annalee sasahara
PEOPLE + CULTURE
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ABOUT
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ORGANIZATION
COLLABORATION
CREATIVITY
CONTACT & THANK YOU
A FEW IMAGES OF THE THINGS I HOLD NEAR + DEAR
WHY PEOPLE + CULTURE? Ever since I was a kid, I have struggled to grasp why anyone would spend so much of their life at a job they are not completely in love with. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that the world isn’t straightforward and that work isn’t always fun, but regardless, bills have to be paid and jobs need to get done in order for our world to function. However, after diving deep into organizational research and communication theories, I have come to the conclusion that with the right ingredients, the workplace can be one full of laughter, joy, and fulfillment even in the least glamorous organizations. Adopting a People + Culture mindset allows organizations to do just that. This mindset prioritizes trust among employees, empathy in every area of the organization, and creating core values and norms that employees can connect to. It emphasizes growth and innovation and is ever changing in order to continually make an organization a place where employees feel excited to come to work. This is the philosophy I take into every workplace I am a part of and am beyond excited to cultivate company cultures that embody these practices.
organization YOUR GO-TO GAL
being highly skilled in organization means I have the capacity to efficiently operate several moving parts, excellent time management skills, and possess crystal clear communication skills.
ON TOP OF IT In my experience as the Events + Office Culture Coordinator at PLNU Admissions, I tackle organization with the classic one-two punch: a physical and virtual calendar. My physical planner contains everything I need to accomplish both my professional and personal goals including daily to-do lists, long term projects, and every social engagement planned for the year so far. Google Calendar fills in the gaps by providing real time reminders, meeting invites, and even designated time for self care. In this position, I have also been responsible for planning innovative and unforgettable events for prospective students and families by coordinating and maintaining relationships with vendors, leading a team of student event workers, and managing all the little details including scheduling, event flow, and decor.
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: ORGANIZATION
COORDINATION QUEEN BAM COMMUNICATIONS’ BEAUTIFUL SAN DIEGO OFFICE
Organizational Communication was one of my favorite courses during my time in college. Our primary assignment was to conduct informational interviews with three professionals in our field of interest. What started as a class project, quickly turned into a passion for networking that motivated me to conduct over 10 informational interviews with professionals. I met with Directors of People + Culture for Juneshine, Bam Communications, Organifi, and many more! This project required me to communicate professionally with my interviewees, organize all the details of each interview including time and location, send out calendar invitations, and research each company/professional with
FREE CLIMB SESSION AFTER MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE + CULTURE OF MESA RIM
whom I interacted. These interviews served as an information hub for a research paper written on the importance of corporate culture. Additionally, each professional gave me advice that has aided me in my job search as well as my personal life.
collaboration PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE PERSON
being highly skilled in collaboration means that I thrive in team based environments and am able to work effectively with others from a wide variety of backgrounds.
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: COLLABORATION
FOLLOWING THE LEADER In my role at PLNU Admissions, the day of each event we put on is very hectic, and it takes a village to pull it off. On these days, I lead my team by giving clear directions about what tasks to get done, staying level headed and strategic when things do not go exactly as planned, and by trusting my teammates and empowering them to have fun while they get the job done. This style of leadership is a result of having amazing leaders doing the same for me. I also spearheaded several office culture initiatives including a free headshot event, birthday celebrations, and training and development events. In my time as a Resident Assistant at PLNU, I served on a team of 8 RAs under a Resident Director. Not being the leader allowed me to step back and learn from others more skilled than me. My boss was consistently supportive and always empowering my team and I to master the different skills for the tasks at hand.
DIVERSITY IS KEY While working as a Resident Assistant, I had the chance to work on a team to facilitate the development of community living of over 300 residents by fostering a positive and inclusive environment within the building. My team consisted of 8 RAs all from wildly different backgrounds and our mission for the school year was to work together to impact the culture of the building for the better. Our different perspectives allowed us to create events and engagement opportunities that appealed to residents from all walks of life.
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: COLLABORATION
WORKING IT OUT As an RA, I learned a lot about conflict management. The biggest lesson I learned is to address conflict early and begin to work things out before they get out of hand. I also learned to approach conflict in a way that is constructive for both parties by utilizing Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s method of Non-Violent Communication, a communication pattern that focuses on “I-statements” and identifying feelings and needs in order to come to a collaborative solution. I utilized these skills in my day-to-day interactions with my residents and my team as well as in student conduct meetings.
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WHO? ● ●
The TSA and security check will implement this into their routine. Government funding would be needed to help implement this program.
HOW? ●
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Passengers must subscribe (at a price) to become a part of this program People step in front of a stand, it will scan their face and match them with their documents, giving them approval.
