Welcome

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Hello and welcome to my e-portfolio. Let me introduce myself, I am Caitlin Lesniak, a Special Events cooridnator in Atlantic city and a graduate of The College of New Jersey. This portfolio is meant to give a better look at myself as a potential employee. I hope that you discover me beyond my resume through the information I have shared on here and discover the value of my professional and life experiences. This portfolio contains my resume, as well as writing and presentation examples from my courses at TCNJ, along with volunteer work and campus involvement that have provided me with invaluable experiences and lessons. I encourage you to look through all I have to offer.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at cait.lesniak@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Caitlin Lesniak

Biography

I was born and raised in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey and am the youngest of three girls and come from a very close family. Growing up both of my parents worked in Atlantic City; my father is a chef and my mother a banquet server. Since I was 14 I have had summer jobs around the Jersey shore from amusement parks to ice cream parlors. I have also helped cater private parties with my father, working side by side with him to plan menus, table set-ups, and buffets for up scale events to low-key backyard barbeques. Working with my father has shown me how to be professional and provide outstanding service.

Since the start of college I have been a part-time nanny for a few families; working with children has taught me patience and time management. I have been very actively involved in my sorority, Theta Phi Alpha, an organization of 70 women, where I have learned how to successfully communicate and organize a large group of people while holding executive positions. I have also been volunteering throughout college, which helped me get involved with two amazing organizations, KidsBridge: Tolerance Museum and Trenton Library for the Blind.

With all that I have done with my education, work, and volunteer experiences I am excited to begin my career. I have a passion for event planning; whether it is a birthday party or a charity event, there is so much fun and excitement in the final outcome. Throughout my experience I have learned effective communication, the importance of staying organized, and that perseverance can get you anywhere you want to go.

Letter of Intent

Dear Viewer,

The intent of this e-portfolio is to provide potential employers with a in-depth look at all I can offer as an employee. In addition to my resume, there is information about my experiences at The College of New Jersey, as well as information about myself as an individual.

After all I have learned at school I am excited to start a career. With the combination of my studies in English and Communications, I hope to enter into a career that utilizes my communication skills. I have worked very hard and dedicated myself to my school work and activities, and now I feel ready to enter into the working world.

I have always believed that success does not come to you, you must go out and find it. That is exactly what I have done with my time in college. I have put my whole self into projects that I truly care for and have been able to work with amazing and diverse people. I hope that with this e-portfolio you will be able get a glimpse at my enthusiasm and commitment to always doing my best and striving to keep improving.

Thank you,
Caitlin Lesniak

Resume

Please view my resume here.

Academic Writing Samples

Throughout the courses I have completed at TCNJ I have taken writing intensive courses. Samples of my work can be viewed below.

PR Plan for Good Counsel Homes
In COM 371: Strategies of Public Relations, I worked with a group of four peers to create a Public Relations Plan and media kit for the charity organization, Good Counsel Homes of South Jersey.

I also wrote a sample news release for Good Counsel Homes of South Jersey, which can be viewed here.

The writing intensive capstone classes in the English program at TCNJ are a culmination of all foundational courses. Below is my thesis paper from LIT 499:Ecocriticism.

The Real Magic of Nature in Magical Realism
This paper shows the interdependent relationship between environment, culture, and mythology with respect to the novels, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and James Welch's Fools Crow.

Presentation Samples

In one of my capstone English courses, LIT 499:Race, Violence, and Visuality, we focused on the body in images and the body in narratives. For a large presentation project I researched the use of photography as autobiography. The presentation is below.



In COM 240: Public Speaking for Business and Government I prepared an informative speech about the Amazon Kindle. The presentation can be viewed below.

Leadership Experience

Through my involvement with Theta Phi Alpha Sorority, I have been able to hold executive positions that have given me invaluable experience. When I was a sophomore I was elected Treasurer. Throughout the year of holding the position I learned how to navigate the national online banking system, determine semester budgets for member dues, keep the account balanced, stay up-to-date with national and local reports, as well as complete the organization's IRS tax forms for two years. By the end of my term the organization’s finances went from having debt, to maintaining a comfortable bank account.

During the spring semester of my junior year I was elected Vice President. This position dealt with serious issues of maintaining adherence to national and local policies. As Vice President I was also responsible for maintaining member involvement. This position helped me to understand how to properly deal with different personalities and opinions. This position also provided writing skills because I had to edit and amend policies and organizational policies.

I also held non-executive positions including ritual chair, philanthropy chair, alumni chair, and corresponding secretary. I was the Programming chair for three years and organized a yearly charity event with approximately 200 attendees, raising over $1000 per year. I held multiple positions every semester and fully embraced my responsibilities and am thankful for the lessons they have taught me.

Volunteer Experience

I have always enjoyed community service and while at TCNJ was able to help the surrounding community. The two volunteer experiences I am most passionate and involved with are the Trenton Library for the Blind and KidsBridge: Tolerance Museum. The Library for the Blind allowed me to help people with disabilities attain the literature I love so much. I found a special interest in this project because the library helped people of all ages and abilities read. While at the library I vocally recorded daily newspapers to be played for any one with visual problems, performed some filing and other office work, and helped attendees at the annual fall festival.

KidsBridge is a children’s tolerance museum located at, but not run by, The College of New Jersey. Elementary school children from the surrounding areas come to the museum to learn about discrimination and prejudice. As a student docent I ran the interactive exhibits and participated in a college panel that allows the students to ask questions about the college experience. I worked with many children from the Trenton area and it was very fulfilling to help inspire children to go to college, who have been told that they will never make it. And the lessons that the students leave with are outstanding.

Other Interests

Aside from being a proud bookworm, I love to go sailing. I have lived on the bay my entire life and have a sailboat in my backyard. I knew how to negotiate a sailboat before I could even ride a bike. There is nothing like being out on the open water. During my senior year of high school I passed my boating test and have a New Jersey Boater’s License.

My love for the outdoors also includes hiking and discovering trails in the New Jersey Pinelands. My oldest sister is an artist, which has inspired an appreciation for fine arts. I enjoy visiting museums and galleries, especially in the Philadelphia and New York areas.

Thank You!

Thank you for reviewing my e-portfolio. Hopefully you have seen all the abilities that I can offer as a potential employee. I hope that this portfolio has shown that I am an individual that is committed, responsible, and very eager to start an exciting career. I know that things do not come easy and I am willing and ready to start the hard work.

If you have any questions please contact me at cait.lesniak@gmail.com.

Thank you again!
Caitlin Lesniak