (breathalyzer proved my innocence). I live in a town with more than a dozen breweries...even though I don't drink. It's gotten better now that Google incorporates social media profiles in their search results (okay, one thing that it's good for), but most of the results for a search of my name are for a South African cricket player and quasi-British noble.

Work History

• RoadSafe Traffic
• Flagger
• August 2011 to Present

• I provide traffic control at road construction sites. Currently stationed at the highway construction project at the Windsor exit of I-25

• SEAM Publishing
• Editor
• December 2011 to Present

• I edit and format ebooks to convert them into e-reader friendly formats. I also help you get your book listed on Amazon & Barnes & Noble

• Major Greenhouses
• Assistant Grower
• May 2008 to July 2009

• * Maintained a variety of annual and perennial plants, including seeding, transplanting, watering, weeding, and spacing flats and pots.
  * Picked customer orders and load trucks for delivery.
  * Operated various farm tractors and other heavy equipment including forklift and bulldozer.

• Antro Technologies
• Owner
• June 2001 to May 2008

• * Conducted research via various trade publications and product review websites to determine trends in technology growth and consumer.
  * Setup and repaired customer computers and networks on-site and at office.
  * Designed custom computer systems based on customer needs and budget.
  * Trained and oversaw work of employee/intern.

• J&J Staffing Resources
• Various temporary assignments
• March 2004 to May 2006

• * Created and maintained various Excel databases.
  * Used various specialized machinery and software designed for specific tasks such as shipping and collections.
  * Answered inquiries from clients via multiple channels.
  * Assembled relevant documents to compile reports for use by supervisors and other departments..
  * Recognized by Office of Governor Corzine for quality customer service in a state-run office.

• Gulley Greenhouse
• Head Puller
• March 2010 to July 2011

• * Head of pullers, directing work of other seasonal pullers.
  * Specialize in annuals.
  * Master of hanging baskets.
  * Pick customer orders & assist in packing and loading.
  * Assist in Updating inventory.

Education

• The College of New Jersey
• Physics, Earth Sciences
• 2009 - 2009

• Returned to school to complete degree. Final year GPA: 3.69

• The College of New Jersey
• Physics, Education
• 1999 - 2004

• Left school