SOLUTION 1:
WHY? The idea of adding facial recognition technology will allow passengers and TSA workers to move and work more efficiently. Passengers and TSA workers will feel less stressed and overwhelmed.
Too many moving parts in security process causes need for more employees and can cause congestion in lines
CAUSES
Government shutdown causes shortage of TSA workers with no change in amount of passengers
Post 9/11 fear/uncertainty causes heightened surveillance at airports
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CAUSE 3
CAUSE 2
CAUSE 1
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: COLLABORATION
COLLECTIVE IDEAS The Transportation Security Administration is notoriously known as one of the biggest frustrations for travelers due to long lines and inefficient protocols. I worked with a group of my peers to do an organizational audit of the TSA in order to offer suggestions to improve their processes. My group worked together to identify common issues, brainstorm ideas, and synthesize our solutions into a cohesive presentation. In this project, I refined my collaborative communication skills by getting to know my group members and learning about how to best communicate with each of them in a short time.
creative thinking AVID INNOVATOR
being highly skilled in creative thinking means that in my world, there are always new frontiers to explore, and settling for the old way of doing things is never an option.
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVITY
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX A time I was especially creative in problem solving has come in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The stay-at-home orders caused all events for PLNU Admissions to be canceled. My team and I then had to think of innovative ways to continue to engage with admitted students without the option of attending any events or visiting campus. Our solution was to create a “Celebration Box� full of PLNU merchandise such as enamel pins, lanyards, buttons, stickers, confetti poppers, and personalized postcards from the Director of Admissions. I was tasked with designing and producing this box and all the elements inside. For this project, I targeted the minds of over 3,000 high school students who got their senior years cut short to think of what types of items and designs would make them the most excited about attending PLNU in the future.
Analysis: Main Themes
Theme 1: Independence
“I experienced exponential growth by moving out of state. If I had stayed home I would have used it as a safety net”
Theme 4: Reinventing Yourself
Theme 2: Desire To Leave
”You get to decide who you want to be. Because nobody knows me, I got to make new impressions on people, I couldn’t have done it back home and would have just been the same person”
“I did not even apply to any schools in my home state”
Theme 3: Community
“I would’ve struggled a lot more (at home) than I have here… and I’m fortunate to have had caring friends.”
Recommendations
1: Customizable Preview Day
Allow students to gain independence by taking ownership over their experience
2: The California Experience
Highlight the best that California has to offer to encourage students that already want to leave their home state
3: PLNU BBQ
Helps students, and parents, to make connections and have a community of people to relate to when they move to San Diego.
4: Bonfi firre
Give students the opportunity to symbolize the ways in which they can reinvent themselves when coming to college out of state
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVITY
STRATEGIC THINKING While in a course learning about consumer behavior, I conducted a qualitative research study in order to craft recommendations for increasing the out-of-state student population at PLNU. I interviewed eight out-of-state students to uncover four main themes of this type of student experience. I then used these themes to craft four solutions to the declining out-of-state population at PLNU. These solutions gave PLNU Admissions strategic marketing tactics based on my new understanding of this demographic.
Out of State Students
Lexi, John, Je, Annalee
SKILL SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVITY
INNOVATION STATION During my time in school, I designed a brand manual for a fictional museum that I created. “The Yesterday” is a museum located in Seattle that highlights the wondrous pop culture of the Space Age. Along with the brand identity, I created the museum’s marketing strategy and promotional materials using Adobe Suite. This project challenged me to think of ideas that have never been done before, while also remaining realistic to what could actually gain traction and succeed if it were to exist in the real world.
philosophy of fun A value that I hold dear is one I stole from Mary Poppins in that in every job that must be done there is an element of fun. I believe that no matter what line of work you find yourself in, fun can be found. Even in moments of high stress, deadlines, or budget cuts, there is positivity and a sense of lightheartedness just below the surface. In every workplace, there are times that are hard no matter how you spin the situation. However, I believe that employees that choose to find joy in their work prove to be more resilient and more content in their positions. This is a skill I have worked hard to refine and try to encourage those I work with to do the same. Whether it be planning employee happy hours or practicing bold empathy, I do my best to find the fun in every workplace I encounter.
THANK YOU TO... MY FAMILY who always encourage me to follow my wildest dreams COURTNEY MAYER who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself MY “CLASS FRIENDS” who have become my lifelong besties MADDIE FRITH for sitting next to me on my first day of college PHOEBE, LAUREN, COURTNEY, & BRILEY for laughing and crying with me at all times ZACHARY for loving me and always taking me on new adventures
DESIGNER: annalee sasahara PRINTER: parabo press IMAGES: original & unsplash
let’s get in touch PHONE 925+431+9683
EMAIL annaleesasahara @gmail.com