Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: Being globally aware is a huge part of being successful in today’s society. My major specifically requires an extra amount of knowledge involving the communications and relationships between different countries. I’ve had the extraordinary opportunity to travel around the world and experience new cultures and ways of thinking and hope to continue to experience even more cultures in the future in order to better connect with people from all backgrounds through a common knowledge of customs and ideas.

Original Inquiry: As a student at Ohio State I hope to have the opportunity to perform research and explore new academic avenues. Research and similar projects provide students with information that will benefit them in their search for identity and career as well as give them access to valuable information about the world around them and the research process. 

Academic Enrichment: As a scholars student I take pride in enrolling in rigorous classes that will help me with my goals for success. A harder schedule will not only challenge me academically and give me a higher knowledge of relevant material but also challenge me to work on time management and goal settings skills to take on a rigorous course load while also actively participating in extra-curricular activities.

Leadership Development: Leadership development is another huge part of being a great member of the Ohio State Honors and Scholars program. I have extensive leadership training through my time in the Boy Scouts of America, eventually attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. I’ve led community service projects to improve the quality of life for my fellow citizens and students. This leadership development transfers into my academic career through group projects.

Career

Professional Summary

Dedicated college student driven to fulfill the planned concept or desired results of tasks and projects. Adaptable and flexible to cope well with obstacles and remain true to goals and that works well under pressure both individually and as part of a team. Exceptional presentation, documentation and communication skills with a commitment to excellence.

Skills:

– Digital Photography               – Video Editing                        – Research

– Strategic Leadership              – Travel Proficiency                 – Presentation Skills

– Microsoft Office                   – Media Documentation            – Team & Individual Skills

Work History:

Medical Chart & X-Ray Disposal                                                                                  May 2013-June 2015

Orthopaedic Specialists & Sports Medicine

Newark, OH

Gathered and analyzed data in charts and x-rays and made disposal decisions based on findings. Supervised and coached two new staff members

Youth Referee                                                                                                                     Nov 2013-Feb 2014

Granville Recreation District

Granville, OH

Referee youth basketball games. Supervise the site and surrounding area. Run the scoreboard and keep track of time.

Internships: Photography Intern – EF Education Global Student Leaders Summit, San Jose, Costa Rica

Education:

The Ohio State University                     Columbus, OH                                 2015-2019

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Granville High School                             Granville, OH                                   2011-2015

Accomplishments:

§  Coordinated an Eagle Scout project to cleanup and restore wildlife habitat in the local community.

§  Participated in Global Student Leaders Summits in Shanghai, China & San Jose, Costa Rica

§  Graduated Granville High School with Honors

Certifications:

  • EFSET EXPRESS High Proficiency (CEFR C1/C2) English

Activities/ Hobbies:

  • Eagle Scout – OSU Men’s Club Lacrosse
  • Digital Photography – Morrill Tower Floor Rep
  • Media, Marketing & Communication Scholar   – Outdoor Activities

 

Artifacts

When I think about my future career I am uncertain about a lot of different aspects of what it is that I want to do, however there is one aspect that I know I want in my career, and that is to be involved internationally. I’m fascinated by international relations in politics and trade and relations and I know that in whatever career path I choose I want to have the opportunity to travel and work abroad. Because of this international interest I tried to think of companies in central Ohio that have a strong international presence. Mettler Toledo is one of the biggest manufacturers of scales and other analytical equipment to be incorporated in many instruments in common businesses. For my informational interview I chose to interview Mettler Toledo’s Head of Sourcing Supply Management, Mr. Sean Ridenour. Mr. Ridenour started out working in the Mettler Toledo factory as an engineer, supervising the manufacturing of various scales and other instruments. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering so naturally Mettler Toledo was a good fit for his skill set. An interesting story about how Mr. Ridenour chose Mettler Toledo is the fact that in college he worked construction as a part time job and worked on a project for the CEO of the company. Because of his work ethic the CEO told him that after college he should come to Mettler and interview for a job, so when he graduated he did just that and was hired. While working in the factory, he learned about the opportunities for the role as a purchaser of materials at the company. He got his MBA while continuing to work in the factory and was eventually promoted to head of sourcing supply management, which means that he directly deals with the different sources for the materials needed to build the various scales and instruments manufactured by Mettler Toledo. Because Mettler Toledo has locations in both Switzerland and China, he has to spend time in both countries as well as be around to manage domestic sources. His career interests me greatly because it has so many international aspects. During our interview he was talking to me about how different it is living in these different countries for weeks at a time. He also talked about how the workers and employees in all 3 countries need different management styles based on their cultures. Culture plays a huge role in any type of business and/or manufacturing because different customs require employees do perform certain ways both on their own time and during the workday.

