Feature #46: Sophia, Regional Coordinator

Name: Sophia

Current Job Position Title: Regional Coordinator
Company Name: Self Advocacy Association of NYS
Contact Information: western@sanys.org
Special skills: grassroots organizing, event planning, advocacy, advising support/advocacy groups
Describe your job story:
In my last year of college, I was helping to organize discussion panels for a diversity conference at SUNY Brockport. One of the women I had worked with years before who I kept in touch with, showed me a project she was interviewing for- Self Advocacy AmeriCorps, where people with developmental disabilities learn to speak up for themselves and teach others to do the same. I invited them to speak at the conference and they recruited me. I became and AmeriCorps member in the project, supporting people to tell their stories. I fell so in love. When my two terms were done, a position opened up as a Regional Organizer in Buffalo, NY. I interviewed, got the job, and moved to Buffalo. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done and something I will never regret.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
As a child, a doctor and a dancer. As a teenager, an artist and an activist.
Are doing your dream job?
I love it absolutely, and parts of it are close to my dream job, but I would like to use more performing arts with storytelling to educate and work with communities on consciousness-raising projects around the country and the world. I would also like to work less hours so I can have more time for other things.
What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I love talking with amazing people who deal with incredible challenges, prejudice, and ignorance everyday and overcome it with style, grace, and sometimes just pure gumption, people who stick to their truth despite sometimes overwhelming odds. The long hours are what I like the least.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I just had a daughter and my focus now is on providing a good home for her. For me, that means living in community with others, living sustainably, and owning my own home.
Are you happy with where you are in life? Yes, most of the time.
What more do you want to do with your life?
I feel like I use my life to the fullest! I am involved in so many meaningful and powerful things, I can't imagine what more I would do with my life. More time to get involved in more projects and still have time for relationships and solitude!
What drives/motivates you?
People. Changing the world. Sacred states of consciousness.

What else do you do?
Dance- ecstatic dance, contact improvisation, and performance, write poetry, fold origami purses, wallets, and birds, women's empowerment talking and drumming circles, and political activism.
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Work to build a free economy. Put your all into whatever you are doing, even if it doesn't pay or doesn't pay much. Love your friends. Get involved in your world. Remember your worth- people are more than just what they produce!

Feature #45: Courtney Aiken, Chief Executive Officer

Name: Courtney N. Aiken

Current Job Position Title: Chief Executive Officer (ShowKase Entertainment), Partner/Talent Director (Finding Eve Soul Cafe)

Company Name: ShowKase Entertainment

Contact Information: caiken@showkaseentertainment.com

Special skills: Music Management and Artist Development

Describe your job story:
Founded in 2010, ShowKase Entertainment is a Music Management and Artist Development company that offers the following services: Marketing and Promotions, Public Relations, Image Consulting, Artist Branding, Booking, Event Planning and Coordination, and Music Production, just to name a few. We work with artists in all genres of music and currently have five artists under our brand, as well as a satellite company, NuLiphe Entertainment, in Laurens, South Carolina.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? Lawyer or Accountant

Are doing your dream job? Yes!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? MOST: That I have the opportunity to help the visions of artists be birthed and fully manifest. LEAST: Sometimes, I have to go into 'Mommy mode' when Managing my artists because they don't fully operate businesswise due to being so creative and artistic. It can also be hard forcing people to do things, especially if they don't feel like doing it.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Owning a successful record label and becoming a successful business mogul in music and other industries. I would also like to graduate from law school and become an Entertainment & Real Estate Attorney, and get married.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I'm extremely happy with where I am. I am fully operating in Ministry as I was just consecrated as a Minister over the summer, my company is doing very well as we are in 7 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Nigeria) and one of my artists just signed a record deal, and I have grown a lot as a woman.

What more do you want to do with your life? Fulfill the destiny and God's promises over my life and help birth other people's visions

What drives/motivates you? My Parents and Grandmother

What else do you do? Singer/Songwriter

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
To truly seek God about the vision and purpose He has predestined for your life. It's my belief that everyone can have the spirit of entrepreneurship and build their own empire. Share those things that are inside of you with the world because somebody is waiting on you!

Feature #44: Derek Barber King II, Executive Chef

Name: Derek Barber King II

Current Job Position Title: Executive Chef

Company Name: Tropical Deli

Contact Information: 404-201-8649; mrking9000@yahoo.com

Special skills: Being a child of God, cooking, problem solving, listening, video games, being a father, husband, and friend.

Describe your job story: Graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and floated around different kitchens and then one day I got a phone cal from Tropical Deli

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? The President of the United States

Are doing your dream job? One of them

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I'm in charge and I set my own hours. What I like least is slow days

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? A bigger building

Are you happy with where you are in life? Of course

What more do you want to do with your life? More children

What drives/motivates you? God, my wife, me, and my babies

What else do you do? Read the Bible, pray, be a husband, father, and play video games

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
With God, there is always hope. Start your own business.

