MEET GAVIN MELENDEZ
Learn About Me
A PORTFOLIO
Personal Profile
The opportunity to reflect on one's previous works is the opportunity to improve in ways that training or practicing cannot. This portfolio is exactly this opportunity. There's an idiom that claims that a master is someone who has practiced something for 10,000 hours. Can the master truly be so if no reflection is made throughout their process? Improvement comes with purposeful practice, and the opportunity to reflect offers just that. This website is dedicated to claiming my personal purposeful practice and a space where I can reflect on my work to better myself professionally.
PAST EXPERIENCE
International Trade Compliance Analyst
May 2022 - Current
Utilizing Chempoint tools such as XRM, PDSI, API, as well as Power BI, and MS Office Suite I was responsible for Denied Party Screenings, assisting the Trade Compliance inbox, and assisting in cross-departmental projects ad hoc.
Accounts Receivable Specialist, Vimly Benefits Solutions
March 2022 - April 2022
Contract position in which I was responsible for collecting, sorting, and posting incoming mail from employers paying into benefits trusts. Utilizing XPA, I would ensure totals match so that benefits can be added and posted.
Research Assistant for Professor Karam Dana, University of Washington
January 2022 - February 2022
Preliminary research write-ups on lesser-researched topics. Approached by Professor Dana after finishing a class of his, he had appreciated my work in his Race, Ethics, and Politics class and offered me a position working for him. I improved upon my time-management and critical analysis skillset.
Resource Development and Campaign Manager, United Way of Snohomish County
September 2021 - December 2021
Working closely with managements, I would make contact with employers whom had previously ran campaigns with United Way and determine if they would want to run another year. If yes, I would work closely with them to create a timeline, a theme, and activities to energize and educate the employees about giving to United Way.
Host, WildFin Grill
November 2019 - February 2021
While my main role was being the first face people see when walking through the door, I helped pitch in where needed such as in back-of-house in the kitchen as well as serving when it was busy. This position advanced my multi-tasking skill, people skills, and remaining calm under stress and pressure abilities.
EDUCATION
BA, University of Washington, IAS Law, Economics, and Public Policy
March 2022 Graduate
Acknowledging that the interdisciplinary approach to issues - particularly those involving culture, race, and gender - provides a more "realistic" acquiescence of the issue at hand, my critical analysis and problem solving skillset drastically improved during my time with UW. Navigating school through a pandemic provided challenges never faced before - offering me unique insight and solutions to unique problems that are new and evercoming.
AA, Bellevue College
Winter 2016
Undecided in career-related interests, I took to Bellevue College to acquire more insight on the world around me and what my interests may be. I worked full-time throughout the time I spent at Bellevue College and all these experiences led me to pursue further education.
SKILLS
Knowledge & Expertise
