Professional Profile

I am a dedicated and confident individual always looking to undertake a challenge. I thrive under difficult circumstances which enable me to use all of my skills and attributes. I have developed excellent interpersonal and communication skills through work experience in vastly different yet challenging fields including youth work projects, language teaching and corporate environments. I enjoy working with others and am motivated to perform well as a successful and productive team. I have gained skills in leadership and management through leading teams, events organising, training, teaching and setting up and running a Society at my University. As a teacher/trainer I have experience working with all ages, from the very young through to adults, and have developed the necessary skills in order to provide the correct learning environment for the individual in question.

Academic Background            

University of Birmingham, 2009 - 2012

BSc Economics – 2.1

With particular focus on Development and Environmental Economics

First Class Dissertation – “Conflict, Regional Insecurity and Growth in Contemporary Eritrea” 

Uckfield Community Technology College, 2002 - 2009

A-levels - Economics (A) History (A) Maths (B)

GCSES - Religious Studies (A*) History (A)* Maths (A) Science (AA) English Language (A) Economics (B) Food Technology (B) English Literature (B) German (B)  

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

TEFL Qualified  with Distinction

HSK Level 1 (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì - China's only standardized test of Chinese Mandarin language proficiency)

Listening - 90/100

Reading - 100/100

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English - Native

Chinese Mandarin - Elementary (Actively learning)

German - Elementary

WORK EXPERIENCE

October 2013 - Present - English Language Teacher - LZYE - Xiamen, PRC

August 2013 - September 2013 - English Language Teacher - LZYE - Shenyang, PRC

July 2013  - English Language Teacher - LZYE - Hong Kong

Currently working for Hong Kong based Education company LZYE in their new Centre in Xiamen. Current responsibilities include establishing and promoting the centre in Xiamen and running demonstration classes for new students. Before arriving in Xiamen I worked in Shenyang and Hong Kong where I was teaching English classes to students between the ages of 3 and 12. During this time I have also been required to train new teachers arriving in China.

June 2012 – July 2013 – Consultant – The Oho Group - London, UK

The Oho Group is a recruitment consultancy working in the IT, Electronic Engineering, Finance and Consultancy services. Starting as a resourcer and rapidly making my way up to Trainee Consultant and then Consultant I gained and demonstrated a number of invaluable skills. With a resilient yet methodical approach to work I utilised my excellent interpersonal skills and strong work ethic to thrive in a demanding and dynamic environment. I was required to work to strict targets and remain motivated at all times whilst working 55 Hour + weeks. My day to day role included sourcing candidates, headhunting, cold calling, direct sales and closing deals. Other responsibilities included training new employees and monitoring their performance.

February 2012 - University Researcher – The Times                                                                    

As a researcher for The Times Newspaper I was required to utilise my networking and communication skills to conduct interviews across campus with final year students to gather information for The Times Higher Education Guide. We were set strict targets which had to be achieved in a short space of time.

September 2011 - Investment Analyst Intern – FourWinds Capital Management                  

FourWinds Capital are a Global Private Equity fund that manages investments in environmental commodities, particularly renewable energy sources. During a 1 month internship I was taught how to analyse data for prospective investments learning a lot about the market for environmental goods. I also greatly enhanced my knowledge of renewable energy technology. I was required to use my networking and communication skills to talk to clients and sit in on important meetings. As part of the internship I went alone to Namibia and South Africa in December 2011 to conduct research on the potential scope for investment in renewable energy in these locations.

June 2011 – October 2011 - Team Mentor – The Challenge   

I mentored and supervised two groups of twelve young people (15/16 years old) as they took part in the Challenge. This is a 3 week programme that brings young people together from diverse backgrounds. They take on physical, social and civic challenges that prepare them to design and deliver a project that will make a difference in their community. I was responsible for leading my teams and motivating them throughout the programme. This required strong leadership and the ability to quickly establish trust and relationships with young people from a variety of ethnic/social backgrounds.

July - Sept 2009, 2010, 2011 - Trader – The Furnace                                                              

The Furnace is a vegan café that operates over the summer festival season. I worked as part of a busy team at music festivals throughout the summer, including Bestival and Glastonbury.

Interests

Sport - I have always been a keen sportsman which has taught me valuable lessons in teamwork and leadership. From a young age I played Rugby and Cricket at both School and Club Level. At University I took up Rowing, a sport I had never tried before, and represented my University across the Country. Currently playing both Rugby and Cricket for the Xiamen Typhoons.

Martial Arts - I have had a life-long interest in Martial Arts and have practiced techniques such as Ju-Jitsu, Krav-Maga, Muay Thai and Capoeira.  During my second year of University I co-founded and ran the Capoeira Society at my University which steadily grew over our first year, culminating in nomination for best new society. My responsibility was to arrange classes, market the society and organise events.

Charity/Voluntary/Youth Work - Along with professional experience mentoring young people working for The Challenge I have also volunteered with a Charity called London Citizens running CV/Interview Workshops for young people in South London to help them find employment and Internships.

In the summer of 2010 I completed a trek to Everest Basecamp raising over £2200 for Childreach International. I consider myself to have been extremely resourceful in my Fundraising Campaign having ran a half marathon, bucket shaking in various cities around the UK and having my whole body waxed!

Whilst in secondary school I set up a Youth Charity centred around the performing arts which enabled young people to showcase their artistic talents. We organised large events and open air music festivals to enhance community cohesion and breach social/generational divides.

International Development and Anthropology - I have a strong interest in the developing world and the people who live there. I have explored this interest through travel to Nepal and South Africa and a research trip to Namibia where I was overwhelmed by the beauty of both its scenery and its people. I am currently living and working in China which is giving me an invaluable insight into the culture and economic/political system in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. During my BSc I focused my studies towards Development Economics and invested a lot of time in my dissertation researching the economic cost of conflict in developing countries.