Feature #42: Tia Mosley, Media & Integrations Coordinator

Name: Tia Mosley

Current Job Position Title: Media & Integrations Coordinator

Company Name: Carat

Describe your job story:
 I have been in marketing and advertising for over 7 years. The last client (who will remain anonymous) was a psycho bitch. I took 30 days away from work, went to Sri Lanka and had an "eat/pray/love" moment. When I returned state side, working was the last thing I wanted to do...and it was. Out of a 40 hour "work week" I probably worked...ummm around 3 hours. I was tired, irritated and burned out. So, the client fired my company, I got laid off and decided that I was not going to look for a job at all. No, I didn't have any money saved...I spent it all on food, plane tickets, lip glosses and journals. I packed a few bags, tossed them into Betty, my cavalier, and prepared myself for my 12 hour ride home to Houston, TX. As I sped down I-10, I got a phone call...for a job that I didn't even apply for...

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
 I wanted to work in a bar in Australia and serve beer.

Are doing your dream job?
Sort of. I am working in production. I get to coordinate shoots, work with amazing producers and directors...and I get a steady pay check. Hey!

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
I like most that I work with some really interesting people. I DO not understand why I have to go to work every single day - M-F. THis schedule has always bothered me...since elementary school. I couldn't understand for the life of me why I had to attend school everyday and why my parents were always at work.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On a beach, in South Africa, in some foreign thrift store, writing about my life on the back of a napkin.

Are you happy with where you are in life? I am.

What more do you want to do with your life?
 I want to travel more, meet more people and LIVE::LAUGH::LUST::LOVE, in that order.

What drives/motivates you?
Words. Spoken, written, and thought.

What else do you do?
I stage manage, write...and plant vegetables and watermelons.


What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Make friends. Every single job I've had, has been because someone knew me, remembered when I brought them cookies for breakfast, or picked their mom up from the train station, or smiled long and hard on a hellish day. Be nice to people and somehow, your needs will be met! :)

Feature #41: Melanie D. Dunbar, Support Coordinator...

Name: Melanie D. Dunbar

Current Job Position Title: Lead Family Support Coordinator, Personal Stylist

Contact Information: melanie@untamedonline.com; adornbyuntamed.etsy.com

Special skills: helping people develop their personal style, telling it like it really is with respect

Describe your job story: Well, I'd rather tell you how I'm planning to get to where I want to be...I'm a personal stylist, aspiring to get into modeling and life coaching. I am currently writing and planning for a talk-show that will address societal issues in their truest/rawest form. I have done some modeling in the past, but I'm currently making submissions to various retailers and natural hair product lines in an effort to become the face of their company. Sounds like a lot? This isn't even the half of it. The secret is dream big, work smart and remain persistent. Procrastination is of the devil LOL!

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
A supermodel

Are doing your dream job?
Somewhat...but I'm working on it and I WILL!

What do you like MOST about what you do?
I enjoy being able to inspire through experience and real talk (not what Young Jeezy was talking about)

What do you like the LEAST?
Politics and censorship as it relates to having to operate inside of politically correct rules and practices

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I'll be a media mogul and world renowned author/life-coach.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I truly am.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Inspire and educate others on a broader scale.

What drives/motivates you?
Rising from poverty through my own merits.

What else do you do?
I design custom jewelry and I create custom paper products: invitations, programmes, flyers, business cards, etc...

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Like I said before be persistent, remained focused, research and develop your craft. Exude confidence and decide to NEVER lose hope!

Feature #40: Daniel Burdette Moll, Singer...

Name: Daniel Burdette Moll

Current Job Position Title: Singer, Composer, Musician

Company Name: The Nervous Wreck

Contact Information: danielburdettemoll@gmail.com

Special skills:
booking, marketing, writing, recording, graphic design, promotions, accounting, business planning, and the ability to spend 8 months in a van without losing my mind.

Describe your job story:
I've always played music, from the time I was a child, until now. Now I just do it with a purpose and some goals in mind. I felt called to do this, I've never really felt called to do anything else. It takes alot to do what I do, because these days you're doing most of it yourself and with the help of some good friends. The days of rock stars and multi-million record deals have been over for a long time, and thankfully have been replaced with hard work, careful planning, and attention to detail.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
Honestly, I wanted to be one of the talking steam train engines on shining time station, when I found out that wasn't really an option, this seemed like the next best thing.

Are doing your dream job?
You better believe it.

What do you like MOST about what you do?
Staying up late and writing and recording probably. There's nothing quite like the sun coming up as your eyes get heavy, pressing play on the multi-tracker, and finally hearing what you've been working all night to track out. It's very satisfying, and for me, it's the most fun I get to have. That and playing packed out shows every now and again, those are really fun because you get to interact with lots of people and hopefully make them smile a little.

What do you like the LEAST?
Industry people, and stalkers.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
On the highway in one country or another.

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I'm pretty stoked for it. I dated a neurosurgeon one time that couldn't understand my love for what I do and tried to make me choose. She would have wanted me to be in college or working for some big corporate firm or something, but does anybody really honestly wanna do that stuff? Not me.

