Madelynn Backus is seeking experience outside of retail/sales to expand on her 4 years of customer service experience. She has worked in various retail roles including at Payless Shoe Source, Crossroads Trading Company, and as an intern at Meals on Wheels. Madelynn completed her general education courses at Santa Rosa Junior College and studied abroad in London. She is currently a sociology major with an education minor at University of California, Santa Cruz where she has conducted field research and classroom observations. Madelynn has skills in retail operations, field research, web design, social media, and office software.

1. Madelynn Backus
412 Market Street  Santa Cruz, CA 95060  Phone: (707)-237-1831  E-Mail: mbackus@ucsc.edu
Objective
I would like to obtain skills in a field of work other than retail/sales to further my experience during my time as a post-
undergraduate. I have four years of experience working in customer service and I would like to expand that to greater
lengths with the addition of a bachelor’s degree.
Experience
Payless Shoe Source (June 2012- September 20th 2014)
While working here I mainly attend to the needs of the customers, focusing on making them happy and giving them what
they want. I have learned a lot about sales here and how retail works. I also do various cleaning, ringing up customers,
unloading shipment, paperwork, organizing shoes, displays, etc. I have been a key carrier since early 2013, so I am trained
to open and close the store, as well as send deposits and get cash from the bank.
Crossroads Trading Company (March 2015- June 2016)
This small retail store downtown allows customers to resell their gently used clothes. As a buyer, I look through peoples
clothing and determine prices based on brand, style, condition, and season. Due to the precarious nature of looking
through people’s belongings, I have to provide a positive customer service experience for customers so that they feel
respected and cared for during the process, as well as provide credible reasons on pricing decisions when asked. Aside
from this I perform regular retail tasks such as running clothes, managing the fitting rooms, and cashiering.
Meals on Wheels – Santa Cruz (April 2016-June 2016)
As an intern, I conduct house calls and home visits for elderly clients of Meals of Wheels. I complete their bi-yearly health
re-assessments either through phone or through a home visit. Additionally, I volunteer in the office by answering phone
calls, updating client information on FileMaker Pro, and completing file work.
Education
Santa Rosa Junior College June 2012- May 2014
During my stay at SRJC I completed my general education courses so that I could transfer as a sociology major.
Additionally, I studied abroad through the SRJC via the study abroad company AIFS during the fall semester of 2013,
where I furthered my education in London, England.
University of California, Santa Cruz September 2014- June 2016
Currently attending as a sociology major and an education minor. I have completed classes through both departments
that involve field research/observation. Through the sociology department I was enrolled in Steve McKay’s Work and
Society class that had a research component where I participated in conducting surveys throughout the town of

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Watsonville as a way of collecting research on low-wage workers in Santa Cruz County. As for the education class, I was
enrolled in an Intro to Teaching course that required 30 hours of observation in a classroom, which I completed at Delta
High School, a charter school on the Cabrillo College campus. Both departments have helped me in furthering my
understanding of our society at large and how we can make an impact through making as many voices as possible heard.
Skills
 Running a retail environment, and responding to the many scenarios that happen in that environment
 Exposure to various cultures through travelling to other countries, as well as consulting with individuals with
disabilities in a work environment, as well as individuals who cannot speak English, as I am not bilingual. I do my
best to communicate in any way that I can.
 Experience in both field and observation research in academic settings that help with my understanding of the
many different people and cultures around me.
 Introductory level knowledge on web design, such as HTML and CSS, and making a website through WordPress.
 Proficient in using Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, as well as navigating social media platforms.
 Great passion for learning, and consistently work to do my best in gaining as much knowledge as I can through as
many sectors as possible.