A large portion of our interview dealt with skills that would be beneficial for a career in this type of field as well as different career paths. For any business that has a large global presence as well as in the United States, a bachelors degree is a necessity, however the specific major can differ greatly. Mr. Ridenour majored in electrical engineering because his interests were in manufacturing, but there are plenty of jobs within this field that best suit a business or international studies major. In addition to major, language skills play a huge part in international jobs. Having a proficiency in the language of the country that you’re doing business in is an invaluable skill that will only give you a leg up in the hiring process but also in the career. Many foreign employees and business partners are more comfortable with people who can discuss business in their native language. It also signifies an in depth investment in the business by mastering other languages. Other desired abilities include communication skills, presentation skills as well as knowledge of other cultures and an obvious knowledge of business skills and practices. Business classes are very valuable to aspiring business students, especially classes that focus on the global scale. For a career like Mr. Ridenour, classes focusing on supply chain and purchasing are necessary to gain a basic understanding. The future of this career is very positive. Everyday the world “gets smaller” because of expanding global businesses. US companies will only continue to expand to more and more countries and will need people to go to those countries and mediate conflicts and continue growing the business and its goals. There are many jobs other than purchasing that have the opportunities to work abroad. Lots of companies employ marketing executives to travel abroad and see what kind of advertisements foreign populations respond to. It’s obvious that custom and culture greatly shape how and why people buy what they buy and there are many opportunities for marketing in foreign countries by US businesses. Mettler Toledo does do internships in all 3 of their locations. Students have the opportunity to intern and live in China or Switzerland to see if working and living abroad is a good fit for them. There are also internship opportunities at their headquarters in Ohio to see what the job is like in the United States.

I gained a tremendous amount of information about career opportunities within this field. Before learning more about the business aspect international studies I thought that my only options for careers would be strictly limited to go into a government job. After interviewing Mr. Ridenour he said that a student with a major in international studies who has a good knowledge of business information and whose minoring in Chinese is a definite candidate for many employers. He said that in today’s workplace, employers are always looking for qualified applicants who took the time to create an academic college course load that would prepare them well for careers after college. Mr. Ridenour really enjoys his job too. Because of his obligation to travel around world he has had the opportunity to experience living in foreign countries for extended amount of times as well as take his family abroad to experience these cultures as well. I learned so much from this interview and it helped shape my college plan and helped me narrow down my career options after college. After the interview, my passion for international relations was only strengthened and I was more hopeful for a successful career that didn’t limit me to a government job coming out of college. I’ve been in contact with Mr. Ridenour and Mettler Toledo and am getting more information about interning abroad next summer.

About Me

My name is Jack Westerheide and I am from Granville, Ohio. I’m currently majoring in International Studies at Ohio State however I have a large range of hobbies and interests which drive me to pursue activities and education in many different areas. I love the outdoors, adventuring and traveling and am always up to experience something new whether it be diving with sharks or backpacking the Swiss Alps.

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I believe the best way to learn something is to experience it first hand outside of a classroom setting because you will always remember physically doing something rather than just reading about it in a book. I’m looking forward to experiencing many new things at Ohio State and learning as much as I can in the process.