What more do you want to do with your life?
Continue to help people, particularly teenagers and twenty somethings, continue writing, continue releasing records, and having fun. That's what we were made to do, was fall in love with the world we live in, and I'd like to continue down that path.

What drives/motivates you?
Love.

What else do you do?
I drive my autistic brother back and forth to work whenever I'm in town, that's a lot of fun because he's a riot. Other than that, I help out with a local youth ministry, run open mics around town, do studio work, stuff like that.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Make a job for yourself. Do what you love until you figure out how to make enough money to live off it, you get one life, don't look back and have regrets. Forget the big bucks, if they come your way that's great, but if they don't and you have to live like the rest of us, there's no shame in that. Just love what you do.

Feature #39: Brittni Joy West-Ware, EduTainer

Name: Brittni Joy West-Ware

Current Job Position Title: International EduTainer

Contact Information: bwestware@yahoo.com

Special skills:
Making the impossible, day by day.... Showing people the amazing within, gift for gab

Describe your job story:
So, my job story is kind of different. I graduated from college and didn't want to continue in what my degree was in. (child development) So instead I decided to teach swim lessons and bartend. After 9 months of this life one of my swim lessons parents asked why I wasn't a teacher. I told her I was certiifed but didn't have a job opening.(slight fib, had openings just was fearful) So she tells me that in two days she will be at a teaching job fair and I should come. I wasn't going to go but she called my job and asked if I was on my way the DAY of the fair so my boss gave me the rest of the day off and I attended the fair. I was hired within 25 minutes of my interviews and thus began my teaching career. I loved my kids and my extracurricular activites with the students but hated my Principal. So after 4 years of persecution from her, I decided I HAD to quit. And I did. I didn't have a plan or another job but I couldn't take it anymore.

A month after school ended (around mid June) I went on craigs list to find a bartending job and hoping I would stumble upon something amazing. But for giggles I went ahead and checked out the educators section first. The first job posting was a teaching position in Abu Dhabi for Kindergarten- 3rd. I had nothing better to do so I sent the same posting to my friends and we both applied the same day. We received a phone interview within days of us submitting our applications and by July 8 (my in person interview day) I was hired to teach here for the fall. The hardest decision was ... telling everyone I was leaving. But I did it! I moved clear across to the other side of the world, I teach Kindergarten to non English speakers (they speak arabic) and I LOVE IT! My work load is less, I get paid more, and have an AMAZING time. I travel, party, and have a bunch of new people who were just like me. Ready to MOVE to IMPROVE! I don't have a lot of resources but I take what I have and entertain my students. Thats why I call myself an EDU Tainer. I educate while I entertain!

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
When I was a child I wanted to be a singer or entertainer, then when I became a teenager I simply wanted to be around children. They are so cute and are truly the only human beings that ALWAYS keep it real 24/7/365

Are doing your dream job?
Now, I KNOW I am doing part of my dream job. I want to amaze, inspire, encourage, and educate. And I am doing that. Just... on the other side of the world.

What do you like MOST about what you do?
The part I enjoy the most in what I do, is seeing a child take what you've shown them and taught them, and use it. My students here spoke NO English when I first met them. Now they can carry on a semi conversation, use English words to talk to me (blah blah blah blue fish blah blah ) , and try to read books that I have read to them. The thrill of teaching them is seeing their eyes light up when they think no one is watching!

What do you like the LEAST?
The least is the support from others (including family and friends). Its sucks when you think someone is on your side and they end up against you. It seems the same way with administration back in the states. They appear to be on a child's side, when really they have their own interest at heart.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I see myself returning to the USA after my world adventures and attempting to open my own residential school. ( In case you're wondering, as residential school is a school where a child is not hendered by home life, so they stay at dorms at school until the weekend and then return home to their families) I might even try to revamp the educational system that our children at home suffer in now... or teach on the beach!

Are you happy with where you are in life?
I am OVERLY happy with my current life and how it is all panning out! Its AWESOME!! My life is like the wind and I am moving where it blows me!

What more do you want to do with your life?
I want to be married and have a family and a dog (definitely want a dog!) I also want to try to make a bigger difference in the planet. Its amazing to see how many people know so little and how many people THINK they know so much.

What drives/motivates you?
Enjoying life motivates me! And having successful students is also strong motivation. One day your students can piss you off and you want to quit and the next day they LOVE learning and make you want to go further than what you have planned! It keeps me on my toes and keeps me moving!

What else do you do?
I sing, I dance, I write poems. AND I READ!! I love to read and with all the down time at school, I can bust trhough some books! I try to do it all... Being overseas really opens your eyes to what it means to be from the States and how priviliaged we are to do what we want to do. Here, in the UAE, there aren't a lot of options.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
Keep your head up. Search in places you would NEVER look. I remember coming out of college depressed cause I DID NOT want to teach. To top it all off I remember quiting my USA teaching job NOT WANTING TO TEACH. But there is always a bigger plan out there for you.. I mean geez.. I found my job of a life time on craigs list...