Jay Kovach

Student at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities jkovachmn@gmail.com

Summary
My immediate objective is to find a position that will build on my skills & experience as a communicator, with a long-term career goal of leadership in environmental science and applied sustainability. I am a quick learner with previous project management experience who is fueled by new experiences and enjoys a challenge.

Experience
Research Analyst at Synergetics Solutions Inc September 2008 - November 2008 (3 months) Due to the sensitivity of the information I dealt with within the company, I can only discuss vague details. I was responsible for calling, speaking with, and helping potential clients. I also was to provide information about the company upon request. My primary function within the Sales and Marketing department was to do research for the company and maintain the database connected to that. Both phone and computer skills were essential to my job. Switchboard Operator at Park Nicollet Health Services May 2005 - July 2007 (2 years 3 months) Responsible for providing prompt, courteous and effective response to all calls into Park Nicollet system. This includes routing of calls, providing patient information as appropriate, paging, physician message center, security monitoring, code processing and related communication work. Received special recognition for suicide prevention work; was one of a few non-lead operators who took part in training new employees. Switchboard Operator at Fairview Health Services December 2005 - January 2007 (1 year 2 months) Operation of switchboard console, monitoring of medical and non-medical alarms, overhead paging and in-house radios, facility security, customer and employee care and assistance. Responsible for cross-department training of personnel on the operations of the communications equipment and the hospital's emergency response protocols. Rehabilitation Services Assistant at Fairview Health Services May 2003 - May 2006 (3 years 1 month) Customer service, helping with inpatients, removing of modalities and equipment (TENS, traction, etc.), room maintenance, scheduling, data entry, filing, copy and fax machine knowledge, various other clerical responsibilities, money tending, phone services.

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Third Key at Big Dog Sportswear July 2004 - September 2005 (1 year 3 months) Opening, closing, register, stocking, freight, cleaning, customer service, pricing, sales, displays, and inventory. Sales Associate at Wilsons Leather September 2003 - January 2004 (5 months) Customer Service, stocking, register, sales, and cleaning. Plant Worker at Promotional Management Center, Inc. September 2002 - February 2003 (6 months) All assembly line positions and machines, forklift certification, and data entry. Third Key at Naturalizer August 2001 - July 2002 (1 year) Opening, closing, register, stocking, freight, cleaning, customer service, pricing, sales, displays, and inventory. Sales Associate at Corning Revere Factory Store September 2000 - August 2001 (1 year) Register, stocking, freight, cleaning, customer service, pricing, dales, displays, and inventory.

Languages
Spanish

Honors and Awards

Governor's Volunteer Award State of Minnesota

Volunteer Experience
Personal Assistant at Tammy Aaberg August 2010 - December 2010 (5 months) Planned trips, interviews, and maintained the events schedule. Also wrote speeches, press statements, and handled public relations. Partnered with GLSEN, Southern Poverty Law Center, The Trevor Project, Senators Klobuchar and Franken, Congressman Ellison, the ADL, and the HRC during efforts to put legislation in place to fight bullying in schools, working for LGBTQ youth rights, and working for suicide prevention and awareness. Phone Bank Representative at Twin Cities Public Television June 2008 - June 2008 (1 month)
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Answered phones during several pledge drive programs, one of which was called "Anyone and Everyone," which told the stories of families who have a gay child, their initial reaction to the coming out, and the continued journeys thereafter. District Newsletter Director and Associate Precinct Chair at DFL SD 43, MTKA 3B 2006 - 2007 (1 year) Participated in precinct caucus and district convention, and served as District Newsletter Director and Associate Precinct Chair for 2006 and 2007. Attended monthly Central Committee meetings during my served term. My vision for the newsletter was so complete and well communicated that they were able to, for the first time, publish it successfully, efficiently, and effectively. I also began training to take on some of the Technology Director's responsibilities at his request due to my aptitudes and interests. Had to resign from position due to a serious, life-threatening medical condition. Volunteer at OutFront Minnesota 2004 - Present (8 years) Lobby Day for 3 consecutive years and PRIDE 2004. Hand out literature, canvass, oversee parking operations, handle money, supervise and direct volunteers, customer service, volunteer recruitment. Previously participated in mini-documentary. Action Center Volunteer at ACLU 2001 - Present (11 years) Compose and send letters to legislators. Volunteer at Family Investment Center 2001 - Present (11 years) Continue as youth reference/advisor/peer counselor, did office work at the center. Was scheduled to speak on a local TV station but program was cancelled as a result of influence by opposition. Group Speaker at East Central Minnesota Men's Circle 2002 - 2002 (less than a year) Group speaker on the issue of harassment of gay students in public high schools, wrote article in this regard for local newspapers. Volunteer at American Red Cross 1999 - 2001 (2 years) Various classes that enabled me to provide emergency relief. Volunteer at Crisis Nursery 1997 - 2001 (4 years) Ran booths at local fairs, operated a self-esteem button-making class for kids ("I am special" button), spoke to community groups, raised funds, recruited volunteers.

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Skills & Expertise

Strategic Planning Customer Service Interpersonal Leadership Creativity Adaptability Communication Creative Writing Visual Design Team Building Cross-cultural Organization Data Management Ethics Goal-driven leader Intuition Logistics Great Motivator Motivated self-starter Process Optimization Proactive Project Coordination Social Networking Software Adaptability Web Savvy Writing Proofreading Editing Environmental Communications

Education
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Bachelor of Science (BS), Technical and Scientific Communication, 2012 - 2015 Anoka Ramsey Community College Associate of Arts (AA), 2001 - 2005

Honors and Awards

MN Governors Volunteer Award, Acts of Kindness, 1999

Interests
applied sustainability, natural capital, biomimicry, new technology, thinking in systems, urban food production, global food system

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Jay Kovach
Student at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities jkovachmn@gmail.com

Contact Jay on LinkedIn

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