1. Summary
Highlights
SONIA ALVAREZ
214 Katahdin Drive, Lexington, MA 02421 | H: 781-971-6702 | sohnei@netscape.net
Though a fine art photographer by profession, the past eleven years have been spent primarily
teaching English as a second language in Bogotá, Colombia. Having set up a small tutorial
service, I managed to get several prestigious companies and individuals as clients: Ferrero
L.A.D.M., Gilat Satellite Networks, a good portion of the cardiology department at Bogotá's
leading heart institute, La Clinica Shaio, as well as a hundred+ professionals from all walks of
life. At this point in my career I hope to find steady work at a company where there's room to
grow, while pursuing my career as a photographer with equal enthusiasm.
Experience
Fluent Spanish
Basic Slovak
Computer literate
Proficient copywriter
Owner/Tutor
English At Large Tutorial Svcs. - Bogota, Colombia
Identify problems quickly
Make accurate assessments
Convey ideas with ease
Offer useful feedback for presentations
Jul 2002 to Sep 2013
Set up this small ESL tutorial service with only a few private students. Became successful by
word-of mouth and brochures written and designed, in great part, by me. Helped students
enter well-known American universities. Helped corporate clients move up the corporate
ladder.
Telemarketing Department Supervisor/Trainer
Solutex - Bogota, Colombia
Mar 2005 to Aug 2005
After a stellar performance as a telemarketer for some two months, I was promoted to the
position of department supervisor. My duties were varied: hire sales staff, train
telemarketers, create a sales pitch, monitor calls, counsel sales team. Our sales figures kept
me in high esteem of the owners.
Exhibitor
Nov 2003 to May 2004
Exhibited works at the gallery La Fundación Pluma in Bogotá, Colombia.
Exhibitor
Bogota
Apr 2002 to Jun 2002
Solo photography exhibition entitled "Out of Context" at The Opus Gallery, Beachwood, Ohio
Chart Checker/Coder
WSi Personnel - Colorado Springs, CO
Jul 2000 to Jan 2001
Initially sent to medical billing companies and physician group practices to do clerical work as
well as reception. Later, obtained a position at Penrose Main Hospital checking in-patient
charts for doctor's signature on orders. Finally, I worked in Medical Records pulling/returning
and re-archiving patient records.
Phone Operator
Communication Specialists - Colorado Spgs, CO
Bilingual phone operator for a principally medical answering service.
Apr 1999 to Jan 2000
English Teacher

2. Smart Training Society - Bogotá, Colombia Sep 1997 to Sep 1998
Taught classes at businesses and residences throughout Bogotá. Prepared students for TOEFL.
As a native speaker I was entrusted with the company's most advanced students. Worked for
company again in late 2004.
Freelance Photographer
El Mal Pensante - Bogota, Colombia
Submitted original photographic work to be used with editorial pieces.
Nov 1997 to Jan 1998
Telemarketer
Institute of Management and Administration - New York, NY
Jan 1995 to Oct 1995
Telemarketed company's self-published newsletters aimed at controllers, HR managers, and
other department heads.
Telemaketer
Select Reader Services - New York, NY
Telemarketed magazine subscriptions.
Jan 1995 to Sep 1995
Telemarketer
Residential Pacific Mortgage - Rancho Cordova, CA
Jun 1993 to Aug 1993
Talked to potential clients about refinancing their homes, obtained information to better
qualify leads for loan officers.
Telemarketer
Edward Blank Associates - New York, NY
Jun 1992 to Mar 1993
Worked on various phone campaigns: Sticky Bear Software, J.C. Penny AD&D Insurance,
Gevalia Cafe, Business Voice Messaging, children's toys amongst others.
Sales Associate
Color Tile Inc. - New York, NY
Sep 1990 to May 1992
Education
Acted as both salesperson and design consultant. Was assigned light bookkeeping, payroll.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography
Parsons School of Design - New York, NY, USA
Approximately 40% of the curriculum consisted of courses in painting, drawing, graphic
1997
design, and art history. Studio photography classes, portfolio critiques, digital photo editing,
courses in obsolete/alternative photographic processes (platinum/palladium printing,
cyanotypes, Kwik prints etc.) and courses dedicated to specific camera formats and
photography fields accounted for the rest.
High School Diploma
Cleveland Heights High - Cleveland Heights, OH
1990